The Boxtrolls 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Boxtrolls" provides an exemplary video presentation, showcasing the animation with striking clarity and vivid detail. Encoded in HEVC / H.265 at 2160p resolution and with a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio, it benefits from a new 4K restoration, supervised by the folks at LAIKA. Despite being sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate, likely due to its original digital capture using Canon EOS-5D Mark II cameras at 5K, the upscale to 4K UHD is impressively executed. HDR10 and Dolby Vision support enhance contrast and color reproduction, bringing a depth and saturation to the visuals that surpass previous releases. Specifically, the HDR implementation enriches blacks and lights, ensuring the animation's unique textures and colors shine without overtly altering the film’s original aesthetic palette.

The video quality excels in showcasing the fine details and nuanced textural elements inherent to stop-motion animation. Every dust particle, thread of fabric, and environmental texture is rendered with exceptional clarity, making for a deeply immersive viewing experience. Color reproduction is first-rate, with the film’s diverse palette—from muted browns and oranges to more vibrant reds, greens, blues, and purples—rendered with lush saturation. The Dolby Vision grade, in particular, offers a noticeable improvement in dimensionality and shadow detail, without succumbing to artificial enhancements that could detract from the directorial intent.

Moreover, the black levels are profoundly deep and consistent, ensuring that the intricate details of the Boxtrolls' world are visible even in the darkest scenes. This equilibrium of light and shadow adds a palpable sense of depth to the image, bolstering its three-dimensional appeal. With no digital artifacts or noise marring its presentation, "The Boxtrolls" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a testament to how technological advancements can breathe new life into existing works, enhancing the meticulous craftsmanship of LAIKA’s stop-motion animation without compromising its original charm.

The 4K UHD release of "The Boxtrolls" impresses with a meticulously crafted Dolby Atmos surround sound track, underpinned by a 24-bit depth Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound encode. This premium audio configuration ensures a listen that is nothing short of refreshing, offering crisp and detailed sound quality across the board. From the rain that seems to fall overhead before the film's visual content even begins, to the nuanced sliding of Boxtrolls in each channel, the Atmos mix enriches the auditory experience significantly. The seamless transitions among speakers and the vibrant dynamics allow for an enveloping soundscape, where both the bustling streets and the more intimate sounds of the Boxtrolls' lair are rendered with palpable realism. The soundscape's layering and depth are given further life by Dario Marianelli's score, which, along with dialogues and creature sounds, remains precise and clear throughout.

Notably, the Atmos track adds spatial dimensionality that was previously unattainable, creating an immersive overhead sound space that lends an impressive breadth to the environment. This is particularly evident in scenes featuring the creatures' intricate underground networks and the expansive urban landscapes they inhabit above ground. Moreover, the effective use of height channels adds a dynamic layer to the film’s audio presentation, capturing everything from the subtle noises of underground living to the dramatic overhead actions with exceptional clarity. The low frequency extension also receives a substantial boost, with the subwoofer engaging effectively to give weight to movements, crashes, and the warmth of Marianelli’s score without overwhelming the rest of the auditory experience.

In supporting the Atmos mix, the release also offers alternatives in Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks, alongside an English Descriptive Video Service for enhanced accessibility. Subtitle options are generous, catering to a wider audience with English SDH, Spanish, and French. The upgrade to an Atmos track not only heightens previously established sequences but opens up an airy and natural appeal across various scenes. With an emphasis on balance and meticulous sound plotting, every environment within "The Boxtrolls" transforms into a meticulously detailed auditory event, making this Atmos mix a commendable upgrade over previous releases and a true auditory feast for listeners equipped with Atmos-enabled systems.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Boxtrolls" not only enhances the visual and auditory experience of the original film but also brings together an impressive array of extras from its Special Edition Blu-ray, along with some new additions. The featured audio commentary by directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi is insightful, offering deep dives into the production challenges and creative decisions. The Inside LAIKA featurettes stand out, especially "Discovering the Characters of The Boxtrolls" and "Character Animation," which include detailed explanations of character development, footage from recording sessions, and exclusive test footage. "Dare to be Square" expands on the film's making with comprehensive behind-the-scenes insights. Although the extras largely mirror the content of previous editions, the inclusion of new retrospectives and meticulously preserved technical details will appeal to both new audiences and dedicated fans. The collection balances technical information with creative exploration, making it a valuable addition for anyone involved in animation or simply a fan of the genre.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: With Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi Inside LAIKA: Discovering the Characters of The Boxtrolls Inside LAIKA: Revisiting the Puppets with LAIKA’s Animation Team Character Animation Featurettes

