Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

The Red Turtle Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 21, 2017

The Red Turtle may not be an "official" Studio Ghibli film, but the studio had its hand in the production. Regardless of the name in front, The Red Turtle certainly has that classic Ghibli feel, a film that's superbly crafted, dramatically purposeful, but readily accessible. Directed by Dutch Filmmaker Michaël Dudok de Wit, who crafted the Oscar-winning animated short Father and Daughter, the film stands as a crowning achievement of both the cinematic and animated styles. Told entirely without dialogue, built instead around music, sound effects, and, most important, the palpable emotion that courses through every scene, The Red Turtle proves a dazzling display of cinematic art and heart, a film that explores the concepts of life's purpose, destiny, and personal fulfillment even in the most challenging of circumstances. Much of it is metaphorical -- very obviously as the film takes its key turn to begin its second act -- but it's built around a well developed tale of human emotion, persistence, and love that's quite unlike anything else on the market.

A man miraculously survives a fierce, ruthless storm at sea and finds himself washed ashore on a small deserted island. He quickly becomes acclimated to his new home, scavenging resources necessary to survive. Of course, his wish is to escape. He builds a raft. Something destroys it as soon as he shoves off. He builds another. It, too, is destroyed soon after departure. When the third is destroyed, he identifies the culprit: a large red turtle. The man's despair understandably turns to anger. When he sees the turtle walking ashore, he beats, flips it over, and leaves it for dead. As he builds his fourth raft, guilt sets in, he returns to the turtle, and discovers the destiny that awaits him.

Much of what the makes the movie work so well is its ability to blend deeply metaphorical, layered nuance with a more general, enjoyable, core narrative-driven viewing experience. Its core story is not separate from its deeper themes -- they are heavily entwined -- but it's possible to enjoy the film without expending effort on searching for its meaning. Its greatest rewards, however, come from peering within, behind the core story of adaptation, anger, acceptance, and life advancement. But it's not difficult to see how everything works hand-in-hand. The film is smart, but effortless, in blending its basic narrative maneuverings -- as believable and unbelievable as they may be -- with its more mysterious and dramatically weighty content.

Without spoiling the movie, the turtle essentially gives the stranded man hope, purpose, a future, even as it seemed to, first, prevent the very thing he sought: an escape to find those things in the world he once knew. The movie is about giving and gifts, about living life to its fullest, regardless of the place, time, or circumstance. But what does the turtle envision for him, and why does the turtle decide to steer the man's fate for him? It's the biggest question in the movie and one with multiple, branching, philosophical interpretations. It makes for delicious food-for-thought on top of the movie's more practical, more easily appreciable qualities.

Indeed, the film is also a joy to watch simply to marvel at the skill in making it. It boasts gorgeous animation, terrifically defined characters, a simple environment and, generally, basic plot maneuverings through the first act, but enough to lure the audience in and shape the elements to come. The film never wants for dialogue; its core story and central emotions and ability to visually convey the narrative are always more than enough, and in a way it suits the movie just fine. Even as the story takes some turns later on when dialogue might have otherwise been appropriate, the unspoken ebbs and flows are always more than enough to tell the tale. Combine the beautiful animation with its well realized dramatic purpose and openly interpretive themes and it's no wonder the film was nominated for an Oscar in its category, an Oscar it should have won.

The Red Turtle Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For those concerned that The Red Turtle would follow in the footsteps of Toni Erdmann and The Comedian, two Sony Pictures Classics releases that have gone down the controversial BD-R path, rest assured that this is a pressed, standard Blu-ray. Sony's 1080p presentation is terrific. Beyond a few mildly jagged/shimmering lines, the picture pleases on all levels. Details are crisp and the Blu-ray reveals seemingly all of the finer object textures the animators have placed in the film, particularly evident on rougher natural surfaces, like large rocks or sandy beaches. Clarity is terrific, and even smaller details in underwater shots or within the depths of the island's interior terrain are easily visible. Colors are resplendent, a bit simplified but presented very well. Earthy colors on sands and woods contrast against deep blue waters, lighter blue skies, and natural greenery around the island's interior. The title red turtle, certainly, presents with impressive color depth. The palette doesn't feature significant nuance, but it appears reflective of the film's inherent style. The image is clean, refined, everything one could want from the movie on Blu-ray. Another top-notch transfer from Sony.

The Red Turtle Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Red Turtle's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack packs a significant wallop. It's one of the most dynamic, active, detailed, and intense listens one will find, and even "limited" to the traditional 5.1 layout there's no significant lack of coverage. The film begins with an intense, driving storm at sea. Waves crash, rainfall drenches the stage, and it pelts the ocean water with remarkable intensity. Surround usage is full and seamless. The listener will feel instantly transported into the natural violence. The same holds true when a tidal waves crashes through the soundstage later in the film: big intensity, precision mayhem, incredible low-end depth. Natural environmental effects offer a nice counterbalance. Buzzing insects, chirping birds, and other natural details enter the stage with precision placement and clarity. Seagulls fly seamlessly around the stage at the 50-minute mark. Music plays with lifelike clarity, easy-come richness, and detail throughout the range. Of course, the film offers no dialogue to review. This is a reference quality track and perhaps the best one will find accompanying an animated film.

The Red Turtle Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Red Turtle contains a commentary, two featurettes, and a film festival Q&A. No DVD or digital versions are included.

• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Michaël Dudok de Wit shares his thoughts on the film, much of which is explored in the next supplement but that opens up the film's story, structure, and construction; the challenges of the filmmaking process; feedback and help; visual structures and cues; an idea to insert dialogue into a key moment; and plenty more.
• The Birth of The Red Turtle (1080p, 56:36): An in-depth exploration of the film's creation, exploring original concepts, character and environment designs, inspirations, themes in the film, design and structural specifics, human acting, and more. The piece offers a treasure trove of concept art in addition to Michaël Dudok de Wit's commentary.
• The Secrets of The Red Turtle (1080p, 17:45): Michaël Dudok de Wit demonstrates the artistic secrets behind his creations as he draws a number of elements from the film.
• The Red Turtle at AFI Fest Q&A (1080p, 20:47): Michaël Dudok de Wit speaks with AFI Associate Programmer Mike Doughtery and the audience about the film, including collaboration with Studio Ghibli, the film's story and themes, human performances without the use of language, music, metaphors, and more.
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 1:59).
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.

The Red Turtle Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Red Turtle is an extraordinary film, a quintessential example of both cinema- and animation-as-art that confidently, gracefully, and definitively straddles that very delicate and very desirable magical line between purpose, presentation, and entertainment value. The film is unique, visionary in its own right, and wide open for interpretation with no wrong serious answers. It will dazzle as it plays and resonate long after it ends. Sony's Blu-ray is outstanding, presenting reference-quality picture and sound along with a quality assortment of bonus content. The Red Turtle earns my Highest recommendation.