A few words about... Full Metal Jacket -- In High Definition

Robert Harris · 05-10-2006, 11:28 PM

For many people, history is being made next week, with the arrival of the first Stanley Kubrick film in the new High Definition format.

Full Metal Jacket (1987) has a totally different look than either Unforgiven or the most recent films on HD.

While differences in grain structure and resolution are less apparent in regular definition video, in High Definition they take on attributes more like projected film.

As such, Full Metal Jacket has (quite appropriately) visible film grain.

This is as intended and as shot.

What is also new to this version is the clarity of color and tonality discussed in other "Few words" pieces.

The greens of uniforms, the whites of the Viet-UK skies, and the subtle differentiations in the complextions of the soldiers in the many close-ups, all come together to create a perfect home experience for Mr. Kubrick's work.

A great and important film done right. I believe Mr. Kubrick would be pleased.

I can only imagine what Spartacus will look like when Universal pulls the trigger on that one.

Give me more HD.

Yet another release very, very highly recommended.

RAH

Jack Briggs · 05-11-2006, 12:12 PM

Thank you, Mr. Harris, for reporting on a favorite film of mine. I am increasingly inclined to simply break down and buy into HD DVD now.

Steve Blair · 05-11-2006, 12:15 PM

Give in, you won't regret it

Thanks Robert, buying both this and Unforgiven on tuesday. Warner and Universal are really doing well with hd dvd output as I'm buying 2-4 per week...

Dan Hitchman · 05-11-2006, 12:23 PM

Is it framed in widescreen... finally?

I'd assume as with most "matted" WB releases it would be 1.78:1.

Dan

Michael Boyd · 05-11-2006, 12:24 PM

^ What I am curious about.

**HTF Ads**

Walter Kittel · 05-11-2006, 12:31 PM

Dan, there is another Full Metal Jacket thread in High Definition that discusses the A.R.; in this case 1.78:1.

- Walter.

Michel_Hafner · 05-11-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

Give me more HD.
RAH

Yes, it's quite addictive. I had my HD initiation some years ago with naturally not so well compressed material. Then came D-Theater. Many, many times I felt like weeping looking at the pictures, going from perfect black (courtesy of CRT projection) via the most gorgeous colors to white. Unreal beauty unleashed by master photographers: Moulin Rouge, American Beauty, Blue Velvet and so on (HD docus in 1080i with the regular HD video look bore me mightily on the other hand). On top material all the usual DVD garbage (such as EE) was gone.
The average opinion may be that HD is not much better than DVD. Whoever can see what really is on the sources knows better, though. There is no comparison.

Michael Osadciw · 05-11-2006, 11:46 PM

"greens in uniforms"

...I have to agree with this (even though I haven't seen the FMJ HD-DVD yet) because it was the colour green that I saw a huge improvement with HD over SD-DVDs.

I admit I'm very curious to see how a grainy film translates to HD. I expect it to look very different than it does on SD-DVD.

Thanks for igniting that thought, now I'm a little more eager than ever...

Mike

PaulBigelow · 05-12-2006, 12:22 AM

FMJ has been in HD on HDNet Moves, 1.78:1 Very nice transfer.

Robert Harris · 05-12-2006, 10:16 AM

While FMJ displays grain, it cannot be considered "grainy."

RAH

Ed St. Clair · 05-12-2006, 03:09 PM

Mr. Harris,
Would you know the reason behind the change in aspect ratio from the previous home video release?
Thank you.

Any one else that would like to chime in with "news" (facts) of why this title is widescreen, would all so be welcome to by me.