5.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
With instructions from her genius son's carefully crafted notebook, a single mother sets out to rescue a young girl from the hands of her abusive stepfather.
Starring: Naomi Watts, Jaeden Martell, Jacob Tremblay, Lee Pace, Sarah SilvermanThriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.00:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.00:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
German: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, German, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The Book of Henry has long been a passion project for Writer Gregg Hurwitz and it's certainly a departure film for Director Colin Trevorrow who helmed 2015's Jurassic World and wrote the sequel, scheduled for release in 2018. Indeed, The Book of Henry is an interesting film to sandwich around dino-duty for the up-and-coming filmmaker. It's a picture that's significantly smaller in scale, tonally very different, and absent any complex visual effects. It's an intimate story of life, death, maturity, and making a difference in the world. The film is a tonal roller coaster, shifting about styles and feelings as it transitions from one act to the next, but it's well assembled, sharply written, and nicely performed. It doesn't quite resonate on the same level of other kid-centric films that offer some insight into contemporary domestic life, whether tearjerkers like Bridge to Terabithia or larger Adventure films like Zathura, but it's nevertheless a uniquely structured and largely agreeable little film with a lot to offer to the open-minded viewer.
The Book of Henry was shot on film, a rarity in this day-and-age and a real treat for a new release. Universal's 1080p Blu-ray offers a satisfying picture, stable and accurate in all regards. Grain retention is consistent and light, accentuating the image's textural qualities and creating a satisfying filmic veneer. Images are consistently sharp. Whether complex facial features, structural elements and small details around the family's house, items in the diner where Susan works, or natural details out in the woods where Henry has built his treehouse, there's no shortage of visually interesting and finely defined qualities to enjoy. Colors are very well saturated, a tick warm but offering pleasantly diverse and robust hues throughout the film, whether fall foliage, colorful clothes, or various accents around the film's key locations. Black levels hold deep. Skin tones are fine. No major examples of wear or encode flaws are readily apparent.
The Book of Henry features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is rather simple, but it's also organic and capable of handling the film's largely modest sound needs with ease. Music plays well, hitting all the right qualities including seamless width, strong clarity, and balanced surround and subwoofer compliment. Atmospheric immersion is fine, whether light din at the diner where Susan works or gentle outdoor supports. There's not much intensity, though some tap dancing late in the film does send some heavier sound elements into the stage. Dialogue propels most of the film, and it's presented without issue.
The Book of Henry contains two extras. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.
The Book of Henry can be a frustrating watch if one isn't prepared for the emotional roller coaster and the equally jerking changes in tone throughout the film. Yet it's different. It stands out from cookie-cutter genre pictures, intermixing styles and themes but always returning to the tale of one boy's quest to better the lives of those around him. It's well made and strongly performed, perhaps not with much replay value but it's a good watch and one that will leave the viewer thinking about it well after it's done. Universal's Blu-ray delivers quality video and audio. A couple of extras round out an agreeable little package. Recommended.
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Collector's Edition
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