A few words about…™ Weathering with You – in 4k UHD Blu-ray

Some animated films, like the work of Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli) go beyond the norm, and can be considered
true art, as they combine the old ways of animation with the new.

I’d never seen a Makoto Shinkai film (he’s made about half a dozen), but was blown away by Weathering with You.
It has nothing to do with the work of Neil Simon, although it’s the tale of a teenage girl who becomes a “sunshine girl.”

I screening the new Shout Factory / GKIDS 4k release, and although it’s presumably from the final 2k files, it’s sharp as
a tack, and as there are some shots with cry out for a more highly resolved image, that’s a positive attribute.

To honor the work, Shout is releasing three variants. A standard issue Blu-ray, currently in pre-sale at $20 with interviews and bonus features,
a steelbook Blu-ray, with the same features, currently at $28, and the special boxed set 4k, with three addition discs, a 104 page book, and a mini-poster.

The Feature in 4k, the feature in Blu-ray, with standard Blu-ray features, a disc of additional bonus features, including a superb feature-length documentary on the film’s production – basically a course in modern animated film-making, and a fourth disc – a CD of the music score.

While I’m extremely appreciative of the huge-budgeted Disney animated works (when they’re good), I find the Japanese productions to be
very special. Weathering was reportedly produced for eleven million dollars, and had a worldwide gross of around two hundred million. Audiences love it, and I concur.

Interestingly, it’s the first animated film in which I’ve seen Apple computers, both in production, as well on screen.

Although it has the GKIDS label, I’d probably not suggest it for smaller children. It’s properly rated PG-13.

As a film, I recommend going in cold without reading reviews that discuss the plot.

Image – 5

Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
Pass / Fail – Pass

Very Highly Recommended

RAH