Kubo and the Two Strings 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Kubo and the Two Strings 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Kubo and the Two Strings is a fantasy-adventure epic with some of the most inventive visuals ever used for a stop-motion animated production. The animated tale is one of the most charming and magical delights of acclaimed animation studio Laika (Coraline, ParaNorman). The film features a story by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes.

Produced by Travis Knight and Arianne Sutner, Kubo and the Two Strings is one of the most accomplished creations by the beloved animation studio, Laika. Kubo and the Two Strings was both a box office hit and an acclaimed success upon release. Kubo and the Two Strings features the voices of Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Brenda Vaccaro, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Meyrick Murphy, and George Takei.

Kubo (Art Parkinson) experiences a world of incredible wonder as he confronts terrible adversaries with the arrival of a menacing and evil spirit. Kubo is beloved within his community for telling beautiful and entertaining stories while using the art of Origami. Kubo also cares for his ill mother and lives within a cave alongside her. Kubo’s father is missing and the tales about his father are about a fallen samurai.

Yet dangers await Kubo around every turn of the enchanting tale. As Kubo sets forth on a journey that will test him and his abilities, he is joined by Monkey and Beetle on his unique quest. Can Kubo unlock his own hidden magic?

There is such a great heart to Kubo and the Two Strings. The characters help to bring out the best of the tale. Kubo is a wonderful lead protagonist and as the central character of the story he carries the film through a journey of discovery and adventure. The film wouldn’t be the same without this central protagonist.

Kubo provides the tale with a sense of depth viewers wouldn’t have otherwise. The supporting characters are essential to the journey as well. The dynamics between Kubo and his accompanying aids with Monkey and Beetle make the film all the more magical and impressive. The three heroes of the tale form a great clan together and it is wonderful to see the development of this tale.

Laika is an incredible animation studio and there are a lot of great elements to appreciate about the production. The art direction by Alice Bird (The Boxtrolls) is certainly first-rate and one of the core elements of the filmmaking that stands out as exemplary. The attention to detail given to the stop motion animation is surreal. Every frame showcases a special attention to tiny details: this is what ultimately makes the art stand out so well.

The production design by Nelson Lowry (ParaNorman, Fantastic Mr. Fox) makes a solid impression as well. The design elements are certainly fantastic and help to create a more fantastic world. This is an element that is essential to the enjoyment of the film. Lowry has a great knack for designs and the fantastical world of Kubo and the Two Strings is more special because of this talent. A wondrous production effort.

The costumes by Deborah Cook (ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls) are certainly outstanding and far better than most viewers might expect for an animated feature film. Cook helped to create wonderful and imaginative designs for the characters. The ancient costume aesthetics are terrific looking and add to the charm of the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Frank Passingham (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, The Pirates! Band of Misfits) is impressive and provides the film with a sense of visual scale that is truly marvelous and mesmerizing. The visuals are a key element of Kubo and the Two Strings and the lighting adds to the experience as well. A great effort by Passingham.

The score composed by Dario Marianelli (The Boxtrolls, Bumblebee) is one of my favorite components of Kubo and the Two Strings. Marianelli is one of my favorite composers. In fact, I own the score for Kubo and the Two Strings on colored vinyl from Mondo Records. The music lifts the action and adventure: providing the filmmaking with a wondrous sense of scale that is deeply powerful. The score adds emotional gravitas and a sense of rousing action-adventure as well.

The screenplay by Marc Haimes (Johnny Frank Garrett’s Last Word) and Chris Butler (ParaNorman) is imaginative and enthralling. The storytelling is superb and one of the reasons the film works so well. Kubo and the Two Strings weaves a great tale about the importance of family and this is one of the strengths of the film. The script is moving and heartfelt.

Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), Kubo and the Two Strings is a masterpiece. Kubo and the Two Strings is arguably one of the best animated films ever made (from studio Laika or otherwise). The filmmaking is exceptional and the directing is exciting from beginning to end. Knight is a talented filmmaker (working in either animation or live-action). The sense of scale for Kubo and the Two Strings is reason enough for it to be regarded as one of the best animated films of all time but it is the heart of the film that makes it the most affecting.

Kubo and the Two Strings 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on 4K UHD from Shout Factory, Kubo and the Two Strings is presented in HEVC / H.265 2160p 4K UHD in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The presentation is exceptionally vivid from beginning to end. The encode presents the 4K HDR image in either HDR10 or Dolby Vision. The HDR enhanced the experience dramatically and made the 4K version the one with the most visual fidelity to date.

The high dynamic range helps to expand the color field with a more robust and engaging sense of vivid brights and deep blacks. The color reproduction on the release is superb and the film has never looked better before than it does with this exceptional 4K UHD presentation. Detail is incredible on the release and the 4K encoding certainly makes the production look even more epic, adventurous, and engaging. Crisp and dynamic, Kubo and the Two Strings shines on 4K UHD.

Kubo and the Two Strings 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Dolby Atmos. The lossless, high resolution audio track is sourced from a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound core. The 24-bit encoding is top-notch and provides the film an enormously engaging sound mix. The surrounds are active and lively throughout the presentation. Action sequences have enormous depth and a sense of immersion.

The LFE is great on the release. Surrounds are used beautifully throughout the presentation. The score composed by Marianelli is beautifully reproduced and the music certainly helps to enhance the experience. This is one of the reasons the filmmaking works so well and the Atmos audio does a great job of handling the score presentation.

Kubo and the Two Strings 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes the same supplemental package from the previously available special edition. For more information on the supplemental package, please refer to the review of the Kubo and the Two Strings Special Edition Blu-ray from my colleague Brian Orndorf.

Kubo and the Two Strings 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kubo and the Two Strings is one of the best animated films of all time. An instant classic upon release, Kubo and the Two Strings is a heartfelt tale about the importance of family. The film is always deeply moving every time I see it. Before my mother passed away, I used to watch it with her and we both enjoyed it together (finding the filmmaking to be exquisite).

Though I prefer the 3D presentation for Kubo and the Two Strings, the 4K UHD presentation is still exceptional and it offers the most vivid and colorful presentation to date. For anyone without the equipment for 3D Blu-ray playback (or who wants another alternative viewing option), the 4K UHD presentation is first-rate and delivers an exceptional 2160p 4K UHD HDR presentation. This is a must-own reference worthy release. Kubo and the Two Strings is also presented with a rousing Dolby Atmos soundstage. The release retains the top-notch supplemental package included on the previous special edition. Highly recommended.