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Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

post #1 of 59
7/15/08 at 8:37am
Thread Starter 
From a UK site, dated 16 September 2008.

Click me for art

Considering this is STILL my favorite film of an exceptional strong summer, I hope it finds an audience at home Looks a bit light on special features, but as long as the PQ is as good as possible with some uncompressed audio to back it up, this should be a reference disc for some time.
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post #2 of 59
7/15/08 at 8:40am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

This will be a definite Blu-ray purchase for me (it will sit nicely with the 5 DVDs of the original series on my shelf). I don't even own a BD player yet and I've already lined this one up to buy. While I wouldn't call it the best film of the year or anything, I do think too many critics lambasted it without being familiar with the originals. I've been watching the originals again with my kids and the more I watch, the clearer their influence on the film becomes.
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post #3 of 59
7/15/08 at 11:09am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Mayer
From a UK site, dated 16 September 2008.

Click me for art

Considering this is STILL my favorite film of an exceptional strong summer, I hope it finds an audience at home Looks a bit light on special features, but as long as the PQ is as good as possible with some uncompressed audio to back it up, this should be a reference disc for some time.

I feel bad I didn't get to see this in theaters. Oh well I'll make up for my lack of
support by buying this on the day of release
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post #4 of 59
7/15/08 at 12:52pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Mayer
as long as the PQ is as good as possible
Wonder if the BD will represent the original source or the theatrical look?
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post #5 of 59
7/15/08 at 2:13pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed St. Clair
Wonder if the BD will represent the original source or the theatrical look?
I would be greatly disappointed if it represented the theatrical look in this case, as there were compromises made in the color for the film prints.

I can't wait for this release. I loved it in the theater, and I think I'll adore it on Blu.
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post #6 of 59
7/15/08 at 2:35pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I'm expecting a port of the original digital files and nothing less.
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post #7 of 59
7/15/08 at 2:53pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I was in Sears yesterday looking at HD sets, and the trailer came up in the summer movie loop that was running. I don't know what sort of signal they're feeding all the tv's there, but it looked spectacular! It made me wish I could go see it again!

Really looking forward to the Blu Ray!
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post #8 of 59
7/15/08 at 4:27pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Luckily, the Blu-ray seems to be regularly priced. It's a three disc set, but it's unlikely that anyone will ever use the last two discs. Disc two is a DVD game and disc three is a digital copy of the film.

To anyone who hasn't seen the film, I fully recommend it. It's probably the most entertaining film I've seen all year. Just remember to have fun.
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post #9 of 59
7/16/08 at 2:59am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
I would be greatly disappointed if it represented the theatrical look in this case, as there were compromises made in the color for the film prints.
That was very interesting information - thank you.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I liked the film. It wasn't the best film, hell, I wouldn'teven say it's a good film, but it was an astonishing experience, and I loved the fact that they seemed almost to be experimenting with how much stuff they can throw at the viewer and have the experience still remain comprehensible. And on Blu-Ray, it will be even better. Cool.
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post #10 of 59
7/16/08 at 4:32am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I'm not sure yet if I'll try a blind-buy on this or go the rental route. If there wasn't so much coming out on BD this fall I'd be more inclined to take a chance.
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post #11 of 59
7/16/08 at 9:34am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulDA
This will be a definite Blu-ray purchase for me (it will sit nicely with the 5 DVDs of the original series on my shelf). I don't even own a BD player yet and I've already lined this one up to buy. While I wouldn't call it the best film of the year or anything, I do think too many critics lambasted it without being familiar with the originals. I've been watching the originals again with my kids and the more I watch, the clearer their influence on the film becomes.

I haven't really watched any of the original series, but I find it hard to believe that the cartoon had as many flash backs, flash forwards, and just generally too dense of a backstory as the first third of this film had. I think this was where the greatest mistakes were made if this was ever truly aimed at kids as the movie's promotion would have you believe. If it wasn't, I guess it was just simply a case of grossly over-estimating the interest in this property.

That said, I couldn't recommned this film as a blind-buy to anyone, but definitely a rental. I may pick it up for demo material/family movie night viewing (when my kids are a little older this time) if the title is deeply discounted at some point.
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post #12 of 59
7/16/08 at 12:31pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

An under-rated film (coming from someone who was never a fan of the cartoon), and one that I eagerly await on blu.

The fan antipathy the Wachowskis incurred as a result of the Matrix sequels unfairly tainted this effort.

