The Boxtrolls Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Boxtrolls" maintains an exemplary quality, reflecting a meticulous transfer process. The film is encoded using MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Shout! Factory delivers an outstanding restoration, merging the whimsical artistry of Laika with a high-definition display. The Claymation style, though not as intricately detailed as some other animations, remains a visual marvel. The color palette primarily features pastel tones punctuated by vivid primary colors, creating a visually engaging contrast. Black levels are impeccably deep, ensuring that shadow details, such as those in the cavernous troll cave and the night scenes of Cheesebridge, retain their intended impact without compromising detail.

The encode achieves near-perfection with spectacular clarity and detail retention, although differences from the previous 2014 release by Universal may be negligible to untrained eyes. The transfer achieves substantial depth, reminiscent of its original 3D intent, even when viewed in 2D. Characters exhibit dynamic motion with no jitter or blur distortion, while strong camera movements effectively enhance the depth of field. Colors are faithfully reproduced, delivering robust reds and blues particularly in fabric textures, alongside a suggestive sepia aesthetic which is both natural and unobtrusive.

Technical fidelity in this release extends to the decoration and textures of Laika's intricate set designs, capturing opulence within the Boxtrolls’ underground realm. Skin textures are intentionally exaggerated for character depiction, while fibrous costuming further enhances the tangible feel. Noise and artifacts are virtually nonexistent, underscoring a superior quality experience. While the leaps in quality from Universal's previous version are subtle, Shout! Factory’s rendition elevates these elements subtly, preserving and slightly enhancing the movie's original aesthetic intent with improvements noticeable to discerning viewers.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA lossless track of "The Boxtrolls" Blu-ray delivers an immersive audio experience that closely replicates the theatrical soundscape. The mix efficiently utilizes all six channels, with dialogue prominently placed at the forefront, allowing for dynamic panning effects across the front speakers during certain scenes, notably in the underground sequences featuring Egg's voice. Surround channels are expertly engaged, bringing the animated world to life as they accentuate Snatcher's pursuits and the climactic battle sequences. The soundtrack also effectively illuminates the rear channels, ensuring continuous engagement even during quieter moments. The low-frequency effects (LFE) provide a robust presence with each mechanical roar and explosion, adding a visceral punch that enhances the viewing experience.

The audio presentation skillfully balances the distinct linguistic elements of the film, preserving both the subterranean language of the Boxtrolls and the crisp English of the human characters. Scoring is handled with precision, with clear instrumentation and operatic vocals. Surround channels capture town atmospherics and bustling community sounds, supplemented by intricate directional effects that include metallic movements and fire bursts, fostering a circular engagement. While the low-end can feel slightly restrained at times, it effectively supports machine movement and weighty elements like rolling cheese.

Overall, this DTS-HD MA mix remains as impressive now as it was upon its initial release. It achieves an engaging balance between music, dialogue, and sound effects, offering strong dynamics and lifelike atmospherics. The surround sound presentation excels with its playfulness and accurate depiction of onscreen events through individual speaker contributions. The mix is rich in depth, providing a sense of spatial presence that allows listeners to genuinely feel the environment. Dialogue clarity is paramount, ensuring crisp vocal reproduction throughout.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Boxtrolls" provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration into the creative process behind the film. With a robust selection of featurettes, the disc delves into the intricacies of character design, story development, and the remarkable animation techniques that define LAIKA's signature style. The audio commentary with directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi enriches the viewer’s understanding by offering unique insights into the film's directorial decisions. Featurettes such as "Inside LAIKA" and "Dare to Be Square" unravel the complexities of stop-motion animation and character-building, showcasing concept art, storyboards, and early production videos. Additionally, short segments like "Allergic to Easy" and "On the Shoulders of Giants" emphasize LAIKA's dedication to innovation and detail-driven storytelling. Overall, these extras effectively highlight the skill and creativity at the heart of "The Boxtrolls," making them an invaluable resource for aficionados of animation.

