If 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 82
from 8 reviewers
Review Date:
IF's 4K UHD Blu-ray offers stellar video and immersive Dolby Atmos audio, though extras are limited; the film itself, despite heartwarming elements, struggles with pacing and demographic focus.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 95
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'If' offers a near-flawless visual feast with stunning clarity, vivid colors, and excellent HDR execution, particularly Dolby Vision, showcasing deep blacks and vibrant primary hues despite minor CGI seams and occasional red crush. This digitally shot film dazzles in both real and fantastical scenes.
Audio: 91
Paramount’s Dolby Atmos track for 'If' provides a rich, full-bodied experience with clear dialogue and well-placed surround activity. Subtle immersive elements and sporadic deep bass punctuate a vibrant soundstage, enhanced by Michael Giacchino's wonderful score, though it lacks some dynamic aggression.
Extra: 55
Though the extras for 'IF' on 4K UHD Blu-ray are varied, they mostly consist of brief EPK-style featurettes with minimal in-depth content, but they do provide a glimpse into the making of the film, voice casting, and filming techniques, with highlights being a fun gag reel and a kid-friendly drawing tutorial.
Movie: 62
In "IF," John Krasinski navigates a charming yet uneven blend of fantasy and family drama, offering a visually stunning production design and a stellar voice cast. While the film's emotional depth and concept have heart, it struggles with pacing, execution, and balancing its dual audience appeal.
Video: 95
Paramount's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "If" stands as an exemplary visual triumph, captivating viewers with its pristine clarity and vibrant color palette. Shot digitally in ARRIRAW at 6.5K resolution using Arri Alexa 65 cameras, the film benefits from a native 4K master, ensuring each scene bursts with finely tuned detail and sharp edge definition. The look of the film is nearly flawless, with a grain-free, digitally-filmed aesthetic that preserves clarity from start to finish. Highlights include the lush wood grains and vivid primaries in Bea's grandmother’s New York apartment and the mesmerizingly colorful world of the imaginary friends. The Dolby Vision HDR grading enriches these visuals, offering pronounced inky blacks and bright, vivid colors that deepen the visual impact.
However, this high level of clarity does introduce a minor drawback: the seams between CGI and live-action elements can occasionally become apparent. Despite this, the overall compositing remains commendable, providing an engaging mix of real and fantastical imagery. The HDR grade is relatively restrained but effective, enhancing shadow details and maintaining fidelity in both brightly-lit scenes and darker sequences. Primary colors are lush and well-saturated; scenes such as the "Tina Turner" dance number are particularly visually dynamic. Minor imperfections like slight red crush are hardly noticeable unless specifically sought out, and improvements in interstitial details add substantial depth to the picture.
All in all, "If" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers a stunning visual experience with its remarkable depth, vivid color reproduction, and exceptional clarity. The technological specs—HEVC/H.265 encoding, 4K (2160p) resolution, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and Dolby Vision HDR—work to enhance every scene, making it a standout presentation in terms of image quality. Whether in Bea's richly textured real-world settings or the color-soaked imaginary realms, "If" shines with unparalleled visual brilliance.
Audio: 91
Paramount's Dolby Atmos track for "If" is a full-bodied and rich auditory experience, characterized by its strong sense of immersion and spatial prowess. Dialogue is crystal clear and accurately positioned, providing a natural and weighty feel to the exchanges between characters and their imaginary friends. The surround activity is impressive, with playful, cartoony effects seamlessly moving about the soundfield, complemented by silky smooth channel transitions. Music, composed by the illustrious Michael Giacchino, plays a crucial role in the audio mix, offering depth and emotional resonance that enhances key sequences.
The mix is marked by its subtle yet effective use of height channels, focusing on ambient sounds over discrete effects. Atmospheric elements successfully enhance the soundscape, creating an engaging aural environment without overwhelming the listener. While moments of deep bass and impactful low-frequency effects are present, especially during scenes involving Blue's antics, the track maintains a balanced approach without being overly aggressive.
Overall, "If" delivers an excellent Dolby Atmos presentation where meticulous sound design and immersive surround effects come together harmoniously. The use of dynamic range, although slightly restrained, complements the source material well, allowing the film's whimsical nature to shine through while capturing the detailed essence of New York City and the bustling fairground scenes. From subtle footsteps and city sounds to poignant musical crescendos, this track succeeds in creating an immersive auditory experience that brings the imaginative world of "If" to life.
Extra: 55
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "If" boasts a collection of extras that enrich viewers’ experience by taking them behind the scenes of its imaginative world. While the total runtime of these features is relatively brief, they offer valuable insights into the creativity and technical prowess behind the film. Highlights include featurettes on character creation, voice-acting challenges, and blending CGI with practical elements, though some viewers may find the term 'practical' used somewhat liberally. Additionally, John Krasinski and the cast give engaging interviews that delve deeper into the imaginative process. A gag reel and a drawing tutorial for kids add a fun and interactive dimension, making this package a solid addition to any fan's collection.
Extras included in this disc:
- The Imagination Behind IF: Hear from writer and director John Krasinski plus the cast and crew as they dive deeper into the process of bringing their imagination to life on screen.
