'Swordfish' Arrow Video 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review - Outlandish But Fun Cyber-Thriller Excess
The 90s saw an ever-growing number of action-thrillers based around computers and the internet as more and more people connected to the information superhighway. Fresh from the success of The Matrix, legendary producer Joel Silver (Road House, The Invasion) would ride the wave of this global phenomenon into the next millennium with high concept hit Swordfish. Former master hacker Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman) is on parole after getting caught infiltrating an FBI program. Even so much as glancing at a computer could send him straight back to prison, but Stanley's new offline life is interrupted when he's approached by the mysterious Gabriel Shear (John Travolta), who offers him $10 million for one last hacking job. Unable to resist the lure of the computer screen, Stanley accepts and finds himself caught in the middle of a complex web of intrigue involving several covert agencies and a nine billion-dollar government slush fund. Slick, stylish and action-packed, Swordfish is a nail-biting high-tech thriller from its explosive opening to its thrilling climax, with a great supporting cast including Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Vinnie Jones.
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Video Quality
Arrow Films presents Swordfish with a grand 2160p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio sourced from a 16-bit 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative in 4K HDR/Dolby Vision approved by director Dominic Sena. This is a very visually distinct film, and there are some technological drawbacks, but fans will find this to be a monumental improvement from the ancient VC-1 encoded Blu-Ray from 2006.
One of the most obvious upgrades for this film is the implementation of Dolby Vision for expanded color output that captures the nuances of the cinematography of Paul Cameron. The new restoration brings out the bold colors of the filters with the proper complexity. Outfits and strong lighting choices likewise saturate the screen with incredible depth. Black levels are deep and nuanced with nothing in the way of crush present, and highlights are handled with care to avoid blooming. This new transfer features nothing in the way of lingering print damage. This refined presentation always appears natural with no digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding, or other such nuisances making an appearance.
Fans waiting for this to be given a proper presentation are in for a treat. The picture retains a proper amount of natural film grain that relishes in the textural details of the settings. The grain is consistent without clumping or turning into noise. The textures on display in the costumes and high-tech production design are exquisite. This disc handles every locale with the same level of care. Some of the special effects in the beginning with the bullet time are quite dated, but that is not an issue with the transfer itself. This looks about as pleasing as one could hope. The enhanced detail and clarity will allow you to discern elements of the production design you may not have noticed before. Arrow Video has brought the standard level of quality they give to each release.
Audio Quality
This 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with the original DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio surround sound track along with a stereo track which captures this film quite favorably. One of the prominent elements of this experience is the Paul Oakenfold score that gets you in a futuristic headspace as characters indulge in ridiculous hacking exercises. Every sound fills the speakers well and sets the tone that makes the movie pulse with energy. Even with its power, dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overshadowed by any sound effects or music. There is an ideal sense of directionality when it comes to deploying sounds from the appropriate channels. Even during the most chaotic moments, like the thrilling car chase shootout, elements stay firmly defined as the low end shows off. There are no issues with fidelity or damage to the tracks. This audio presentation is a winner on all fronts. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.
Special Features
The first pressing of the Arrow Video 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Swordfish includes a multi-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by film critic Priscilla Page and an article from American Cinematographer about the film's opening sequence. These works provide a great analysis of the film and the talent at large in a thoughtfully written style. This package also includes a double-sided poster. The on-disc special features are as follows:
Audio Commentary:
Director Dominic Sena provides an archival commentary track in which he recounts many great anecdotes about working with the performers, the shot composition, the structure of the narrative, the influences on various moments, and more.
Soundtrack Hacker:
A new nearly 13-minute interview with composer Paul Oakenfold in which he discusses his love of film, scoring a movie for the first time on this production, learning the process from other composers, guiding the energy of each scene, and more.
How To Design A Tech Heist:
A new nearly 21-minute interview with production designer Jeff Mann in which he discusses his background, early opportunities in features, finding a space for
Swordfish
, creating the aesthetic for the film, and more.
HBO First Look – Swordfish:
A 15-minute promotional piece that gives audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the film alongside interviews with the cast and creative team.
Effects In Focus – The Flying Bus:
An eight-minute archival look at how the team pulled off the exciting finale.
Planet Rock Club Reel:
A four-minute music video for the Paul Oakenfold tune.
Swordfish – In Conversation:
A 13-minute vintage collection of interviews in which the cast and creative team reveal interesting facts and amusing moments from the production.
Alternate Endings:
There are two alternate endings provided in upscaled standard definition with optional audio commentary from director Dominic Sena.
Alternate Ending #1 (3:48)
Alternate Ending #2 (2:08)
Theatrical Trailer (2:12)
Final Thoughts
Swordfish is a patently outlandish film at times, yet there is no doubt that it provides a lot of unhinged fun that makes it a blast to watch. There is a practical sensibility to the production that many movies do not indulge in these days, but the tactile nature of what you are viewing on screen is part of what makes it so thrilling. Sure, John Travolta looks ridiculous and the plot is extremely over the top (and we won't get into the depiction of women). Nevertheless, you have some very charismatic performers going all in on a feature that delivers what it promises with some directorial flair. It's dumb fun, but it is indeed fun. Arrow Video has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation and a nice assortment of new and archival special features. If you are a fan of the film, don't miss this excellent release. Recommended
Swordfish will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray on June 10, 2025.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Arrow Video has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
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