The Boys in the Boat

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.