--Jefferson Morris
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post #13 of 59
7/16/08 at 1:53pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Arnette
I haven't really watched any of the original series, but I find it hard to believe that the cartoon had as many flash backs, flash forwards, and just generally too dense of a backstory as the first third of this film had. I think this was where the greatest mistakes were made if this was ever truly aimed at kids as the movie's promotion would have you believe. If it wasn't, I guess it was just simply a case of grossly over-estimating the interest in this property.

That said, I couldn't recommned this film as a blind-buy to anyone, but definitely a rental. I may pick it up for demo material/family movie night viewing (when my kids are a little older this time) if the title is deeply discounted at some point.
I saw the film as a manga inspired by the TV show. The first 1/3 is indeed all over, temporally, but in a way that to me recalls the times I've read comics and marvelled by the ability to be everywhere at once on one page, depending on the panel.

But yes, I would recommend a rental for most, but this is an enthusiastic buy for me.

Also, great, GREAT score by Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and the ROAR! music from Cloverfield's end credits). Check out a few tunes from the soundtrack album off iTunes or something. It's amazing what he did with the score.
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post #14 of 59
7/16/08 at 3:21pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Arnette
I haven't really watched any of the original series, but I find it hard to believe that the cartoon had as many flash backs, flash forwards, and just generally too dense of a backstory as the first third of this film had. I think this was where the greatest mistakes were made if this was ever truly aimed at kids as the movie's promotion would have you believe. If it wasn't, I guess it was just simply a case of grossly over-estimating the interest in this property.

That said, I couldn't recommned this film as a blind-buy to anyone, but definitely a rental. I may pick it up for demo material/family movie night viewing (when my kids are a little older this time) if the title is deeply discounted at some point.
Flashbacks were not uncommon, though flashforwards were not really there. I was referring to the business rivalry plot elements that people derided as not in tune with the material--that kind of stuff is in a lot of episodes. The road race in the middle of the film is definitely inspired by the originals--probably the moment when the film most resembles the originals, actually. The ideal time for this movie would have been 20 years ago, in terms of target audience and attachment to the originals, but it was only possible in this decade (this past 24-36 months?). In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it will likely be the first BD to be screened here (I've been promised a player for Christmas, but that doesn't mean I can't get a few key titles beforehand ).
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post #15 of 59
7/16/08 at 3:29pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Yeah, let's keep Lawrence of Arabia on the back burner and have more Speed Racer releases. Geeze.....
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post #16 of 59
7/16/08 at 3:35pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hermes
Yeah, let's keep Lawrence of Arabia on the back burner and have more Speed Racer releases. Geeze.....


One can enjoy many types of movies--at least most people can. Lawrence of Arabia will take more time and effort to bring to BD properly (Speed Racer just needs to be ported over from a digital source--much simpler procedure). It's not a zero sum game. Both of those titles will sit on my shelf in BD.
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post #17 of 59
7/16/08 at 4:21pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

With Bill's news this afternoon, this went from a purchase to a rental at best. I have no idea how WB has gone from being the kings of optical home video to being inferior to even a mini like Lionsgate, but it has happened. I e-mailed Bill and told him it was time for the community to get organized on this issue - too many movies that would benefit greatly from a lossless track (I'm still bitter about The Aviator) are going to suffer if we don't all speak up.

Does HTF still have annual chats with WB?
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post #18 of 59
7/16/08 at 5:06pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Graham
I have no idea how WB has gone from being the kings of optical home video to being inferior to even a mini like Lionsgate, but it has happened.

It certainly has. This decision is just mind-boggling. I don't flow the insider threads that closely at blu-ray.com anymore, but I seem to recall mention being made by Max Power that Warner Bros. employed some focus group consisting of their target audience, which was 'Joe Six Pack' apparently according to him, and because they either don't have the means or the 'ear' to tell the difference DD 5.1 is what we're going to get more often than not. That is, of course, all rumor; but at least that was the gist I got, and their release specs lately seem to back up the end result if not the means used to reach the decision.
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post #19 of 59
7/16/08 at 6:17pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...-racer-bd.html

Depressing as hell.

This could have been THE DEMO DISC of the year.

Now it's a no-sale.

Warner... honestly... what's your problem? You seem to be the only studio who still doesn't "get it" with lossless sound.
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post #20 of 59
7/16/08 at 6:18pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

To tell the truth because I'm not an audiophile I am more concerned about their many crappy, artifact-riddled video encodes than the lack of lossless audio. However I thought a big point of Blu-ray was that for new and newly restored releases these would be more or less the ultimate editions and put an end to all the double-dipping, but apparently not so with Warner.

