The Boys in the Boat Blu-ray Review
Score: 68
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
An enjoyable, if somewhat formulaic sports drama, with excellent 1080p video quality and an underwhelming Dolby Atmos mix; lacking bonus features.
Disc Release Date
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 86
"The Boys in the Boat" offers an impressive 1080p HD presentation that masterfully captures its digital, desaturated aesthetic with strong fine detail, accurate colors, and adequate contrast. While lacking a 4K option, the Blu-ray's encoding ensures no compression artifacts, providing a near-perfect visual experience on small to mid-sized screens.
Audio: 86
The Dolby Atmos track for 'The Boys in the Boat' offers clear dialogue, robust dynamics, and an engaging surround mix, though it lacks distinctive overhead activity, making it similar to a 5.1 mix. Key audio highlights include Alexandre Desplat's score and effective LFE during competition sequences.
Extra: 6
"The Boys in the Boat" Blu-ray release notably lacks any special features or supplements, offering only a Digital Copy redemption code, making it a missed opportunity for fans seeking deeper insights into the story.
Movie: 66
George Clooney's *The Boys in the Boat,* though predictable and occasionally meandering, delivers an old-fashioned, heartstring-tugging sports drama, bolstered by well-paced rowing sequences, strong performances from Callum Turner and Joel Edgerton, and Alexandre Desplat's period score, but lacks deeper character development and sustained excitement.
Video: 86
"The Boys in the Boat" Blu-ray features an impressive video transfer that adeptly handles its powdery, desaturated palette. The 1080p HD presentation is top-notch, rendering exceptional fine detail in both close-ups and wide shots. The encode avoids compression artifacts, ensuring that intricate facial features and fabric textures appear clean and distinct. While black levels lean toward dark gray—likely an artistic choice—the overall contrast and shadow details are well-maintained without falling victim to crush. Colors are steady, with only a few warmest oranges and a brief darkroom scene appearing slightly off. Noteworthy is the film's ability to emulate a film-like quality, complete with intentional grain, despite its digital origins shot mostly with Sony Venice and Z Cam E2-S6G cameras.
The cinematography by Martin Ruhe bathes the period set design and costuming in a golden sunlight that blooms with reds, pinks, yellows, and the blue water. The film effectively captures the mood of Depression-era America with its soft and desaturated look. The extra-wide 2.39:1 aspect ratio lends an epic feel to the rowing sequences. As an intriguing technical note, despite its digital production with equipment capable of 6K capture resolution, the 1080p AVC encode on this Blu-ray remains impressive. While some viewers may lament the absence of a 4K UHD option, the Blu-ray still stands strong in delivering a visually engaging experience on small to mid-sized screens.
Audio: 86
The audio presentation of "The Boys in the Boat" on Blu Ray comprises a crystal-clear Dolby Atmos mix, complemented by a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core. The sound design effectively exploits spatial dimensions and discrete directional sounds, particularly during the rowing competition scenes, which add a layer of immersion to the viewing experience. The mix excels in maintaining a wide front soundstage, with subtle yet active surrounds that enhance crowded scenes, such as college classrooms, training grounds, train stations, and the Olympic stadium. Despite its high-quality implementation, the overhead channels are used sparingly, only engaging during the most dynamic sequences. The result is a mix that serves well for both dedicated Atmos setups and downmixed 7.1 or 5.1 systems without losing much in terms of auditory experience.
In terms of dialogue, the track ensures that conversations remain clear and are never overshadowed by Alexandre Desplat's robust musical score or sound effects. The subtle yet impactful use of Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) enhances the intensity of key moments, including the thumping sound of rowing oars during competition scenes. However, some may find the bass-heavy score overpowering, necessitating minor adjustments to subwoofer levels for optimal balance. Optional subtitles, including English (SDH) and multiple foreign language dubs, are available to provide an accessible viewing experience for a diverse audience.
