Season Two begins when veteran military police investigator Jack Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson, receives a coded message that the members of his former U.S. Army unit are being mysteriously and brutally murdered. Pulled from his drifter lifestyle, Reacher reunites with three of his former teammates turned chosen family to investigate. Together, they connect the dots in a mystery where the stakes get higher at every turn and bring about questions of who has betrayed them and who will die next.
For thoughts on Reacher: Season 1, please see our Blu-Ray review here.
For in-depth thoughts on Reacher: Season 2, please see my colleague Tia Fabi’s review from its original streaming release here.
Video Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Reacher: Season 2 is presented with a 2160p Dolby Vision/HDR transfer which maintains the perfect level of unbelievable quality with this superior format. The season is given two 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs and does not contain any accompanying Blu-Ray discs, leaving us unable to compare the two formats. We are able to stack up the physical 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation with the 4K UHD stream on Prime Video, and the benefits of physical media are easily noticeable when evaluating stability in compression and detail in shadows. The Blu-Ray release of the previous season had moments that struggled slightly with compression artifacts, but this is not an issue with the format bump.
This transfer flourishes when it comes to depth, clarity, and stability within the frame. Black levels are ideal, staying deep and inky with impeccable detail. Highlights are firm with no moments of blooming that stand out. This has never been a candy-colored viewing experience, but the Dolby Vision expands the nuances of the hues with great care. The locales visited this season deliver texture that makes you feel more immersed in the space of the series. The discs bring out a host of textures from the production design, environments, and clothing. We are grateful that Paramount continues to provide the series with a 4K UHD presentation.
Audio Quality
This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with a notably active DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that creates a fully immersive world. Dialogue always emanates clearly without being trounced by the score or any sound effects. Ambient sounds are carefully placed in the rear channels. The spatial awareness of the track is surprising in the best way with panning techniques that are used to great effect in the surround channels. Action sequences and more bombastic moments are given the appropriate weight in the mix with a forceful showing in the low end. The score by Tony Morales works perfectly to establish the mood of the story, and it creates an enveloping sound that draws you further into the show. The audio presentation here is excellent across the board. Optional English and English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
There are no special features included this season.
Final Thoughts
Reacher continues to honor the classic character in its sophomore outing with a terrific performance from Alan Ritchson leveling up this series on every front. The show primarily maintains its level of quality from the first outing, but there are small moments that stumble here and there that make it slightly less satisfying. We love the group dynamics of the ensemble, yet there are story beats that begin to feel a bit repetitive. It is not enough to sink the series by any means, but the writing staff might want to dig a little deeper to offer something new in future seasons. Paramount Home Entertainment has brought this season to 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a terrific A/V presentation but no special special features. If you are already on board with the show, you should enjoy how it continues to play out. Recommended
Reacher: Season 2 can be purchased on 4K UHD Blu-Ray directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