- Imagining Imaginary Friends: Take a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of each imaginary friend.
- Giving IFs a Voice: Meet the all-star cast responsible for voicing each character.
- Blending The Real and the Imaginary: Join John Krasinski as he incorporates practical elements to make the imaginary feel real.
- Tina Turner Forever!: Experience the reimagining of the iconic 80s Tina Turner music video.
- The Imaginative World of IF: Go behind the scenes and experience the magic of New York City.
- Gag Reel: Enjoy the hilarious antics on set.
- Learn to Draw Blue from IF: Learn to draw the loveable "Blue" in this interactive tutorial.
Movie: 62
John Krasinski's "If" (Imaginary Friends) is a heartwarming, albeit uneven, endeavor into family-friendly cinema that blends live-action with a medley of animated characters. The film follows Bea (Cailey Fleming), a 12-year-old girl grappling with the recent loss of her mother and the looming threat of her father’s heart surgery. Bea’s imaginative journey begins while staying with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw) as she encounters Cal (Ryan Reynolds), who reveals a hidden world of forgotten imaginary friends. The stellar voice cast, which includes Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and many others, adds a rich layer of whimsy. However, the film struggles with pacing and tone, oscillating between deep emotional beats and lighthearted fantasy in a manner that feels disjointed.
Technically, Krasinski excels in creating visually stunning production designs, particularly in the delightful settings within the apartment complex where much of the action unfolds. Yet, despite its aesthetic charms and heartfelt core, "If" falters in terms of narrative cohesion. It grapples with balancing its child-friendly elements with the heavier themes of grief and loss. The story could have benefited from more focus on the animated characters to better engage its younger audience. At times, the film feels like multiple genres awkwardly stitched together—a coming-of-age drama, a kitschy comedy, and a fantastical adventure—each striving to find equal footing within the plot.
In sum, "If" presents an appealing, if not entirely successful, exploration of imagination and healing. Krasinski’s directorial decisions reflect his commitment to emotional depth, yet the film may have fared better with a lighter approach or a more consistent focus. Despite its shortcomings, "If" manages to deliver moments of genuine heart and charm, primarily through the strong performances of Fleming and Reynolds.
Total: 82
Review: 4K UHD Blu-ray of "If"
John Krasinski’s "If" is an ambitious family film that treads the delicate balance between melancholy and cheerfulness. The movie has its heart in the right place, offering an endearing mix of warmth and poignancy, but it struggles to find a consistent tone. While it bravely explores themes like loss and friendship, it often strays into ambiguity about its target audience—oscillating between mature thematic elements and child-appropriate content. The narrative can meander, making it challenging to sustain engagement throughout its 104 minutes runtime.
From a technical standpoint, Paramount's 4K UHD Blu-Ray release excels. The video transfer is striking, showcasing vibrant colors and pristine image clarity with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 HEVC. The Dolby Atmos audio track appreciably enhances the immersive experience, ensuring the soundscapes are rich and enveloping. Yet, the bonus features are notably lacking depth, providing only a minimal 40-minute extra segment that may not justify a purchase for some.
In summary, "If" is a commendable endeavor that offers more emotional depth and less whimsy than typical family films. Despite its narrative inconsistencies, it can leave viewers with a touching experience when approached without predefined expectations. The film, paired with its stellar video and audio presentation, makes for a worthwhile rental, especially for audiences seeking heartfelt storytelling. However, fans of Krasinski's previous work should temper their expectations for a less thrilling but still poignant cinematic journey.
Conclusion: Recommendation: Good Watch
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 100
While IF doesn’t always hit home with the story, it most certainly does take home the gold in regards to picture quality....
Audio: 100
Overheads are solid, but focus on ambient over discrete sounds, and overall this is a fairly impressive audio mix....
Extras: 50
The Imagination Behind IF—Hear from writer and director John Krasinski plus the cast and crew as they dive deeper into the process of bringing their imagination to life on screen....
Movie: 60
Bea has lost so much so early, and now she’s terrified that she’s going to lose her father as well, so you can sort of wink and nod along with the film about how she might be using her own grief and imagination...
Total: 70
That being said, it’s certainly cute enough, with some very poignant moments near the end....
Blu-ray.com review by Kenneth BrownRead review here
Video: 100
And yet there's a nice filmic quality to the FX, allowing for natural softness and side-stepping razor-sharp detail at the expense of believability....
Audio: 100
All of it comes together with ease by film's end, allowing for numerous standout moments including a musical number, moving reunions between IF and human, and other heartstring-y bits only made more poignant...
Extras: 40
Giving IFs a Voice (HD, 6 minutes) - Another short featurette, this time touching ever so slightly on the process of voice casting, recording and the challenges and fun of voiceover performances....
Movie: 60
Instead of tying up loose ends with silliness and tear-jerking asides, IF finds a means by which to deliver some genuine heart with a number of solid twists and turns that, for all intents and purposes,...
Total: 80
Krasinski is a fine filmmaker, though it seems his talents are a tad wasted here, but you also have to respect the desire to create cinematic experiences for all ages and walks of life....
