Release Date: April 15, 2008.
Film Rating:
/ Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Dutch), Carl Weathers (Dillon), Bill Duke (Mac), Jesse Ventura (Blain)
Written by: Jim Thomas & John Thomas
Directed by: John McTiernan
Soon the hunt will begin.
The synopsis for this film has not yet been written. I’ve posted this review a few hours in advance of it’s completion to give you the earliest sneak peek as to what is in store when this disc hits the shelves. I’ll be back later today to complete this portion of the review, but the A/V areas are completed for your reading.
VIDEO QUALITY: 3/5
Like the high definition release of Commando, Predator betters the DVD in terms of detail, depth, and colour resolution. But Predator also has problems with its original photography as well. Some shots are out of focus when the eye craves a razor-sharp image. Despite this, I never understood PQ ratings of DVDs and laserdiscs of the past. Many times the releases were given perfect scores when compared to the transfers of that era. I’ve always disagreed feeling the film was never up to par. The film has always had excessive film grain, hot reds (look at Arnold’s shirt at the beginning of the film or the helicopter ride into the jungle), and average contrast with poor black levels. This Blu-ray disc does seem a bit different from the earliest Predator releases in such that reds aren’t as hot anymore and grain has been reduced somewhat, but image contrast remains average and black levels a bit high to just to be able to see into the “shadows” a bit more. Colour resolution is better with a bit more saturation and naturalness in the greens in the jungle and skin tones don’t look as pale either (benefits of going to HD). But fine picture detail always seems like it could be better, as if whatever print Fox has used for this film has stayed consistent for the past fifteen years. Can Predator ever look any better? I don’t know. I do question these things since HD allows us to put our favourite films under a microscope. HD has increased the demands of consumers for the best image possible. Even though I am happy to view Predator in HD and the benefits are clearly seen, my (possibly unrealistic) expectations can get the better of me.
The aspect ratio is 1.85:1 and the black unused portion of the screen is at the top of the image.
AUDIO QUALITY: 3.5/5
Predator has always had a bit of an odd sound design. I think that it’s great for it’s time; activity all around the listener, dynamic, and the use of sound effects that don’t really date themselves too much. At the same time, there are weird moments in the mix that stand out and make me raise an eyebrow. For example, after the Dutch and his commandos obliterate all of the “rebels” in the jungle and there is dialogue with Dutch as Hawkins tries to gain base communication, the background sound effects such as fire burning and sizzling completely disappear into absolute darkness. Very strange. A few clicks and ticks can be heard in the main channels and dialogue has the occasional strain, but most of the film plays well through this lossless DTS-Master Audio encoding.
As I mentioned before, for a soundtrack from 1987, the mix is very active. Sounds are heard all around. The action moments are explosive and the sounds of guns and explosions are relatively modern and not wimpy or dated. The jungle noises are everywhere, and seeing through the Predator’s eyes is like hearing through his ears and being in his head. The murmuring bass of its poor hearing is heard all around in all channels, and the soundtrack delivers good 360-degree bass. The LFE is used sometimes in the 5.1 remix, but most bass is preserved well in the main channels. Like previous DTS-encoded releases, Alan Silvestri’s score comes alive! Recorded with a wide soundstage, the brass shines through with cleanliness and dynamics. It’s integrated into the mix with slightly more importance than the sound effects intensifying the emotional impact of the film.
There are two soundtrack options: DTS-Master Audio 5.1 and Dolby Digital 4.0. Both are mono surround, although there seems to be a slight pull to the right rear in the 5.1 option making it not quite mono back there. The Dolby Digital 4.0 soundtrack is defective. A QC oversight: the rear channels have a digital-buzzing sound that varies in intensity when played back through my Panasonic DMP-BD10A. Rather than hearing the sounds out of the rear channels as we should, it’s almost pure buzz and the intensity varies based on the loudness of the sound that’s supposed to come through. Yikes, Fox. What are you going to do?
/ TACTILE TRANSDUCER ON/ON?: ON
The LFE moments in this film alright but not overwhelmingly exciting. Still, I feel there is value to using a bass shaker for a little bit of sci-fi fun.
A collector's edition was released in 2004 that included a documentary, featurettes, a deleted scene and outtakes, audio commentary, text commentary, etc... None of this has been included on this release and I don't think it's unrealistic for consumers to expect it either. Disappointingly, there are no special features on this disc except for an HD theatrical trailer and D-Box motion control. The latter is a cool feature that I’d hope to be equipped with someday, but for the high costs of this toy, I’d rather finish upgrading my reference system with the best performance A/V gear possible. Almost there…
IN THE END...
Thank you Fox for releasing one of my favourite ‘80’s science fiction flicks. I know many people will be ready to pick this title up when it arrives on store shelves. If you have been satisfied with the picture and sound quality on past DVD releases then you will 100% approve of the performance here. I’ve always dreamed of a video overhaul when this title finally came to high definition so I can say that my impressions were very good, but not what I was hoping for…hence the reason I am a bit hard on the video score. Compared to other newer and older releases, the video of Predator won’t wow anyone but those appreciative of the benefits of a high def upgrade will be content. Though the Dolby Digital 4.0 problem is a different story…
Michael Osadciw
March 30, 2008.
Review System
