A few words about...™ Iron Man -- in Blu-ray

Robert Harris · 09-11-2008, 11:22 PM

Although I'd seen his work in small roles previous to Richard Attenborough's Chaplin (1992), it was that film that had me thinking that he was one of this country's most talented actors.

Nothing in the interim has changed my position, and after viewing Iron Man in Blu-ray, I find my thinking confirmed.

Mr. Downey's Tony Stark is one of those performances that makes comparisons of a different actor in the role implausible. Mr. Downey simply nails it.

So too does Paramount with a letter perfect rendition of the film on Blu-ray.

Although wildly different, Iron Man is a film that at times during the finale had me thinking of two earlier films. One released some 10 months previous (Transformers) and another quite a bit older, going back some 65 years -- Frankenstein Meet the Wolfman.

A lighter film than the most recent Batman epics, Iron Man, which seems to have been designed for a bit younger audience, is terrific fun.

A fine film and a beautifully rendered Blu-ray disc that represents itself very nicely projected on a large home theater screen. Beautiful imagery. Great lossless audio and probably more extras than one has free to time enjoy.

Recommended.

MatS · 09-11-2008, 11:32 PM

well said ... re: Downey

I look forward to this BD so I can say the same about the software itself

Ron-P · 09-12-2008, 02:49 AM

The best comic book movie to come along in several years, this is going to be simply fantastic on Blu. I rarely go to the theater, I went twice to see this. Comic book film making at it's best.

PaulDA · 09-12-2008, 09:14 AM

Another for my small but quickly growing list of BDs--sadly, did not get to see this at the cinema.

Downey Jr.'s also very effective in Zodiac (one of my favourite films of the past 5 years) and is almost always among the better actors in whatever film I've seen him in.

Cassy_w · 09-12-2008, 01:12 PM

I just read a review at IGN complaining about 'noise' in the picture, though not in the CGI sequences.

OK, can someone please slap that person? This is why grain = evil to studios, because of tards like this.

Thanks to Mr. Harris for giving us the word. I'll order this one without worry.

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Todd smith · 09-12-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassy_w

I just read a review at IGN complaining about 'noise' in the picture, though not in the CGI sequences.

OK, can someone please slap that person? This is why grain = evil to studios, because of tards like this.

Thanks to Mr. Harris for giving us the word. I'll order this one without worry.

I am going to hold off after the 3rd report of restricted (approx 4db) dynamic range on the TrueHD soundtrack compared to the lossy DD. Could be the disc or could be some sort of other issue, but 3 reports now from reviewers. This audio review best describes the issue.......

Blu-ray review of Iron Man (Ultimate 2-Disc Edition) - DVDTOWN.com

Brian Borst · 09-12-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassy_w

I just read a review at IGN complaining about 'noise' in the picture, though not in the CGI sequences.

OK, can someone please slap that person? This is why grain = evil to studios, because of tards like this.

Thanks to Mr. Harris for giving us the word. I'll order this one without worry.

I thought that the CGI sequences were shot with different lenses (cameras?) than during the normal sequences. That could be the answer for this problem. Still doesn't explain IGN's attitude towards grain, though.

pitchman · 09-12-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd smith

I am going to hold off after the 3rd report of restricted (approx 4db) dynamic range on the TrueHD soundtrack compared to the lossy DD. Could be the disc or could be some sort of other issue, but 3 reports now from reviewers. This audio review best describes the issue.......

Blu-ray review of Iron Man (Ultimate 2-Disc Edition) - DVDTOWN.com

FWIW, Peter Bracke didn't seem to find any fault with the audio in his review over at Hi-Def Digest. I generally trust his reviews, and knowing that R.A.H. also endorses this release, that's good enough for me. As always, YMMV, but after reading the DVD Town review, this is just not enough of an issue for me to sit this one out.

Robert Harris · 09-12-2008, 05:09 PM

Iron man is a DI, photographed on two different Eastman stocks, 5217 (200T) and 5218 (500T), which may be what some are discussing.

I saw no problems whatsoever.

Just a beautiful transparent move to Blu-ray.

Todd smith · 09-12-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitchman

FWIW, Peter Bracke didn't seem to find any fault with the audio in his review over at Hi-Def Digest. I generally trust his reviews, and knowing that R.A.H. also endorses this release, that's good enough for me. As always, YMMV, but after reading the DVD Town review, this is just not enough of an issue for me to sit this one out.

The fact that Peter did not find this does not surprise me for a few reasons (not the most credible reviewer IMO)....He also did not have the SD lossy DD edition on hand to do a comparison. John and Jason are more credible reviewers at Dvdtown IMHO and these guys know what they are doing. Ralph Potts at AVS also found the same issue who I consider to be a great/credible reviewer. This is enough for me to hold off until we get some sort of resolve.

Todd smith · 09-12-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd smith

The fact that Peter did not find this does not surprise me for a few reasons (not the most credible reviewer IMO)....He also did not have the SD lossy DD edition on hand to do a comparison. John and Jason are more credible reviewers at Dvdtown IMHO and these guys know what they are doing. Ralph Potts at AVS also found the same issue who I consider to be a great/credible reviewer. This is enough for me to hold off until we get some sort of resolve.

Edit: Ralph on AVS has discovered that DRC was set to "AUTO" for the TrueHD track and turning this to "OFF" has solved his issue. Waiting for confirmation from the dvdtown guys as this may be the problem they are having as well. Some of the new pre/pros/receivers default to "AUTO" on the DRC mode for any TrueHD track played (which my Onkyo 885 does and has to be turned to OFF everytime you listen to a TrueHD track). This should be why some are having the issue and is a simple fix if so. Everyone should be aware of this setting either way as this affects any TrueHD track and needs to be put to off each and every time (atleast on the Onkyo 885 and probably the whole Onkyo line. Dont know about Denon, etc.....).