Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro’s acclaimed film, The Shape of Water, is set to join The Criterion Collection with an upcoming 4K Blu-ray edition, scheduled for release on November 26. This edition is currently available for preorder at a price of $35, reflecting a 30% discount from its original list price of $50. At its core, The Shape of Water tells a love story that explores an unconventional romance between an isolated woman and a humanoid amphibian, showcasing del Toro’s unique storytelling and meticulous world-building. The film received critical acclaim, winning the Best Picture and Best Director awards at the 2018 Academy Awards.
As fans await the opportunity to rewatch The Shape of Water, there is also a novelization now available, co-authored by del Toro, offered in hardcover for $31 and Kindle format for $13. A new paperback edition of the novelization is expected to release next May.
Notably, The Shape of Water will launch just a week prior to Criterion’s 40th anniversary celebration, highlighted by the release of a special 40-film box set on November 19, priced at $800, with a preorder option available for $560.
The Criterion Collection is renowned for presenting films as their creators intended, often featuring additional content that enriches viewers’ understanding of each movie. The Shape of Water’s director-approved edition provides several exciting features:
– A 4K digital master, supervised by Guillermo del Toro
– A 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
– One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in HDR
– One standard Blu-ray containing the film and special features
– A new discussion featuring del Toro and filmmaker David Lowery
– A documentary titled A Fairy Tale for Troubled Times, showcasing production design, performances, special effects, and score
– Prologue and Anatomy of a Scene: The Dance
– An interview with illustrator James Jean in Shaping the Waves
– A masterclass from 2017 discussing the film’s technical aspects, with del Toro and crew members
– Trailers, English subtitles, and English descriptive audio
– An insightful essay by film critic Carlos Aguilar
The Shape of Water will be the fifth del Toro film included in The Criterion Collection, joining other notable works like Pinocchio and Pan’s Labyrinth. Fans can also expect engaging literature related to the film, including Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water: Creating a Fairy Tale for Troubled Times, an art book chronicling the filmmaking process.
Additionally, The Shape of Water’s novelization, offering a deeper dive into the film’s narrative, is a remarkable addition to the collection of works inspired by del Toro’s cinematic creations. Be sure to explore the world of Guillermo del Toro’s films, as his storytelling continues to captivate audiences and inspire new interpretations.