• Mr. Pickles & Mr. Toad
• Lord Portley-Rind
• Archibald Snatcher
• Winnie
• Fish & Shoe
• Eggs Feature-Length Storyboards Dare to be Square: Behind the Scenes of The Boxtrolls
• Voicing The Boxtrolls
• Inside the Box
• The Big Cheese: Allergy Snatcher
• Deconstructing the Dance
• Think Big: The Mecha Drill Additional Featurettes
• The Nature of Creation
• Trolls Right Off the Tongue
• Allergic to Easy
• Let's Dance
• On the Shoulders of Giants Still Galleries: Character Art, Concept Art, Behind the Scenes Theatrical Trailer

The Boxtrolls," produced by the acclaimed Laika studio, known for its imaginative and beautifully animated storytelling, offers another delightful adventure with this 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation. Based on the novel "Here Be Monsters!" by Alan Snow, this film captures an engaging blend of the macabre and whimsical, set against the backdrop of Cheesebridge, a city terrorized by the misunderstood and inventive creatures living beneath its streets. Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, alongside screenwriters Adam Pava and Irena Brignull, craft a narrative that is as touching as it is thrilling, driven by the heartfelt journey of Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), an orphan raised by the titular boxtrolls, and his efforts to protect his family from extermination by the villainous Archibald Snatcher (voiced with delightful villainy by Ben Kingsley).

Visually, the film is a feast, with Laika's signature stop-motion animation reaching new heights of creativity and detail. The 4K resolution accentuates the finely crafted textures of the characters and the intricate, steampunk-inspired world they inhabit. From the expressive faces of the boxtrolls themselves - a testament to Laika's skill in stop-motion animation - to the vividly realized streets of Cheesebridge, every frame brims with life and color. The production design team, led by Michel Breton, August Hall, Paul Lasaine, and Tom McClure, alongside the atmospheric cinematography by John Ashlee Prat, creates a deeply immersive experience that is both enchantingly gothic and endearingly quirky.

Complementing the visual feast is Dario Marianelli's score, which captures the film's adventurous spirit and emotional depth with precision and flair. The voice cast, featuring Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead Wright, and Ben Kingsley, brings depth to their characters, enhancing the film's thematic richness and emotional impact. "The Boxtrolls" challenges and delights in equal measure, offering both young audiences and adults a tale of bravery, solidarity, and resilience against prejudice. While it may follow in the footsteps of Laika's previous successes like "Coraline" and "ParaNorman," it stands on its own as a testament to the studio's enduring creativity and commitment to storytelling excellence.

The Boxtrolls" emerges on 4K UHD Blu-Ray as an exquisite display of Laika's unparalleled animation prowess, capturing the imaginations of both children and adults alike with its fairy tale-like fantasy and creative magic. The film's stop-motion artistry and detailed world-building are elevated to new heights in 4K Ultra HD, offering an outstanding 2160p UHD encode that showcases vibrant, colorful HDR grading. This enhancement provides a viewing experience with a depth and clarity like never before, making it the best presentation of the film on home video to date. Despite the notable omission of the 3D version and certain special features from the previous Universal Blu-ray release, such as the Preliminary Animatic Sequences and a set of six scenes with optional directorial commentary, the 4K release compensates with its superior video quality and an excellent Dolby Atmos audio track.

Fans and collectors will find additional satisfaction in the release's comprehensive extra features and the appealing collectible steelbook packaging, which signifies an all-around fantastic upgrade from any previous version. However, it's important to note that for those particularly enamored with 3D experiences, this aspect is unfortunately lacking here. Despite that, this version stands as a remarkable alternative, demonstrating once again that Shout! Factory has gone to great lengths to fully upgrade their offering with superb 4K video and immersive Atmos audio, ensuring that the enchantment of "The Boxtrolls" is relived with unparalleled clarity and depth.

In conclusion, while "The Boxtrolls" may not reach the zenith of Laika's portfolio, its 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation undeniably reaffirms its status as better than many contemporary offerings from other studios. With its vibrant visuals, detailed animation, and a robust selection of bonus content, this release is a must-have for fans and newcomers alike, elevating the home viewing experience significantly. Despite the absence of a 3D option, the 4K UHD version comes highly recommended, showcasing an enthralling visual and auditory experience that laudably captures the essence of Laika's storytelling craftsmanship.