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A few words about...™ Leon The Professional -- in Blu-ray

post #1 of 20
11/14/09 at 2:04pm
Thread Starter 
One of the things that I had forgotten about Luc Besson's Leon The Professional, was that among a number of incredible performances, there was that stand out by a young girl named Natalie Portman.  Just extraordinary.  What's frightening is that fifteen years has gone by.

But this short piece isn't being read for information about the story or characters.

So to the Blu-ray disc.

In now typical Columbia / Sony fashion, this is another Blu-ray that looks like film.  Everything is right.  Nothing is wrong.  And I'm more than willing to be bored by this continuous high quality.

Both versions of the film are included.  Audio is uncompressed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.

Not a single problem to be found.

Highly Recommended.

RAH
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Leon: The Professional [Blu-ray]
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post #2 of 20
11/14/09 at 5:07pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post
 Everything is right.  Nothing is wrong.  And I'm more than willing to be bored by this continuous high quality.
 

My favourite quote of yours of the year thus far.
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post #3 of 20
11/14/09 at 6:34pm
Bring it!

Glad for the confirmation on Sony's predictably boring quality trend prevailing once again w/ this one.   My Amazon preorder should probably arrive later this coming week.

Thanks, RAH.

_Man_
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post #4 of 20
11/15/09 at 3:54am
This is one that I can hardly wait to get here from Amazon. I am also glad to see that Columbia/Sony continues to provide us with a disc that there is nothing to complain about and allows us to just get down to watching the movie instead.

Parker
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post #5 of 20
11/15/09 at 5:08am
Hi Robert, great points about the performances.  I also agree that this is a fantastic-looking disc, absolutely wonderful.

The only thing I'd say is that the contrast is a little problematic.  Comparing this side-by-side with the DVD there is definitely somepicture information missing from the BD in very bright areas, where the high contrast appears to have blown out the whites.

For me it didn't spoil my viewing enjoyment - the film, and evrything about the rest of the  PQ/SQ ensured that - but I do believe it is a slight fault.

Steve W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post

One of the things that I had forgotten about Luc Besson's Leon The Professional, was that among a number of incredible performances, there was that stand out by a young girl named Natalie Portman.  Just extraordinary.  What's frightening is that fifteen years has gone by.

But this short piece isn't being read for information about the story or characters.

So to the Blu-ray disc.

In now typical Columbia / Sony fashion, this is another Blu-ray that looks like film.  Everything is right.  Nothing is wrong.  And I'm more than willing to be bored by this continuous high quality.

Both versions of the film are included.  Audio is uncompressed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.

Not a single problem to be found.

Highly Recommended.

RAH
 


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post #6 of 20
11/15/09 at 5:30am
Steve; which BD are you viewing? The Sony / Columbia disc or the UK Optimum release (which others have noted has some contrast problems)?
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post #7 of 20
11/15/09 at 5:40am


Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson View Post

Steve; which BD are you viewing? The Sony / Columbia disc or the UK Optimum release (which others have noted has some contrast problems)?
 

John, I have the UK disc, but comparisons by those who have the US one say they're identical, and note the contrast problem in the US disc, including Ronald Epstein (see post 10):

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/forum/thread/293417/sphe-press-release-leon-the-professional-blu-ray#post_3628189

I'd just like  to stress, I consider this to be a small problem, and certainly not one which should put anyone off from buying the disc (in my opinion), but I think the issue is certainly there.

Steve W
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post #8 of 20
11/15/09 at 5:41am
Thank you Steve.
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post #9 of 20
11/15/09 at 6:01am


Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson View Post

Thank you Steve.
 


Always happy to help someone with such a fine taste in avatars.

Steve W
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post #10 of 20
11/15/09 at 6:04am
Thread Starter 
Must be some oddball UK David Niven fan club.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yorkshire View Post





Always happy to help someone with such a fine taste in avatars.

Steve W


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post #11 of 20
11/15/09 at 6:07am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post

Must be some oddball UK David Niven fan club.

 



 


...or maybe a Kim Hunter fan club.

Oh for AMOLAD on BD.  Restoration and transfer hopefully conducted by someone who's initials are RAH, of course.

Steve W
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post #12 of 20
11/15/09 at 6:30am
Thread Starter 
AMoLaD has already been dealt with at Sony and looks terrific!  An SD was released this past January here in the Colonies by Sony along with Age of Consent.  I've been told the connection may be that they share the same filmmaker.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yorkshire View Post





...or maybe a Kim Hunter fan club.

Oh for AMOLAD on BD.  Restoration and transfer hopefully conducted by someone who's initials are RAH, of course.

Steve W


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post #13 of 20
11/15/09 at 6:55am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post

AMoLaD has already been dealt with at Sony and looks terrific!  An SD was released this past January here in the Colonies by Sony along with Age of Consent.  I've been told the connection may be that they share the same filmmaker.

 



 


Yes, I have the original UK DVD and the new US twofer - it's just a shame they didn't release it on BD at the same time.

Additionally, ITV in the UK were not co-sponsers of the restoration (as they were with TRS), so I can't even look forward to a UK release anytime soon, either.  Hopefully Sony will see the light, or ITV will get to use the BFI restoration.

Sorry for being OT, everyone.

Steve W
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post #14 of 20
11/15/09 at 9:49am
AMOLAD = no idea

please enlighten
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post #15 of 20
11/15/09 at 10:09am
Oscar; Powell and Pressburger's magnificent A Matter of Life and Death (not Press and Powellburgers little known, but well respected, golf movie A Matter of Drives and Links. Sadly)
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post #16 of 20
11/16/09 at 7:07am
Thread Starter 
I neglected to note that the transfer of Leon The Professional was supervised and approved by the Luc Besson, who has brought the film to Blu-ray as he wishes it to look.
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post #17 of 20
11/16/09 at 1:01pm
Ah. That settles it then. I really don't like the contrast boost, but if Monsieur Besson approved it, there's not much more that can be said. Thanks for the update RAH.
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post #18 of 20
11/16/09 at 3:01pm
 We must be members of the 10 years on DVD club, to get excited about all these catalog titles.
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post #19 of 20
11/16/09 at 3:27pm
That, or hardcore fans of Mr. Besson's work. I fit in both categories (barely on the 10 years in DVD).
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post #20 of 20
11/16/09 at 9:54pm
this is shipping soon (pre-ordered a LONG time ago).

re: UK vs. US version, i read that UK is 5.0 while US is 5.1

this is arguably the best work that lesson has done either side of the atlantic ;).
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Leon: The Professional [Blu-ray]
$26.67 at
See it »
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › Blu-ray › A Few Words About By Robert Harris › A few words about...™ Leon The Professional -- in Blu-ray