HTF REVIEW: Heat - Two Disc Special Edition - Page 2

But if it is meant to imply that the script is crap, buoyed only by the performances, then it was a poor illustration. CHINATOWN is widely considered one of the greatest scripts in Hollywood history by most film aficionados, but would the film still hold as exalted a place in our hearts if it had starred, say, Ryan O'Neal and Barbara Streisand? Even the best script can be crippled by poor casting; personally, I feel the performances and writing work hand-in-hand in the case of HEAT to make it the modern classic it's become...

What Michael said. Basically I'm saying that the pairing of Pacino and De Niro arguably the two greatest actors of our time, has elevated this overlong but very well made thriller to almost mythic status. The pairing of Costner and Russell good actors though they are would not have made this film what it is today, a modern classic, IMO.

Travis,

Now that you mentioned it, I do see subtle differences in the screenshots so maybe there is a slight increase in PQ on this release. Definitely not the noticeable improvement I had hoped for, though. Oh well, it's still one of my favorite movies and I must have it in my collection even if it's not a reference disc.

I guess I'll buy the R2 dts version while I can. I was waiting on this special additon. However, it doesn't sound all that special.

Guys,

It does look as is the framing is a bit different between these versions.

Take a look at the comparison shots with Deniro. Assuming these are both the same frames, Deniro's hairline is different as is what is shown of the camera.

EDIT: These might be different frames. Herb, are you aware of this?

The transfer from film and the mastering for DVD are two separate steps. It sounds like they used their original transfer and remastered the file for this DVD. The improvement in compression technology since the original's release probably explains the slight increase in picture quality.

This movie, in my opinion, has one of the best Dolby 5.1 tracks I've ever heard. I felt the only improvement would be DTS.
No sale for me, sorry.

Going by those captures, it looks like the original release has the better picture quality.

The SE looks a tad more washed-out.

I'll be picking this one up on release date. Heat is one of the few films I've held off on getting because it was an early release and was due for an SE. A shame that Warner has not taken the time to improve the transfer for what I'm sure is one their most requested titles for re-release. They know better as shown by the major improvement they made with 'The Matrix' re-release.

I agree. The original is slightly more detailed and defined. It looks as if the new release has gone through some sort of filtering.

DVDfile is reporting the new transfer is slightly better.

As others have said, I am disappointed. I too, already sold my previous edition assuming this one would have a better A/V presentation. Since I've already done the deed, I'll just pick this one up for the commentary. I probably wont watch the stuff on disc two, but I would like to hear the commentary.

Warner is usually pretty good with their re-releases, so I'll forgive them on this one, but I just hope they aren't getting a touch of Columbia-itis.

This is a very good movie, but to put it into 'mythic' status is overreaching!

This may have been discussed before, but I've always had the impression that DeNiro and Pacino were never on set together. In fact, in multiple viewings I have never witnessed one scene where both of their faces are visible in frame together. When Pacino approaches DeNiro's car on the side of the freeway, you just see the back of "DeNiro's" head.

The cafe conversation is nothing but a series of back and forth shots. Even at the end when (just in case) Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) you'd never be able to tell if it was both of them together.

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I've always thought that if you had two actors like DeNiro and Pacino on set or on location together, wouldn't you want to shoot them together? Not that this takes away from the film-I love this film. Jst being a conspiracy theorist I guess...

Andrew, that's Bunk. It's reached the status of urban legend now.

Wow! It seems like I'm the only one who's buying this, and I was the one who complained that it was overrated, oh sweet irony.
So, is this edition of Heat a hit or myth?

Shall I be more articulate...@#$% Warner!

Even back when the horrible coverart (mainly the color)was officially released, it just brought a gut feeling we were in for a dissappointment.

This is funny. So the transfer is either the same, worse or better! On a side note, why is it imposible to find a decent version of Manhunter?

But in the opening shot of that scene it is a two-shot of them facing each other.

And Steve; you arent the only one buying this. Im counting the days till this release. I just about wet my pants when I heard this was coming out, new transfer or not.

Actually, I thought it was different, but not better or worse, so there's a fourth option!

Nope. There's a PHOTO of this in the supplements, but there's never a shot of them in the coffee shop that makes it clear De Niro and Pacino are together. I know that they did the scene together, but the movie does look awfully suspicious...

My first rule...never sell your copy, pick up the re-release, wait for reviews, if they're good then sell the original. If not, return the re-release. Repeat.

In my opinion, this one needed a bump in Video quality. I'm actually suprised they did nothing to it. I guess I'll be waiting for Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?

This is the second time I have gotten burned -- you think I would've learned the first time. I recently sold Batman (89) in anticipation of a strong rumored May re-release. Hopefully , it won't be a third time for me.

this has always been my one, and only problem with this film.
it was somewhat "fan hyped" as being the first and only time these two actors were in the same scene together, and mann blows it by not even showing them in the scene TOGETHER.
its just a series of back of the head to face shots.
this was just poor judgement and i dont understand the reasoning behind it.

was it addressed in the commentary?


i almost sold my origional on ebay but the buyer weasled out of it. so i guess i'll just keep it.

By comparing the screen shots in a photoshop, I see slight differences in the transfers... the new one appears a bit softer, so less graining, but also with less digital artifacts, so less stair-stepping on diagonal lines. Overall, 95% the same. I think the new one will hold up better on large screens. We'll see.

Am I the only one who thinks that the reviewer (and DVDFile) has the supplement info wrong?

The Surprise of a Lifetime, Two Actors Collide, and Closing In are not trailers for films but featurettes (I think, too lazy to go check).

If they are trailers, those films must have bombed caused I never heard of them!

Oops, I checked, never mind, those are trailers for Heat (I guess they came up with different names).