Review: Nikita 4K UHD
4K UHD Blu-ray: Nikita (1990)
Nikita, directed by Luc Besson hot off the back of Subway and The Big Blue and starring his then wife, Anne Parillaud in the titular lead role. Remade several times since, nothing can match this original, and 33 years after its release it’s still as punky and fresh as ever.
Nikita is an addict and takes part in a robbery on a pharmacy. She’s strung out and as all her mates get murdered by the cops, she’s the last woman standing (actually, she’s sitting) and doesn’t really notice shooting a policeman’s head off. The government fake her suicide and she’s given a choice; train as an assassin or be killed.
She rebels and her trainer Bob (Tcheky Karyo…what a fantastic actor, also – phwaorr!), tells her she’s got 2 weeks to toe the line, so she puts on some lipstick and learns.
This is such an early 90s looking film and typical Besson in styling – neon blues and flashing lights with pumping music, all beautifully highlighted on this upcoming 4K UHD release by Studiocanal. But it’s the almost fragile Bolshiness of Parillaud’s portrayal of a young woman whose life lesson is learned by realising how precious life is, that’s the thing here. When she meets a man and falls in love, she softens and we see that really, she’s just a child.
A classic of not just the 90s, but one which still holds up strong today.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- At the heart of Nikita – Making Of
Nikita Tour
Interview with actress Anne Parillaud
Interview with actor Tchéky Karyo
Interview with actor Jean-Hugues Anglade
Interview with assistant director Christophe Vassort
Interview with restoration supervisor André Labbouz
NIKITA is available to buy on 4K from 23rd September 2024, and available to pre-order HERE.
Review by Tina from a disc kindly supplied by Studiocanal via Fetch Publicity.
