Boyhood chronicles one boy’s epic journey to adulthood. Writer/director Richard Linklater follows the same actors over 12 years to tell a coming-of-age story like none other in film history.
The Review at a Glance:
(max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
82
Details:
Studio and Year: Paramount - 2014
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 164 minutes
Genre: Drama
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC
Video Aspect: 1.85:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater
Written & Directed by: Richard Linklater
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: January 6, 2015
"12 years in the making…"
My Take:
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's Boyhood charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent. The film is set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay's Yellow to Arcade Fire's Deep Blue.
From a thematic standpoint Boyhood is a fairly traditional coming of age drama that is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. What makes the film interesting to watch lies in its conceptual execution. Using the same cast over a 12 year span to make the film allows a viably rich connection not only to the characters but adds an air of authenticity that makes it easy to identify with Mason and his family while perhaps thinking about our own journey.
I watched it with my family and this was very true in the case of my son who through some of Mason’s experiences harkened back to points in his life while growing up. While they had no shared experiences he reveled in appreciating the steps in life that bring us to the people we eventually become. My reaction wasn’t as enthusiastic as his, however I did find the film entertaining. I felt that it played a bit too long and there were intimately insignificant moments where I felt like a voyeur peering through the window into the lives of this family.
On the other hand there were moments of drama and well played familial strife that proved meaningful and stirring. Boyhood is the first film of its kind and I applaud writer/director Richard Linklater for his devotion in seeing his vision through to fruition. Stars Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette are deserving of praise as is newcomer Ellar Coltrane whose performance solidifies the film’s foundation.
Boyhood is a narratively rich, transformative and groundbreaking film experience that is of the ilk that should be seen by all cinema enthusiasts. I suspect that each person’s reaction to it may be slightly different but there is no denying its ability to establish a genuine connection to the audience as seen through the eyes of Mason and his family.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for language including sexual references, and for teen drug use and alcohol use.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100/EXCELLENT = 83-91/GOOD = 74-82/AVERAGE = 65-73/BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 78
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency effects:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
- Low frequency extension * (non-rated element): NA
Video: 86
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black Level/Shadow Detail:
- Color Reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
Boyhood comes to Blu-ray Disc from Paramount Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 23 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 2.6 Mbps.
This video presentation delivered satisfactory overall quality that included appreciable refinement and subtle degrees of delineation that resulted in a gratifying high definition viewing experience. Colors and fleshtones appear natural with ample saturation and vivid textures. Black levels are respectable and depth of field/delineation during low light sequences is rarely a problem. I didn’t detect any noteworthy anomalies or artifacts.
The audio presentation is solid and like the video renders the elements present in the soundtrack as intended. Dialogue is clearly articulated through the center channel as the film’s music holds sway over the front soundstage. Aural perspective is one dimensional and leans toward the front channels however spatial venue replicating effects and diffuse ambience is fed to the rear channels which provide a limited but effective sense of envelopment.
Bonus Features:
- (HD) The 12 year project – 19 minute featurette
- (HD) Q&A with writer/director Richard Linklater and the cast – 52 minutes
- Bonus DVD
- Digital HD Copy
Final Thoughts:
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's Boyhood is a narratively rich, transformative and groundbreaking experience that is kind of film that cinema enthusiasts can appreciate. It comes to Blu-ray from Paramount Home Entertainment featuring solid high definition video, crystal clear lossless sound and a worthwhile supplemental package that is highlighted by an informative Q&A with the writer/director and cast. Boyhood isn’t necessarily a must own film however it is a must see and deserves a spot near the top of your Blu-ray rental queue.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS4910 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal)
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Carada Masquerade Horizontal Masking System
Marantz AV8801 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103D Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (With Darbee video processing)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SVS PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
SVS PC12-NSD
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Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package