Boyhood 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		5.0

Boyhood 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 22, 2023

Michael Apted rather famously made documentary history when he he helped put together Seven Up! in 1964, a television piece which followed twenty children who represented a rather wide cross section of socioeconomic strata in Britain. Apted continued to make history by taking over directorial reins from Paul Almond and then revisiting these same children (and, later, adults) at more or less regular seven year intervals for an ensuing series of documentaries which ultimately included 7 Plus Seven, 21 Up , 28 Up, 35 Up , 42 Up, 49 Up 56 Up and 63 Up, the last produced effort before Apted's passing in 2021. As audacious as this long running documentary series was (and is), it may in a way pale in comparison to a similarly bold strategy undertaken by Richard Linklater, who decided to put together a narrative film, one without a really secure screenplay, wherein he would follow a number of performers for over a decade (intermittently, of course) to craft a film about the maturation of Mason Evans, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane), who ages from six to eighteen over the course of the story. Along for the "ride" are a host of other performers, including ultimate Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette as Mason's mother Olivia, and Ethan Hawke as Mason's initially estranged father, Mason, Sr. This is a film virtually guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts, and anyone who has either been a son or a father will almost certainly come away from their viewing experience with any number of insights and emotional aftereffects.

Boyhood has had two releases on Blu-ray for the North American market in Region A, and those interested in more plot details are encouraged to read Martin Liebman's Boyhood Blu-ray review of the first Region A Blu-ray release from Paramount. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Criterion came along a while later and followed up with their own, release, and while Svet Atanasov defers as I do to Marty for a plot recap, Svet's Boyhood Blu-ray review of the Criterion version provides another chance, along with Marty's review, for screenshot comparisons and seeing how supplements between the versions line up.

Boyhood 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's 1080 release of the film. Per Arrow's standard operating procedure, this release does not include a 1080 disc.

Boyhood is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet doesn't have a ton of information on the transfer, but does disclose the following:

Boyhood is presented in 1.85:1 with 5.1 sound. The film is presented on this UHD release in 4K resolution with HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

The 2K DPX master data files were sourced from NBC Universal. The 4K remastering and HDR10 & Dolby Vision grading was completed by David Mackenzie at Fidelity in Motion.

There's a lot to like about this 4K UHD version despite that "2K DPX master data file" source, one that takes some of the strengths of Arrow's 1080 presentation (which looks virtually identical to the Criterion release, at least judging by screenshots) and offers some subtle but noticeable upticks in fine detail throughout the wending tale. The ostensibly "mundane" day to day (and, ultimately, year to year) aspects of the story mean this isn't a visual feast in any epic sense, but detail levels on everything from faces to the textures in fabrics on clothes and upholstery are typically excellent. HDR and/or Dolby Vision have added some kind of interesting new highlights, I'd argue toward both the cooler and warmer ends of the spectrum. The opening scene between Mason and his mom in the car, for example, looks a bit cooler and browner in this version than in Arrow's 1080 version, but then later, any number of outdoor scenes can look at least somewhat more warmer, skewed just ever so slightly toward burnished red tones, which nonetheless never look unnatural. There is some marginal improvement in a couple of nighttime moments, but I wouldn't say they're overwhelmingly stronger now in terms of shadow definition. Grain is nicely resolved for the most part, though there are some fluctuations which can be spotted, some of which are arguably due to the long shoot and any differences in stock or cameras and lenses that were utilized. The most eagle eyed videophile may be able to spot some very minor blemishes that have not been eliminated.

Boyhood 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Like its two prior Region A releases, this version offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. My oft repeated mantra of "different reviewers means different opinions" finds another example in the different scores Marty and Svet gave in their reviews, with my own score falling in between the two of them (just to make things even more complicated). As both Marty and Svet point out in their reviews, there are no quality deficiencies of any kind here, and my sense is any reactions to the track may be based on expectations as much as anything, as a kind of wash of ambient environmental sounds is what suffices throughout this audio presentation for "surround engagement". It is engaging (pun unavoidable) in my estimation, but it's a subtle track, one that is not going to blow any audiophile's mind (and/or ears). Dialogue is always rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Boyhood 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Without Ambition One Starts Nothing (HD; 46:13) features father and son team of Dan Chiasson and Louis Chiasson in conversation about the film.


• In Search of Lost Time (HD; 23:45) is an appealing visual essay by Scout Tafoya.


• Before and After Boyhood (HD; 23:38) is a previously unreleased interview with Richard Linklater conducted by Rob Stone.


• Richard Linklater at the BFI (HD; 52:07) is from a 2014 appearance.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:34)


• Image Gallery (HD)

Additionally, this is another handsomely packaged Limited Edition from Arrow that includes a 60 page perfect bound collector's book featuring some really interesting writing from Ben Sachs, Rob Stone and Don Chiasson. The keepcase insert features a reversible cover, and a sturdy slipcase houses the keepcase, booklet and a double sided fold out poster.

Boyhood 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am (not to state the obvious) a son, though my own father has passed, and I am also a father to two incredible now adult boys, and I will simply say that Boyhood is one of the most viscerally moving films I've ever seen, and it's one I never worry about revisiting. Those looking for a traditional three act structure will probably be mightily confused by this film, but those open to the wonders of how "day to day life" can suddenly transform into a span of years may find this an unusually enchanting experience. Technical merits are solid and as usual Arrow has aggregated some excellent supplements. Highly recommended.