And it's just so annoying because it can't be that hard when almost every other studio does it better, and it can't be that much cheaper or less time-consuming to author and produce a disc with DD5.1 and low bitrates on BD-25; you still have to do it. This has to be part of some devious double-dipping, "deluxe edition" scheme.

Needless to say I will not buy any of their releases that do not feature a lossless track or that have obvious, consistent and completely avoidable video artifacts. If not for anything else then simply out of principle, because there is no excuse and this is not what Blu-ray is about.
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post #21 of 59
7/16/08 at 7:18pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I saw this twice in the theaters and regard it as a masterpiece.

~T
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post #22 of 59
7/16/08 at 9:05pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

You know, I can live with titles like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" not having a lossless track - its what? An original mono soundtrack from 1975?

But to not provide at least a TrueHD track for a film like Speed Racer? I used to pre-order titles from the Warner online store, but don't think I want to do that anymore - not until Warner gets their damn act together.

Looking back at my HD DVDs and Blu-rays, I see that a lot of the older HD DVD titles only offered DD+, but lossless started coming in strong with time. Its nice that Warner are trying to keep us stuck with the early specs of HD discs.
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post #23 of 59
7/17/08 at 1:13am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bleddyn Williams
You know, I can live with titles like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" not having a lossless track - its what? An original mono soundtrack from 1975?

Yes, even those new bare bones "action titles" have Dolby TrueHD (most of them, at least)..

Since HD DVD is out of the picture and companies doesn´t have to "encode" films with only "max 30gb" in mind ( ), it´s a bit strange that this type of title is using 25gb-disc... Perhaps it can still change?

Don´t get me wrong, I love Warner, but you know...
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post #24 of 59
7/23/08 at 6:34pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

so i guess no further news on the sound?
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post #25 of 59
7/23/08 at 7:07pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

From Blu-ray.com, it does have a TrueHD track.

Blu-ray.com - Speed Racer (Blu-ray)
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post #26 of 59
9/10/08 at 4:15pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I couldnt find the other topic for Speed but obvously we know there is no lossless track.
not only that but from some of the wording on the specs right on the back of the case it looks like Warner just considers this movie an after-thought.

in the grid listing for special features we see that for
video: "May be in standard definition"
audio: "Audio standards may vary"

I guess it's bd-j because it has a spinning loading logo at the beginning
and there is no resume feature ability after hitting stop or ejectiing the disc.

sound is terrific.
center channel audio could have been better.
slightly muffled vocals sometimes.

49 minutes in there is a spectacular fully immersive surround sound effect including a great sub effect.
So while the sound is very good, it isn't great, as it should have been.

Visually this might be the must stunning
and exciting movie I have ever seen.
The colors, the colors.

I want this disc to be part of my collection but the
lack of significant special features and no lossless
is the reason i won't be buying this.
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post #27 of 59
9/10/08 at 5:02pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I remember a while back Bill mentioning that WB had given him more insight into the lack of lossless that he said made it more understandeable (though IMO not excusable, as it COULD have been included).

Anybody know what that was about? An SE version in the works or something?

I won't buy without lossless.
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post #28 of 59
9/10/08 at 7:34pm

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

I'm hoping an international version with lossless becomes available. So far all I've seen is the Korean version (here) with better cover art, one more extra than the U.S. release ("Speed Racer: Ramping Up!"), and a sticker price that's $14 more than the U.S. version. At least the shipping's free, right? And it doesn't come with either the DVD game or digital copy. But the disc info on that site says DD5.1. Crossing my fingers for the Japanese version . . .
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post #29 of 59
9/11/08 at 12:34am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet
I remember a while back Bill mentioning that WB had given him more insight into the lack of lossless that he said made it more understandeable (though IMO not excusable, as it COULD have been included).

Anybody know what that was about? An SE version in the works or something?

I won't buy without lossless.

David I do understand what you are saying but this disc is just unbelievable it truly is demo quality, take a punt buy it you will be thouroghly impressed.

It completely blew me away.
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post #30 of 59
9/11/08 at 12:49am

Re: Speed Racer - Blu Ray - Sept 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan Beckman
I'm hoping an international version with lossless becomes available. So far all I've seen is the Korean version (here) with better cover art, one more extra than the U.S. release ("Speed Racer: Ramping Up!"), and a sticker price that's $14 more than the U.S. version. At least the shipping's free, right? And it doesn't come with either the DVD game or digital copy. But the disc info on that site says DD5.1. Crossing my fingers for the Japanese version . . .

the yes asia version only has one more feature and still doesnt have truehd according to the specs in that link.
not worth it.
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