Extras included in this disc:

• New Animation Test Footage: Unreleased footage offering a fresh glimpse at early animation tests.
• Inside LAIKA: Featurettes exploring the characters' designs and personalities.
• Feature-Length Storyboards: Over 96 minutes of storyboards detailing initial design and story flow.
• Dare to be Square: Behind-the-scenes segments revealing the film's production journey.
• The Nature of Creation: Explores natural element creation in stop-motion.
• Trolls Right Off the Tongue: Details voice talent contributions to Boxtroll language.
• Allergic to Easy: Celebrates meticulous design work at LAIKA.
• Let's Dance: Music video with ball sequence footage.
• On the Shoulders of Giants: Examines challenges in animating the mecha drill.
• Still Galleries: Includes Character Art, Concept Art, and Behind the Scenes galleries.
• Theatrical Trailer: Provides a promotional look at the film’s final appeal.

The Boxtrolls, Laika's third cinematic venture, carves its niche in the realm of animation with a blend of whimsy and subtle darkness, adapted from Alan Snow's beloved book, "Here Be Monsters." Revered for their unique claymation style, Laika presents a visually striking narrative that retains their signature dry, English humor. The film unfolds in the peculiar town of Cheesebridge, where residents fear the enigmatic Boxtrolls living beneath them. Led by their mustached antagonist, Archibald Snatcher—superbly voiced by Ben Kingsley—these creatures are unfairly maligned as menaces, though they are harmless tinkerers. Central to the story is Eggs (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), an orphan raised by the Boxtrolls, who allies with Winnie (Elle Fanning) to unveil the truth.

While The Boxtrolls may not match the atmospheric depth of Coraline or ParaNorman, it captivates with its charmingly oddball approach, reminiscent of a waltz between Tim Burton's eerie aesthetics and Monty Python's witty satire. The film cleverly subverts classic hero-villain tropes, offering tongue-in-cheek humor that engages both children and adults. Its artful stop-motion animation is its crowning glory, from the intricate design of Snatcher's grotesque visage to the quirky gibberish of Fish, a Boxtroll. However, while the visual storytelling excels, the script struggles to stretch its relatively thin plot across feature-length, making some pacing uneven.

Laika brilliantly infuses The Boxtrolls with an old English steampunk flair, maintaining their Gothic horror sensibility without crossing into true horror. This distinct aesthetic, paired with the film’s family-friendly appeal, crafts an engaging yet mild foray into animated storytelling. Despite not surpassing its illustrious predecessors, The Boxtrolls stands tall as an enchanting addition to Laika’s repertoire and a visually delightful piece that enriches technical advancements in animation.

"The Boxtrolls" Blu-ray release by Shout Factory presents a captivating blend of artistry and technical prowess. Retaining the charm of Claymation with modern CGI, the film delivers a visually stunning experience that stands out in today's animation landscape. The narrative balances childlike wonder with humor that appeals to adults without veering into crass territory, though its comedic timing sometimes wavers. This edition doesn't mark a significant leap in quality over the Universal Blu-ray, despite a new transfer and additional extras. Still, the refreshed packaging and content make it an attractive option for first-time buyers or avid collectors.

Technically, the Blu-ray is nearly impeccable. Presented in a 1.78:1 AVC aspect ratio with English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio, its visual and auditory clarity is top-notch, though not substantially different from its predecessor. Extras enrich the package, enhancing the overall viewing experience, and the inclusion of subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish broadens accessibility. With a runtime of 97 minutes and rated PG, the film features a stellar voice cast, including Ben Kingsley and Elle Fanning, who bring depth to their distinct characters.

In conclusion, "The Boxtrolls" offers a fun viewing experience, even if it's not without flaws. It succeeds in charming audiences with its distinct animation style and engaging voice performances but occasionally falters in narrative pacing. If you possess the previous release, consider your affinity for added content before upgrading. However, if you're new to "The Boxtrolls," this edition is unquestionably the definitive choice.