I tested the new Hard Boiled 4K Blu-ray, and this long-awaited classic is a new reference showcase for what Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos is capable of

Date:
Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Description:
Hard Boiled has been on my most-anticipated 4K discs for a while, and I've finally had the chance to test it and it's been worth the wait.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Since I started my monthly Blu-ray Bounty column in November 2024, Ive tested more than 100 4K Blu-rays. In that time, as well as finding that a lot of highly anticipated discs such as Fight Club lived up to the hype, there have also been some pleasant surprises, including the reference-quality Speed Racer and the spectacular
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie . The latter two are now part of the selection
of discs I use to test the best TVs and best soundbars .

While I havent managed to test every disc Ive wanted to (and certainly not every 4K disc released), one has remained frustratingly elusive: Hard Boiled
. One of John Woos most iconic films, it's a cornerstone of Hong Kong action cinema, and I'd been keen to get my hands on the 4K release. After failing to snag the Limited Edition, released in March 2026 in the UK, and every subsequent restock, I was starting to wonder if a Hard Boiled was destined to stay on my testing wishlist. July saw the arrival of a standard edition and it shot to the top of my July 2026 most anticipated 4K list . After yet more courier delays, Hard Boiled finally made it into our testing lab so, at long last, I was able to give it a spin to see whether the 4K disc is worth all
the hype. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Today's best Hard Boiled (Arrow Video) 4K Blu-ray deals 24.76 View Deal 24.99 View Deal 26.19 View Deal We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Awesome Atmos audio Hard Boiled 's numerous chaotic shootouts sound superb thanks to its engaging and immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack (Image credit: Arrow Video / Future) There are three soundtrack options on this
disc: Cantonese Mono, Cantonese Dolby Atmos, and English Mono. I primarily used the Cantonese Dolby Atmos, to see how effective the upscaled audio track would be, although I was impressed by the clarity of the Cantonese Mono.

There're no shortage of action-packed scenes in Hard Boiled , in particular a number of gunfights, and the disc's Dolby Atmos soundtrack makes the most of them. During testing, I used a Samsung HW-Q990C 11.1.4 channel soundbar system, and the Atmos mix really came alive. As bullets tear through the
room, ricocheting bullets can be heard bouncing off walls with impressive detail and precision. In the opening gunfight, as sprays of bullets from sub-machine guns fly, the trajectory of these bullets was precisely mapped to the rear channels, and as the camera moved around the room, the sound of the bullets moved with it. You may like Another reference-quality disc, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a winner on 4K Blu-ray 'One of the best Dolby Vision
and Dolby Atmos 4K Blu-rays I've ever tested': Speed Racer on 4K is so good, it's going to be my new go-to disc for TV and soundbar testing 5 new 4K Blu-rays to add to your collection from May 2026

While bullets generate impact, its the big explosions that deliver the meaty bass. While these explosions didnt always resonate from the Q990Cs subwoofer (down to the older mix), there was still plenty of oomph to each one. The Atmos soundtrack also displays great balance and range. As Tequila and Ah
Long are caught in a shootout with one another, the sound of bullet casings hitting the floor is audible in the loud gunfire, which is in turn well balanced with raised voices and the often-lively score. 4K picture wins again The 4K Blu-ray delivers excellent colors, giving Hard Boiled a lively and
rich picture (Image credit: Arrow Video / Future) Arrow Videos 4K discs are among the strongest when it comes to restoration, and this remains true with Hard Boiled . Textures have been finely restored, with details such as skin taking on a remarkably natural, almost 3D quality. In some scenes, the movie looks like it could have been shot only a few years ago rather than in 1992. Close-up shots reveal an impressive level of refinement, too, from the
texture of a gun to the tiny details of a bullet. Having recently visited Silver Salt Restoration, which occasionally works with Arrow Video, I know just how much hard work goes into restoring films to such a standard. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Elsewhere, this 4K disc showcases bold, vibrant colors that really pop off
the screen. The neon signs of downtown Hong Kong have a gorgeous richness to them, while restaurant interiors benefit from punchy yet natural-looking hues
such as a vivid green door in the opening gunfight. And then there's the blood of which there is plenty in Hard Boiled that displays real vibrancy, but in some scenes, also appears deep, rich and convincingly realistic. It really highlights the discs color reproduction. Image 1 of 2 This scene
really shows off the 4K disc's contrast, but also the bright sparks looked great on the LG G6, showcasing its strong HDR highlights (Image credit: Arrow Video / Future) The dimly lit jazz club shows lifelike contrast that looks fantastic on the G6 (Image credit: Arrow Video / Future) Image 1 of 2 View Original Image 2 of 2 View Original Throughout the movie, there are plenty of scenes that, displayed on the right TV, really highlight the 4K discs excellent contrast. In the dimly lit jazz club during the opening credits,
the dim surroundings contrast well with the wall and stage lights. A later scene of a parade of motorcyclists escorting a car along the docks also show deep black tones, which balance nicely with the headlamps from the vehicles.

Finally, there are plenty of moments that can give a good TV a chance to shine, too. Throughout the movie, bright sparks fly from car collisions, showers of bullets and explosions, and on the LG G6 I used for testing, they really showed off the G6s strong HDR highlights. The film grain has also been cleaned up. Theres still enough to satisfy cinephiles, but the clean-up job gives Hard Boiled a more contemporary look without stripping away any character. My 4K Blu-ray love grows (Image credit: Arrow Video / Future) Ive written plenty about how much I love what 4K Blu-ray can do for more classic movies, with titles such as 1938s Captain Blood , 1944s Double Indemnity and 1950s Sunset Boulevard from Hollywoods Golden Age all given a new lease of life. Even "more recent" thrillers such as To Live and Die in L.A. also from Arrow Video have received stunning 4K makeovers, while remaining crucially faithful to the original, filmmaker-intended look.

Hard Boiled is just the latest in a series of titles Ive tested that
showcase just what 4K Blu-ray can do. It retains the movies iconic look, both of early-'90s Hong Kong cinema and John Woos distinctive style, while also giving the movie a new coat of paint. The superb new Atmos soundtrack adds another layer, bringing out a wealth of intricate detail and making the explosive action even more immersive. It's yet another fantastic 4K Blu-ray release that Ill be adding to my now bursting 4K Blu-ray shelves. Today's
best Hard Boiled (Arrow Video) 4K Blu-ray deals 24.76 View Deal 24.99 View Deal 26.19 View Deal We check over 250 million products every day for the
best prices The best 4K Blu-ray players for all budgets Our top picks, based on real world testing

Read our full guide to the best 4k Blu-ray players 1. Best overall Panasonic DP-UB820 2. Best budget Sony UBP-X700 3. Best premium Panasonic DP-UB9000 The best TVs for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best TVs 1. Best overall: LG C5 2. Best under 1000: US: Hisense U8QG UK: TCL C7K 3. Best under 500: US: Roku Plus Series
UK: TCL C6K Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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