Blu-ray Authority review by Matt MaloufRead review here
Video: 90
It is certainly a pleasing film visually, so the transfer presented things in a more than acceptable manner....
Audio: 80
I didn’t personally care for these moments in the film, but as far as the presentation here goes, that part satisfies....
Extras: 70
The Imagination Behind IF—Hear from writer and director John Krasinski plus the cast and crew as they dive deeper into the process of bringing their imagination to life on screen....
Movie: 0
The cast is talented here, but I find it a bit wrong of the filmmakers to put so much on our lead character....
Total: 80
I appreciate the heart and not trying too hard to be cynical, but I also think it strays and meanders too often to be truly memorable....
The Digital Bits review by Stephen BjorkRead review here
Video: 95
Interestingly enough, despite the family-friendly nature of the film, this is one case where the HDR grade is relatively restrained and the biggest improvements over standard HD come from the upgrade in...
Audio: 90
Subtlety is also the guiding principle behind the sound design, since IF is mercifully free of any chase scenes or other kinds of action that some family films inevitably tack on to the proceedings....
Extras: 55
The Imagination Behind IF details the development of the story; Imagining Imaginary Friends traces the development of the various imaginary characters; Giving Ifs a Voice covers the diverse voice cast,...
Movie: 75
John Krasinski may have originally drawn significant attention to himself while playing Jim Halpert in NBC’s successful reboot of the BBC series The Office, but he was quietly working behind-the-scenes...
Total: 79
IF might not be the cup of tea for fans of the A Quiet Place franchise, but for fans of John Krasinski who are interested in seeing him stretch himself a bit, it’s an interesting film....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 80
Still, flesh tones hit a reasonable level and on occasion, there’s a strikingly rich element to take notice of....
Audio: 80
The various friends flow through the soundstage as they move around, and the ascending staircase that takes a prominent role in the story makes for a number of elevated moments....
Extras: 60
Six basic featurettes are fairly standard material on the cast, the designs, cast, and even one on Tina Turner....
Movie: 40
Also, IF feels like three movies in one, a challenging coming-of-age family drama, a kitschy matchmaking comedy with adult rediscovering their childhood, and a ‘90s kids movie where the younger set get...
Total: 65
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Home Theater Forum review by Neil MiddlemissRead review here
Video: 100
The lushness of greens from trees, blues from skies, healthy skin tones, clean whites, a rich array of purples, yellows, and more....
Audio: 100
Giacchino also scored UP, and there is a parallel from that film to the opening sequence of IF, and in both cases, the composer captures the tone of the moment superbly....
Extras: 40
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Movie: 70
Still, the modesty of his shots and pacing isn’t always a comfortable fit for something positioned as a film to be enjoyed by the family with younger kids....
Total: 80
Take away the expectations you may have going in and IF could leave you with tear-filled eyes and a warm smile, but you’ll still believe that this well-made film seems to have used all the right ingredients...
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 96
The use of HDR is spot on, driving the story’s use of visual cues offset by gleams of light, as seen in the scene where Bea reimagines the Imaginary Friend’s sanctuary, followed by the “Tina Turner” stage...
Audio: 86
In listening to the Dolby Atmos surround mix I found it to be of the less aggressive variety but, considering the source material that’s not a complete surprise....
Extras: 80
• The Imagination Behind IF—Hear from writer and director John Krasinski plus the cast and crew as they dive deeper into the process of bringing their imagination to life on screen....
Movie: 70
Early on it commits to one over the others, but, by the second act, the balance within the narrative settles....
Total: 83
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...
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
Depth: As IFs and humans move around on screen, we have sharp focus and no softness in the frame....
Audio: 100
Not the most dynamic, it still fills the soundstage with the sounds of New York, music cues and echoes....
Extras: 50
IF comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray with a digital code and slipcover and what appears to be an abundance of bonus features, which actually add to about 25 minutes of content…The Imagination Behind IF—Hear from...
Movie: 60
There is an incredible amount of grief in films geared towards children, and it’s as if this is something that’s gone on forever, just to better prepare children for loss in their lives....
Total: 70
There are some real moments of joy here and some really good CGI work for the characters also....
Director: John Krasinski
Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, John Krasinski
PlotIn a world where imagination bleeds into reality, a down-on-his-luck architect discovers an old notebook filled with whimsical sketches and notes about a fantastical utopia. Struggling with a failing career and strained family relationships, he decides to channel his remaining energy into bringing these imaginative concepts to life. However, as he begins to manifest elements of this fantasy world, he encounters an enigmatic artist with her own set of dreams. Together, they navigate a shifting landscape of magic and possibility while questioning the boundaries between dreams and reality.
As their creations gain complexity and become more immersive, the emotional stakes rise, causing friction with the people closest to them. Friendships are tested and alliances formed as they grapple with the consequences of their own fantasies and ambitions turning tangible. Meanwhile, unforeseen events escalate, climaxing in a twist that challenges their understanding of what is truly real. Their journey becomes not only a quest to redefine their lives but also an exploration of the power of belief and creativity, leading to an unforgettable conclusion.
Writers: John Krasinski
Release Date: 17 Nov 2023
Runtime: N/A
Rating: N/A
Country: United States
Language: N/A