The Boys In The Boat

"The Boys in the Boat" is a sports drama based on the non-fiction book written by Daniel James Brown. The film is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the ony VENICE camera system and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. The picture is beautiful with gorgeous cinematography by Martin Ruhe, ASC. The color palette is warm and rich with a production design that elisits the 1930's period the picture is set in. Hues are saturated with a natral gleem. The woods of the boat shell and the classic motor boats exhibits the perfect brownish varnish. Flesh tones are perfectly accurate. Contrast is perfectly natural and realistic. Black levels are naturally deep. Shadows are revealing during the night scenes. White levels are never exaggerated but realistic. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited in facial features, especially during closeups of skin pores and hair. Clothing,uniforms and men's hats are realistic. Object textures are finely resolved. The water is appears realistic as well. Every frame is beautiful and the Olymmpic setting in Hambug Natzi Germany with its red flags is stunning. This is a beautifully crafted sports drama that exhibits a wonderful color palette. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is predomentally a Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack that sounds dynamic with aggressive surround envelopment. Atmospherics are realistic sounding. Sound effects are powerful, especially with regard to the roaring and the oars moving in the boats. Crowd noises are massive and envelop the soundfield. The orchestra score is dynamic with a wide and deep soundstage and an aggressive surround presence. The music is delivers deep bass frequencies that provide a solid foundation. Fidelity is excellent. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with realistic ADR production.

The Immersive Sound element is virtually non-existent except for some very sporadic low level subtle din atmospherics and a brief crowd sound at a train station and the Olympic stadium, noting of any consequence. This is a disappointment as there are numerous opportunities to create an effective height layer. for true spherical spatial surround immersion. This should never been credited as a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

As for the actual ear level sound elements, this is a wonderfully realistic and exciting ear-level holosonic® soundtrack that delivers an emotional impact. (Gary Reber)