The Book of Henry Blu-ray Review

The Book of Henry Blu-ray presents a visually captivating 1080p transfer, showcasing the film's rare use of real film stock in the 2.00:1 aspect ratio. The image quality is consistently high, characterized by an impressive encode and stable visuals that exude authenticity. The color palette is notably warm and inviting, with exceptional saturation bringing primary colors such as reds and blues, along with soft autumnal hues, to life on screen. Skin tones appear natural, though occasionally displaying a slight ruddy quality. Contrast levels are balanced well across various scenes, enhancing the film's homey and intimate aesthetic.

Fine detailing stands out remarkably, capturing intricate textures like the fibers on Henry's cap or the creases in character faces with precision. The image retains a consistent and light grain structure, adding a pleasing filmic texture without detracting from the sharpness. Black levels are deep and rich, offering substantial shadow detail with minimal artifacting, although there are minor instances where blacks may crush slightly or skew blue. The overall clarity and depth are commendable, allowing viewers to appreciate even the smallest details, from finely knitted sweaters to individual pieces of foliage.

Shot on 35mm film, the source material is pristine, preserving a rich and textured look throughout. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer allows for sharp images replete with intricate details found in settings like the family's home or the woods where Henry’s treehouse resides. While not necessarily demo material, the Blu-ray's video presentation remains thoroughly satisfying, delivering a robust visual experience free from significant flaws and showcasing the modest yet impactful setting of the film with fidelity.

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Book of Henry" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, accompanied by optional English SDH, French, and German subtitles. This track is designed to match the film's dramatic tone, with a heavy focus on dialogue and ambient sound effects. The mix primarily resides in the front channels, delivering crisp and well-placed vocals, enhanced by Michael Giacchino's melancholic score that subtly envelopes the listener through the rear channels. Background ambiance, such as slamming car doors and schoolyard sounds, gently spreads across the soundstage, making for an immersive but delicate listening experience.

Surround usage, while subtle, is thoughtfully executed, allowing elements like sprinkler systems and bird songs to travel smoothly across the channels. Though it may not capitalize fully on every surround opportunity, especially in intensive scenes like the climax in the woods, the mix remains effective overall. The tap dancing scene towards the end and certain music cues introduce more pronounced LFE elements, giving the subwoofer moments of prominence. Additionally, specific sequences, such as Henry’s headache scenes, employ deep bass to underscore the severity of his pain, adding an extra layer of emotional impact.

The soundtrack also maintains a balance between gentle atmospheric details and a steadiness in dialogue presentation. Whether capturing the light din in Susan's diner or the outdoor ambience, the track handles the modest sound needs of the film with organic precision. It's neither overwhelmingly complex nor overly simplistic, providing a clean audio experience that aligns with the film’s emotional beats. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track proves to be a consistent and engaging component of the Blu-ray package for "The Book of Henry."

The Blu-ray release of "The Book of Henry" includes a couple of insightful and well-produced extras that add substantial value for fans of the film. The first featurette, "Filming The Book of Henry," provides an in-depth look into the film's extensive development history, emphasizing the 18 years it took to bring the project to fruition. It incorporates behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with key filmmakers and cast members, discussing the film's visual approach and specific challenges during production. The second featurette, "The Book of Henry: The Cast," highlights the ensemble's dynamic and offers perspectives from both the actors and filmmakers on casting decisions, character portrayals, and on-set chemistry. Both extras are presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, delivering quality content for those interested in the craft of filmmaking.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filming The Book of Henry: Insights into the film's 18-year development, visuals, and production challenges.
• The Book of Henry: The Cast: Focus on the cast's dynamics, character portrayals, and casting decisions.

Colin Trevorrow's "The Book of Henry" represents a curious departure from his work on blockbusters like "Jurassic World." The film oscillates wildly between genres, initially presenting a quirky family dramedy before plunging into dark thriller territory. Jaeden Lieberher stars as Henry, a prodigious 11-year-old mastermind who handles his family’s finances and attempts to save his neighbor Christina from her abusive stepfather, played by Dean Norris. Naomi Watts portrays Susan, Henry's mother, whose coming-of-age journey is propelled by Henry's elaborately devised plans. The narrative is a tonal roller coaster, marked by abrupt and jarring transitions that create an almost disorienting viewing experience.

The storyline begins in a relatively grounded and heartwarming fashion, showcasing Henry's brilliant yet unconventional role in his family. His daily life with Susan and younger brother Peter (Jacob Tremblay) has moments of genuine charm and emotional depth. However, as the plot advances, the film makes an audacious pivot towards the macabre, involving murder plots and vigilantism. This dramatic shift leads to an implausible sequence of events wherein Susan follows Henry's posthumous instructions to assassinate Christina's stepfather. The movie’s ambitious attempts at blending heartfelt family drama with a vigilante narrative result in a fractured cohesion that may leave viewers perplexed.

Despite its artistic shortcomings, "The Book of Henry" manages to be an odd yet intriguing cinematic experiment. The performances, particularly by Lieberher and Watts, inject some credibility into the otherwise chaotic script. The film dares to defy conventional Hollywood scripting norms, for better or worse. From saccharine domestic moments to tension-filled scenes with dark thematic undertones, the movie is an unprecedented blend of sentiments that might resonate with open-minded audiences willing to embrace its unusual narrative structure.

"The Book of Henry" is a mixed bag in terms of cinematic execution, but there is no denying its striking originality and the filmmakers' boldness in genre experimentation. Directed by Colin Trevorrow and featuring stellar performances from Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob Tremblay, and Lee Pace, the film attempts to balance an emotional dramedy with thriller elements—not always successfully. Its unconventional narrative transitions can be jarring, yet it is this very unpredictability that makes for a unique viewing experience, albeit not one with significant replay value.

From a technical perspective, Universal's Blu-ray release delivers impressive quality. The 2.00:1 AVC video transfer offers visually rich and sharp imagery that stands out remarkably well. The English DTS HD MA 5.1 audio provides a balanced and immersive sound experience that enhances the film's emotional beats. While not brimming with extras, the included featurettes shed some light on Trevorrow's creative process, providing valuable context even if the final product doesn't fully resonate.

In conclusion, "The Book of Henry" may not be an Oscar contender, yet it holds a unique space in cinematic discussion as a film that must be seen to be believed. With a Blu-ray presentation that exceeds expectations, it remains a recommended watch for those curious about how to not make a film. Despite its flaws, the strange blend of narrative elements and technical excellence offer a compelling reason to view it at least once. Therefore, I rate it 2.5/5 – a spectacle of filmmaking missteps that certainly delivers on unforgettable entertainment value.