Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Kings of Summer Blu-ray Movie Review

A princely Blu-ray.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 22, 2013

There's really not much more permanent in life than family. Whereas most everything else can be changed to suit one's liking, the links of blood and biology cannot be altered. They can be ignored and they can be loathed, but they cannot be broken. But that pesky little fact hasn't kept people from trying. Family is a difficult thing from which to escape, particularly for younger people still reliant on their parents or guardians to safeguard them, to make sure they go to school and brush their teeth. Even in the "worst" of homes, there's often an underlying love and affection that's simply lost in translation from mind, heart, and soul to the external verbalizations and physical actions on one end or the other, and sometimes both. And that's where the trouble starts and, if it's not fixed, can lead to a nasty separation. Everyday someone runs away, very hour someone proclaims their endless hatred for their family, every minute there's someone out there wishing they hadn't been born, at least not to their parents. Sometimes, it does take some time away, a release of all the bottled up frustrations, an admission of all that's wrong to see what's really right, to finally and even fully appreciate what it means to be together, to accept that love and devotion, to move beyond longstanding pains and rediscover the magic of a smile, a kind word, or even the dreaded "family game night." The Kings of Summer tells the story of three teenagers who, fed up with their awkward home lives, take it upon themselves to escape and start a new life away from, well, everything. Yet the further they go and the longer they are away, the more they come to realize that, just maybe, life away from the warmth of home and the love of family -- even if it's not their perfect vision of warmth and love -- isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Kings.

Joe Toy (Nick Robinson) is a fairly typical fifteen-year-old. His mind frequently wanders off into its own universe. He spends nearly an hour in the shower at one time, he's reliable when it comes to missing deadlines at school, and he dreams of getting together with the lovely Kelly (Erin Moriarty). He's bullied, a bit, but that's not really his hangup. It's his overbearing father. And his entire home life. Joe's father Frank (Nick Offerman) is an offbeat sort with a new squeeze that's helped shape him into a person around whom Joe simply can't stand living, let alone sharing the dinner table or, Heaven forbid, sitting down to play a game as a "family," which also includes his older sister Heather (Alison Brie) and her sycophant boyfriend Colin (Eugene Cordero). Meanwhile, Joe's good friend Patrick (Gabriel Basso) is also living out a nightmare of a home life. His overprotective, hopelessly outdated, and eerily cheery parents (Marc Evan Jackson and Megan Mullally) are driving him batty.

One evening, Joe discovers a clearing in the nearby woods. Something clicks. Escape. Freedom. A new life. A fresh start. Patrick isn't too keen on the idea of making the idyllic clearing their new home; he despises his home life, but it is home, and who is that other kid, he wonders, who's suddenly tagging along? But all it takes is one more night of hell at home to convince Patrick that a secluded life in the woods might be his ticket to living the life he wants to live. The next day, he, Joe, and the mystery boy named Biaggio (Moisés Arias) begin construction on their very own home. It's not as slow going as one might think. They borrow tools, pocket a few dollars belonging to their parents, scavenge discarded supplies from a construction site, and pour in plenty of sweat to make a rather impressive, but by no means perfect (and certainly not waterproof) little isolated home. They hunt and gather their own food, explore the woods, and bond more closely together. Back home, they're reported as missing; the case captivates the entire county and endlessly worries their parents. Nevertheless, it seems like the perfect escape, but the boys will quickly discover that sharing a roof and living the rugged outdoorsman sort of life -- not to mention struggling through the other complications that arise -- may not be for them after all.

The Kings of Summer nicely balances its varied elements. Here's a movie that thrives on its quirkiness; it's downright weird, at times, and necessarily so in its depiction of Joe and Patrick's family life. It serves as not only a plot catalyst but a light way to start the movie, albeit a light way that slowly gains dramatic import as the film moves along. The characters are naturally and smartly developed. Their home lives are perfectly portrayed in a relatively small amount of time; the first act is devoted to establishing motives for leaving into the woods and building inter-character dynamics that will further the plot later in the film. The second act is the film's most joyful, most bouncy, most carefree, an enjoyable romp through the sort of teenage escapism of which nearly every boy dreams, creating something from nothing and gaining an early taste of the freedoms of adulthood. Of course, as the third act demonstrates, with that freedom comes consequences, and with those consequences comes growth. The film expertly depicts both in a number of ways, building towards a satisfying resolution. In short, it's a movie that's perfectly structured, smartly written, and impeccably acted. It blends humor and intelligence through a story that's pushed forward by, admittedly, downright weird characters but, really, characters with whom many in the audience will relate. It's all very well proportioned and a true pleasure from beginning to end, a pleasure for the pertinent outer senses and for the mind, heart, and soul to boot.

The Kings of Summer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Kings of Summer features a good looking high definition presentation. It's rather gritty and has the feel of a throwback movie despite its modern sensibilities. It can be quite bright to the point of appearing slightly washed out, but generally the image produces bold colors, including an abundance of good-looking natural greens out in the film's dominant woodland setting. Even in suburbia, however, the color palette impresses, notably in Toy home interiors and the outside of Patrick's home. Details are crisp and nicely defined. From skin textures to rough tree bark, from construction-grade wood to more refined brick exteriors, the transfer showcases a wide array of well defined imagery in every setting. Flesh tones appear natural and black levels don't betray a realistic appearance. All in all, this is a very nice looking image from Sony.

The Kings of Summer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Kings of Summer's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack impresses in every area. The film begins with a lively, smooth, and balanced Rock tune. It features natural stage envelopment thanks to a wide front and balanced surround elements. Clarity is excellent, too, a quality that defines the entire soundtrack experience, not simply the music. The track features some positive, well-defined, and balanced bass, whether in support of a falling tree or the thumping beats heard at a beachside party around 13 minutes into the film. Natural ambient effects are fully impressive, whether light location atmospherics or more potent thunder and rain elements. Dialogue plays accurately and smoothly around the stage. This is an excellent overall sound presentation from Sony.

The Kings of Summer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Kings of Summer contains several bonus features.

• Audio Commentary: Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Writer Chris Galletta, and Actors Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, and Moises Arias deliver a rather light but entertaining track that takes some relevant insight and bends it in a comical direction. Laughter abounds, but the track isn't obnoxious like some others that take a similar approach. There are more than a few instances of multiple participants speaking at the same time, but the track nevertheless holds firm as a fun support piece. There's a very nice camaraderie here and a good balance between basic insight and friendly banter. Fans will enjoy this track.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD): Pipe Drumming Montage (2:18), The Deli (2:18), The Mud Pit (2:26), Kelly Montage (1:29), and Drumming the Pipe (5:36).
• The Long Shot (HD, 2:59): Cast and crew briefly talk up the film's qualities.
• Frankly Speaking with Frank Toy (HD, 1:21): A collection of humorous Frank Toy character moments.
• Alison and Eugene (HD, 2:17): A short, humorous piece with two of the film's secondary characters speaking about young love and meeting the parents.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

The Kings of Summer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Kings of Summer delivers an honest, sometimes exuberant, and always heartfelt glimpse at family life, friendship, and the process of discovering that growing up and going away isn't always as cool as it appears. The film is beautifully photographed and expertly acted. It's breezy, fun, smart, and fully enjoyable as it tickles the funny bone, exercises the mind, and touches the soul. Sony's Blu-ray release of The Kings of Summer features strong video and audio to go along with a good assortment of extra content. Highly recommended.