Just got this set. The new transfer for GB1 is an improvement, but it's still not what would be my ideal presentation for the movie because it's veered from one extreme to the other.
The digitalized softness of the previous transfer has been replaced by a morass of grain with not a tremendous gain in terms of fine detail. If anything, close-ups are more detailed on the new transfer but the old release seems better on longer shots! The higher brightness doesn't become an issue until the Gozer sequences which have become very bright and blow out a ton of set detail, as seen on some other grabs linked to in this thread. Pity.
But I've gotta say that the optical shots have held up very well considering the ramped up grain and brightness levels. Someone complained about the garbage matte around the terror dog when it runs from Louis' apartment, but it's there on the old transfer. Anthony complains above about the optical shot of the terror dog statue - but it's just as translucent on the older transfer IMO.
With a little noise reduction applied, the new transfer for GB1 is still very enjoyable, but I'm not sure it was worth getting this set for. However, the real gem is the new transfer for GB2. It's not too soft, but not too sharp either, being nicely detailed with a moderate amount of grain and full colours. And no severe edge halos on either transfer! Good job.
One more thing: check the onlooker at the left of the frame on the first film at around the 1hr 8 minute mark. Apologies if this is common knowledge, but you'll spot someone who looks a heck of a lot like porn legend Ron Jeremy...
The digitalized softness of the previous transfer has been replaced by a morass of grain with not a tremendous gain in terms of fine detail. If anything, close-ups are more detailed on the new transfer but the old release seems better on longer shots! The higher brightness doesn't become an issue until the Gozer sequences which have become very bright and blow out a ton of set detail, as seen on some other grabs linked to in this thread. Pity.
But I've gotta say that the optical shots have held up very well considering the ramped up grain and brightness levels. Someone complained about the garbage matte around the terror dog when it runs from Louis' apartment, but it's there on the old transfer. Anthony complains above about the optical shot of the terror dog statue - but it's just as translucent on the older transfer IMO.
With a little noise reduction applied, the new transfer for GB1 is still very enjoyable, but I'm not sure it was worth getting this set for. However, the real gem is the new transfer for GB2. It's not too soft, but not too sharp either, being nicely detailed with a moderate amount of grain and full colours. And no severe edge halos on either transfer! Good job.
One more thing: check the onlooker at the left of the frame on the first film at around the 1hr 8 minute mark. Apologies if this is common knowledge, but you'll spot someone who looks a heck of a lot like porn legend Ron Jeremy...
