- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,423
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Few people need an introduction to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. I'll not offer one.
For the 50th Anniversary Special Edition -- films should only be viewed every five years on specific anniversaries -- Universal has spruced up the old girl, which was shot on a TV budget in black & white.
There have been discussions ongoing on line regarding both the audio, which has been converted to stereo, as well as the overall look of the digitized image.
Here's my take.
Generally, I'm okay with the image, especially from a proper distance. It does have a digital edge to it, with reduced grain in certain shots, and inoffensive black lines creating an edginess around areas of differing contrast. There is the possibility that the contrast anomalies, at least the edginess is a part of the fine grain lab work.
None of this is to a degree where it becomes troublesome.
Created from a fine grain master, the film has minimal, but reasonably constant minus and plus density analogue artifacts, as well as occasional scratches. But again, there's nothing untoward here.
The new audio mix is an interesting experiment. Based upon a French process, and performed by some of the studio's top audio engineers, it gives the film a presence that opens it up, and changes its overall sonic character.
I like it. For those who don't the original mix is available at the press of a button.
The bottom line is that most everyone should be pleased with the final result. While I might have preferred a slightly more pure and film-like look, there's nothing offensive going on here.
All of that said, I continue to wonder why the studio would allow foreign territories to release the new Blu-ray, especially in an unlocked edition (Steelbook) before the domestic. I've got to believe that it will eat into domestic sales.
Recommended.
RAH
For the 50th Anniversary Special Edition -- films should only be viewed every five years on specific anniversaries -- Universal has spruced up the old girl, which was shot on a TV budget in black & white.
There have been discussions ongoing on line regarding both the audio, which has been converted to stereo, as well as the overall look of the digitized image.
Here's my take.
Generally, I'm okay with the image, especially from a proper distance. It does have a digital edge to it, with reduced grain in certain shots, and inoffensive black lines creating an edginess around areas of differing contrast. There is the possibility that the contrast anomalies, at least the edginess is a part of the fine grain lab work.
None of this is to a degree where it becomes troublesome.
Created from a fine grain master, the film has minimal, but reasonably constant minus and plus density analogue artifacts, as well as occasional scratches. But again, there's nothing untoward here.
The new audio mix is an interesting experiment. Based upon a French process, and performed by some of the studio's top audio engineers, it gives the film a presence that opens it up, and changes its overall sonic character.
I like it. For those who don't the original mix is available at the press of a button.
The bottom line is that most everyone should be pleased with the final result. While I might have preferred a slightly more pure and film-like look, there's nothing offensive going on here.
All of that said, I continue to wonder why the studio would allow foreign territories to release the new Blu-ray, especially in an unlocked edition (Steelbook) before the domestic. I've got to believe that it will eat into domestic sales.
Recommended.
RAH