While "The Boys in the Boat" might not be an ideal candidate for an ambitious Atmos mix due to its dialogue-heavy and narrative-driven nature, the audio department has ensured that the Atmos option adds value without rendering lower surround sound formats obsolete. Those limited to a 7.1 or even 5.1 setup will still enjoy a richly layered and engaging soundscape that aligns well with the film’s thematic tone.
Extra: 6
"The Boys in the Boat" Blu-ray release lacks any supplemental material, which is disappointing given the rich historical context and narrative depth of the story based on Daniel James Brown's nonfiction book. This barebones edition includes only a Digital Copy redemption code but omits any behind-the-scenes features, commentaries, or featurettes that could enrich the viewing experience. The absence of extras is a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the making of the film or the true story that inspired it.
Extras included in this disc:
Digital Code: Redeem a digital HD copy on Fandango.
Movie: 66
George Clooney’s The Boys in the Boat translates the inspirational true story of the 1936 University of Washington rowing team into a visually compelling period drama. Rooted in the emotionally charged era of the Great Depression and set against the backdrop of Nazi Berlin, the film strives for both grandeur and heartfelt underdog triumph. Callum Turner leads the ensemble as Joe Rantz, whose journey from homelessness to Olympic athlete embodies the quintessential rags-to-riches saga. Joel Edgerton delivers a commendable performance as Coach Al Ulbrickson, who defies typical sports movie clichés by depicting a coach who genuinely understands and nurtures his team's potential.
While Clooney’s directorial passion is evident, particularly in the way he crafts emotionally resonant moments and sweeping historical significance, the film is not without its flaws. The narrative, though uplifting, adheres strictly to conventional sports drama tropes, resulting in a predictable plot trajectory. Pacing issues arise with prolonged scenes that tend to focus too much on metaphoric dialogues—like Rantz waxing a boat—while skimming on team dynamics essential for building authentic camaraderie among team members. These structural choices lead to certain sequences feeling anticlimactic despite deserving substance in a real-life story teeming with dramatic potential.
On a technical note, the film benefits from a solid production design that effectively recreates the 1930s setting. Martin Ruhe’s cinematography generally enhances the storyline, although occasional shaky, hand-held shots disrupt the visual consistency. Alexandre Desplat’s period score adds depth to the film, complementing Clooney’s ambitious yet sentimental direction. Despite its shortcomings, The Boys in the Boat will likely resonate with viewers who appreciate historical sports dramas and are drawn to stories of perseverance and unlikely victory.
Total: 68
George Clooney’s "The Boys in the Boat" delivers a technically competent and engaging, yet highly familiar, underdog sports narrative. Though the film does not revolutionize the genre, it provides moments of genuine excitement and emotional engagement. However, it struggles with pacing issues, particularly in the second act, which hampers its ability to maintain momentum throughout its runtime. This latest Blu-ray release from Warner Bros. effectively captures the essence of the film through a robust audiovisual presentation, though it disappointingly lacks any 4K option or supplementary features.
The video transfer to 1080p Blu-ray is executed with high precision, showcasing vivid colors and remarkable clarity, making it one of the better transfers available for this resolution. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack, while being somewhat excessive given the limited use of ambient effects, enhances the viewing experience with its dynamic rendering of the musical score and occasional crowd scenes. These technical merits, combined with a sound Dolby Atmos mix that bolsters the immersive experience, elevate the overall A/V quality of the disc.
Despite its box office performance and the absence of bonus materials, "The Boys in the Boat" Blu-ray is recommended for those who appreciate skillful filmmaking and compelling sports dramas. Its technical strengths in video and audio make it a worthy addition to any collection, especially for fans of Clooney's directorial work. While it may not make serious waves in the current cinematic landscape, it remains an admirable effort and an enjoyable watch for those interested in a well-made, old-school sports flick.
Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller IIIRead review here
Video: 90
Even so, this is by and large a very nicely-produced Blu-ray and should look just about perfect on small to mid-sized screens, whereas once again those with larger displays might silently curse Warner...
