![Moonraker [Blu-ray]](http://cdn.hometheaterforum.com/7/76/50x50px-ZC-7600f784_B001PO686K-51ZoQKG5oxL.jpg)
Moonraker is mid-Moore era Bond -- a 1979 production, and generally looks fine on Blu-ray. There are some minor problems which should be noted for reference, and then... probably forgotten.
Any film on Blu-ray is only as good as the elements used for the transfer or image harvest, and Moonraker, like many of the earlier Bond films, seems to have its share of dupe sections and (of necessity) effects shots. Blu-ray tends to make these stand out more than they ordinarily would.
I also wouldn't be doing justice to discussions already on the web if I didn't at least also make note of the slightly squeezed and window-boxed main title sequence. Titles seem to be within a reasonably safe area. Other than the change in screen size, I wasn't terribly troubled by the adaptation, but didn't feel it necessary. Someone obviously did, so I surmise that there's a reason. One doesn't simply go off and adapt a film's main title sequence without one.
Three decade old dupes show up immediately with the shot of the 747 and shuttle, with occasional scratches showing through. Entering M's quarters was also a bit odd, as flesh tones seemed overly pale, and the make up on top of Mr. Lee's (M) head reminded me of several scenes with Jack Hawkins in Lawrence.
Once through the opening sequence things come together nicely -- possibly via a return to original negative, and the film continues on a positive track with solid colors, good blacks and nice resolution.
If much of a Blu-ray looks good, my theory is to give those who created it their due, and make the assumption that there were occasional element problems, and that the best has been made of them. That's all one can do.
The bottom line is that Moonraker is a quality Blu-ray, representative of the elements from which it was harvested. It's nice to have Bond number eleven in the Blu-ray library.
I'm hopeful that MGM will release Bond number five, You Only Live Twice, another directed by Mr. Gilbert, with cinematography by the incomparable Freddie Young in the next batch. I was permitted to view a sample of YOLT a couple of years ago, and the quality in high definition is astonishing. It will make a killer Blu-ray.
Recommended.
RAH
Any film on Blu-ray is only as good as the elements used for the transfer or image harvest, and Moonraker, like many of the earlier Bond films, seems to have its share of dupe sections and (of necessity) effects shots. Blu-ray tends to make these stand out more than they ordinarily would.
I also wouldn't be doing justice to discussions already on the web if I didn't at least also make note of the slightly squeezed and window-boxed main title sequence. Titles seem to be within a reasonably safe area. Other than the change in screen size, I wasn't terribly troubled by the adaptation, but didn't feel it necessary. Someone obviously did, so I surmise that there's a reason. One doesn't simply go off and adapt a film's main title sequence without one.
Three decade old dupes show up immediately with the shot of the 747 and shuttle, with occasional scratches showing through. Entering M's quarters was also a bit odd, as flesh tones seemed overly pale, and the make up on top of Mr. Lee's (M) head reminded me of several scenes with Jack Hawkins in Lawrence.
Once through the opening sequence things come together nicely -- possibly via a return to original negative, and the film continues on a positive track with solid colors, good blacks and nice resolution.
If much of a Blu-ray looks good, my theory is to give those who created it their due, and make the assumption that there were occasional element problems, and that the best has been made of them. That's all one can do.
The bottom line is that Moonraker is a quality Blu-ray, representative of the elements from which it was harvested. It's nice to have Bond number eleven in the Blu-ray library.
I'm hopeful that MGM will release Bond number five, You Only Live Twice, another directed by Mr. Gilbert, with cinematography by the incomparable Freddie Young in the next batch. I was permitted to view a sample of YOLT a couple of years ago, and the quality in high definition is astonishing. It will make a killer Blu-ray.
Recommended.
RAH
