ADDITION: Arrow 4K UHD (May 2024): Arrow's are releasing Joe Carnahan's "Narc" to 4K UHD. It is stated as being a "Brand new 4K remaster from the original negative by Arrow Films". The package has one 4K UHD disc with HDR and one Blu-ray of supplements. The new 2160P image has rich color saturation with a heavy blue leaning. Grain is consistent but much of the film is shot hand-held and there is inherent softness although detail in close-ups is impressive in the HD presentation. Like the film itself the color intensity is a dominant feature of the 4K UHD viewing experience.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: 46 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Peeping Tom (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Terrors House of Horrors (software uniformly simulated HDR), High Noon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion) (software uniformly simulated HDR), I Am Cuba (no HDR), The Demoniacs , The Nude Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Nostalghia (no HDR), Werckmeister Harmonies (no HDR), Goin' South (software uniformly simulated HDR), La Haine (software uniformly simulated HDR,) All Ladies Do It (software uniformly simulated HDR), Old Henry  (software uniformly simulated HDR), To Die For (software uniformly simulated HDR), Snapshot (software uniformly simulated HDR), Phase IV (software uniformly simulated HDR), Burial Ground (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dark Water (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fear and Desire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (no HDR), Paths of Glory (software uniformly simulated HDR), Southern Comfort (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (software uniformly simulated HDR,) The Wages of Fear  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Roaring Twenties (software uniformly simulated HDR), Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition Collection (software uniformly simulated HDR), Scarlet Street (software uniformly simulated HDR), eXistenZ (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Conan the Barbarian (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Django (no HDR), Lone Star  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Suspect Zero (software uniformly simulated HDR), Count Dracula (software uniformly simulated HDR), Full Circle - The Haunting of Julia (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Warriors  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blackhat (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mark of the Devil (software uniformly simulated HDR), Barbarella (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR).

On both 4K UHD Arrow offer the option of a newly restored (default) DTS-HD Master stereo track (24-bit) or the option of a robust and effective Dolby Atmos surround track that accentuates the violence, sporadic heavy gunfire and police-criminal interactions. "Narc" has plenty of violence in the form of beatings, gun shots and the tracks handle the bass adeptly but the surround has keen separation. The film's music is credited to neo-noir specialist Cliff Martinez (The Underneath, The Limey, The Neon Demon, King of the Hill, Contagion, Traffic, sex, lies and videotape) sounding clean, intense and buoyant in the lossless. Arrow include optional English (SDH) subtitles on their region FREE 4K UHD disc and the supplement Blu-ray is Region 'A'-locked.

Tom Cruise was so impressed with Joe Carnahan's "Narc" that he, and his partner, agreed to come on board as executive producer after it was shown at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. It eventually earned double its production budget. There are valid comparisons to gritty 70's cop-dramas like William Friedkin's The French Connection and Sidney Lumet's Serpico. I've always enjoyed the performances of Jason Patric (Incognito, Rush) who is actually the grandson of actor Jackie Gleason (The Hustler, The Honeymooners.) "Narc" is a strong neo-noir - offering a moral debate about 'police justice' and the occupational hazards of an undercover officer in cities rampant with illegal hard drugs. Arrow's 4K UHD release is at their usual impeccable standard - super a/v (Atmos adopters will be keen,) director commentary, new and vintage extras, booklet and impressive packaging. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze