7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Through the story of a man shipwrecked on a tropical island inhabited by turtles, crabs and birds, The Red Turtle recounts the milestones in the life of a human being.
Starring: Emmanuel Garijo, Tom Hudson (XVI), Baptiste Goy, Axel Devillers, Barbara BerettaForeign | 100% |
Anime | 79% |
Family | 10% |
Animation | 10% |
Nature | 10% |
Supernatural | 1% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH, Portuguese, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
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.
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'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 contains a commentary, two featurettes, and a film festival Q&A. No DVD or digital versions are included.
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.
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