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Anna 4K UHD Review

“Anna” is better than others have led you to believe.

Describing the plot of “Anna” is tricky as the Luc Besson written and directed film is loaded with twists and turns. What I will say is that Anna is a woman with a troubled past. She gets a new lease on life by becoming a model which is really just a cover for her real job as a KGB assassin. Unfortunately, Anna essentially becomes a prisoner to her work and just wants to be free. Can she devise out of her situation or will things become even more complicated?

After having a massive hit with “Lucy,” writer/director Luc Besson has fallen on hard times with the financial failures of “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” and “Anna.” It’s a shame because both films are fun, but flawed adventures. With “Anna” in particular, Besson has made his best film in years.

The 90s action movie esque “Anna” plays like a cross between “Red Sparrow” and Besson’s own “La Femme Nikita” and is filled with traditional intense Besson action ala shootouts, a car chase, escape scenes, and a truly thrilling restaurant brawl. The story jumps around in time to a ridiculous degree and yet the time jumps are filled with surprises and twists. Add in a badass female lead and what more could one want from a Besson film?

Speaking of the lead, the cast is really what elevates “Anna” from being just another action/spy movie. Sasha Luss (who is a fashion model and actress) gives a deeply impressive performance for her second film. Not only is her physicality stunning given that she did much of her own stunts and action scenes, but she does a fine job of carrying the film as a lead. It will be interesting to see where her film career goes from her. Luke Evans (who plays a fellow KGB agent named Alex) and Cillian Murphy (CIA agent Leonard) turn in predictably quality performances. Helen Mirren, however, is in peak form here as a duplicitous KGB handler named Olga. She really commits to the role and frequently steals the show. She looks like she’s having a blast here.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? Expect a bright and colorful transfer.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? The action explodes to life with this Atmos track.

Extras:

* The 4K contains a Blu-ray copy and a Digital copy while the Blu-ray release contains a DVD copy and a Digital copy

* Lionsgate trailers

* “Dressing A Doll: The Costumes Of Anna”- The title speaks for itself.

* “Anatomy Of A Scene: The Restaurant Fight”- A behind-the-scenes look at what went into the filming of the epic fight scene.

* “Unnesting A Russian Doll: Making Anna”- A 14 minute featurette that contains film clips, interviews, story and character discussions, set footage, and more.

* “Constructing The Car Chase”- An overview on the making of the car chase sequence.

September 20, 2019 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Action Movie, Anna 4K UHD Review, Anna Blu-ray, Cillian Murphy, Helen Mirren, Luc Besson, Luke Evans, Sasha Luss