Audio: 90
They're as reserved as you might expect but do get a bit of action during the busiest sequences mentioned above as well as enthusiastic crowd support from the cheap seats....
Extras: 0
This one-disc release ships in a keepcase with a matching matte-finish slipcover and a Digital Copy redemption code....
Movie: 60
Not surprisingly, backstories for most of "the boys" are either skimmed or ignored completely, the team's factual three-year journey is now barely one, and other various subplots -- such as a sugar-free...
Total: 60
Fittingly, Warner Bros.' Blu-ray supports the film's solid A/V pedigree well enough for the format (sadly, no 4K option is available), but low replay value and no bonus features make this a release for...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Though The Boys in the Boat was shot digitally, it does a good job at emulating a movie shot on film, as there is grain apparent in many of the shots, and the extra-wide aspect ratio (2.39:1.) helps it...
Audio: 80
You'll find great use of LFE in this mix, particularly during competition sequences, where the rowing oars THUMP and the subwoofer simulate the impact against the wood....
Extras: 0
No special features are to be found on the Blu-ray release of The Boys in the Boat, which is a shame because the story is a good one, and it would have been neat to have a short supplement or featurette...
Movie: 60
For a movie about a team of underdogs who became the best-of-the-best and took on the Nazis, during the great depression, it feels surprisingly lifeless during those big moments....
Total: 80
The Boys in the Boat swings for the fences, and while it doesn't quite knock it out of the park, it's an admirable job, and given the excellent video quality, this disc comes Recommended....
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 90
The Boys in the Boat was a digital production shot mostly with Sony Venice and Z Cam E2-S6G cameras, both of which have a maximum capture resolution of 6K. IMDB does not list what the native and completed...
Audio: 90
LFE is also quite sparse, but there really aren’t any sequences that would benefit from it, other than to provide some low-end assistance to the score....
Extras: 10
This is yet another barebones MGM release thru Warner Bros. that only includes a code to redeem a digital HD copy on Fandango at Home....
Movie: 80
While the story is rather predictable (is someone really going to make a movie about an Olympic team that loses to Nazi Germany?), the film follows two main characters – down on his luck Joe Rantz (Callum...
Total: 70
George Clooney’s The Boys in the Boat may have received a bad rep at the box office, earning only $55.4 million worldwide on an estimated budget of $40 million, but is still a rather enjoyable two hours....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 94
Audio: 92
I was impressed with the implementation of both spacial dimension and discrete directional sounds associated with the sounds of the rowing competitions that create an occasionally immersive listening environment....
Extras: 10
...
Movie: 70
This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world....
Total: 67
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Director: George Clooney
Actors: Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guinness
PlotDuring the Great Depression, a group of working-class young men from the University of Washington fight against the odds to form an unlikely rowing team. With their coach, a World War I veteran, pushing them beyond their limits, the team members learn the importance of unity, endurance, and perseverance. One of the standout oarsmen, a carpenter named Joe Rantz, brings his own set of personal struggles and determination to the crew, striving to overcome his painful past and build a better future for himself. The team's early training is grueling, and they face numerous setbacks, including internal conflicts and financial difficulties, but their relentless spirit keeps them moving forward.
As the crew begins to gel and develop a rhythm, they set their sights on the ultimate prize: representing the United States in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Their journey to qualify for the Olympics is fraught with both physical challenges and issues of personal growth, as each member must confront their own fears and insecurities. The film captures not only the intense physical demands of competitive rowing but also the deep bond that forms among teammates as they strive for greatness. Through relentless practice, unwavering dedication, and sheer willpower, they prepare to face the world’s best on an international stage. The story culminates in a dramatic showdown that tests everything they've learned about teamwork, sacrifice, and resilience.
Writers: Daniel James Brown, Mark L. Smith
Release Date: 25 Dec 2023
Runtime: 123 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English, German, French, Italian, Hungarian