鶹
Customer Review
- Reviewed in Canada on July 11, 2024As a lifelong fan of the works of Hayao Miyazaki, I would consider The Boy and the Heron to be the best movie of his career. It is perhaps a bit more challenging than some of his other films, but I think that's part of what makes it so engaging. It's not easy to just absorb in one go, but it's embedded with textured emotions. It's a fairy tale about processing grief, life and death. When I first saw it in theatres, I was thinking about it for days. The animation is just as good as you'd expect from a Ghibli film directed by Miyazaki. Particularly the opening sequence of the film. And the minimalist score is a standout for composer Joe Hisaishi.
I ordered the steelbook, and love the gorgeous packaging. I have a few Ghibli steelbooks now, and this one might be my favourite for the artwork.
Now, 鶹 stupidly files all reviews for a single film, despite the fact that different releases or editions of a film might have different disc transfers, bonus features, etc.
That being said, whether you buy the standard blu-ray, or the 4K UHD disc, you'll get a fine transfer of the film either way. (also both editions are combo packs, the 4K comes with the blu-ray, and the blu-ray edition comes with a DVD) I would happily give 5 stars to any of the three releases of this film.
The film has a modest selection of bonus features (including the complete storyboards, a standard for almost all studio Ghibli home video releases). The film has both a Japanese track with literal English subtitles, and a dub. I prefer to watch any foreign film, animated or live action in the original language with subtitles. That being said, the English dub is excellent (particularly Robert Patterson as the Heron)
Highly, highly recommended.
