Then Came You Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Then Came You" on Blu-ray showcases an impressive AVC-encoded image with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The fidelity of the colors is particularly noteworthy, with stable and brighter primaries accentuating town decorations and costuming. Skye's wigs and outfits present more vibrant hues that stand out, while the greenery contributes a strong sense of location. Details are rendered with ample precision, from the dimensionality of airport activities to the intricate bedroom designs and mementos. Facial features are crisply detailed, effectively portraying age and the effects of illness. Although most scenes maintain good delineation, there are occasional lapses where textures on clothing and hair become solidified.

Presented in a crisp 1080P resolution, the transfer derives from the movie's digital intermediate, ensuring technically superior quality befitting modern HD standards. The 2.40:1 theatrical aspect ratio is maintained consistently throughout the 97-minute runtime. Skin tones exhibit neutral, realistic shading, while color grading shows balanced contrast and stable black levels. Although the colors do not explode off the screen, they are consistently even across the board. Fine detail is prevalent in numerous scenes, enhancing the overall visual experience. There is no evidence of processing to soften picture quality, preserving the natural look intended by the filmmakers. This Shout Factory release validates why this indie film merits its Blu-ray format, offering a sharp and well-defined visual presentation without any undue intervention.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix for "Then Came You" prioritizes clarity and precision in dialogue exchanges, ensuring that both emotional subtlety and comedic timing are effectively maintained. The mix adeptly handles accents and provides a sharp auditory experience. The film's gentle acoustic guitar score supports scenes with appropriate volume, while more animated soundtrack selections inject some welcome low-end thump into the mix.

Surround activity is not overly aggressive but captures atmospheric elements adequately, including bustling airport scenes and quieter rural moments. While the surround mix could offer more dynamism, the passable atmospherics provide a decent auditory ambience.

Dialogue-driven scenes primarily occupy the front soundstage, maintaining complete intelligibility thanks to nicely balanced and dynamic audio mastering. Musical montages benefit from a fuller, more expansive presentation, particularly with the inclusion of low-frequency effects (LFE), enhancing the overall audio experience. Additionally, optional English SDH subtitles are available, displayed in a white font and consistently positioned within the scope presentation.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Then Came You" offer a comprehensive look into the creative process behind the film, focusing on the script's origins, casting decisions, and production design. Key highlights include the featurette "Learning to Live," which provides in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, particularly emphasizing Maisie Williams's dedication to her role. Director Peter Hutchings and writer Fergal Rock provide detailed insights into their inspirations and choices, including the film's unique locations such as a working airport. The featurette is complemented by valuable behind-the-scenes footage and cast reflections, making it a rich addition for fans. The package also contains the film's theatrical trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Learning to Live: Behind-the-scenes featurette featuring interviews with cast and crew, detailing script origins, casting, and production.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer for the film.

In "Then Came You," the story revolves around Calvin (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward hypochondriac grappling with extreme anxiety, and Skye (Maisie Williams), a terminally ill teenager with a zest for life. The film navigates their unlikely friendship as they tackle Skye's whimsical "To Die List" filled with eccentric adventures and poignant moments. Calvin, who works as an airport baggage handler, is pushed out of his comfort zone by Skye's relentless energy, bringing a mix of humor and heartfelt exchanges to the narrative. While the plot seems familiar and at times drifts into clichéd territory, the movie's intent to highlight the essence of youth and mortality manages to strike a chord, albeit superficially.

Despite its heavy themes, "Then Came You" maintains a surprisingly light and upbeat tone, often resorting to montages with a pop music soundtrack to shift the emotional beats. The performances of Williams and Butterfield are pivotal, with Williams' high-energy portrayal of Skye providing a stark contrast to Butterfield's reserved Calvin, creating an endearing dynamic that keeps the audience engaged. However, Nina Dobrev's role as Calvin's love interest, Izzy, feels somewhat contrived and miscast, creating an unrealistic romantic subplot that detracts from the film's authenticity.

Peter Hutchings’ direction embraces the cutesiness of the companionship while attempting to inject emotional depth, though it falls short in delivering a truly impactful narrative. The supporting characters, including those played by Briana Venskus and Ken Jeong, add quirky yet touching elements to the story. Overall, "Then Came You" is an inoffensive teen dramedy that handles severe issues with a lighter touch. It offers a blend of comedy and drama that is pleasant and poignant but does not delve deeply enough into the complexities it proposes, making it a sentimental rather than searing experience.

"Then Came You" ventures into the familiar territory of teenage dramedy, centering on a dying girl and her unexpected friendship. The Blu-ray presentation boasts exceptional visual clarity, with a crisp, detailed image that enhances the emotional weight of each scene. The film’s color grading is handled well, providing a natural yet vibrant palette that suits the tone. Audio quality is equally impressive, featuring clear dialogue delivery and an effective use of surround sound to immerse viewers in the story's poignant moments.

Maisie Williams and Asa Butterfield deliver strong individual performances, bringing depth to their respective roles. Williams' portrayal of a terminally ill teenager finds the right balance between humor and the sheer gravity of her condition. Meanwhile, Butterfield’s performance is compelling but somewhat repetitive of his past roles as troubled young men. The duo’s dynamic offers moments of genuine connection but often falls short, lacking the consistent chemistry to make their relationship truly believable.

In conclusion, "Then Came You" is a competent entry in the teen dramedy genre that aims for heartache but doesn't fully achieve it. The story's predictability undercuts its emotional impact, and despite solid performances, the film struggles with an uneven central relationship. Nonetheless, the technical proficiency of the Blu-ray presentation elevates the viewing experience.

There's an interest in the arts to keep Then Came You grounded, and the mutual healing message of the story is welcome. However, originality doesn't win in the end, with Rock going through the motions to arrive at an expected ending, and leads Williams and Butterfield (who plays nothing but shattered young men) share little chemistry, leaving the central relationship uneven and, at times, unbelievable. Then Came You is too programmed to extract the full heartache it desires, with little interpersonal magic to pair with all the melancholy.