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A Few Words About A few words about...™ Election -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

Robert Harris

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Let's be honest.

Criterion, a company (and people) that I adore, occasionally does some wacky things.

All in the name of love of cinema.

That's a good thing.

The latest is their release of Alexander Payne's Election, which hit theaters in 1999.

Reese Witherspoon, who leads a wonderful cast, was 22 when it was made, and looks the part of the high school student that she plays.

Tracy Flick is not the girl of every boy's dreams.

But the film hit a hot spot for audiences, and stands the test of time magnificently.

Do we really need a Criterion edition of the film?

Probably depends upon how much you love it.

They've added some wonderful extras, and the film itself...

Scanned from the original camera negative in 4k...

Is drop-dead gorgeous.

Where the Paramount Blu-ray had a slight lack of resolution, no problems here.

Occasional dirt on the original release.

Nope. Clean as a Pick Flick button.

Color - perfect

Grain structure - ditto

A magnificent release of a terrifically entertaining film.

Is it daylight noir?

Not certain.

Do we need this Criterion release?

Absolutely.


Image - 5

Audio - 5

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from the original Blu-ray - Yes

Recommended

RAH



 
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titch

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Kevin Oppegaard
I totally agree - we need this absolutely and I'll happily double-dip for this one! Alexander Payne's forthcoming movie, Downsizing, seems to have split the critics a bit this time round. I haven't seen that one yet, but all his previous films have a reserved spot in my library: Citizen Ruth (no blu-ray for that one), Election, About Smith, Sideways, The Descendants and Nebraska. Sideways is one of my favourite films of all time! Excellent that Criterion now has added this brilliant American film director to their catalogue. (Also, I am hopeful that this will bode well for future stellar transfers from Paramount).
 

Powell&Pressburger

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Not thrilled with the color timing of specific moments where the tinting of the whites and other colors.

I was hoping to get find out why Criterion felt it was best to alter it. Even if it was Payne’s choice it looks like revisionism to myself.

I agree Criterion has more detail and yeah the Paramount has more red skin tones... but my gut it telling mye is that’s neither transfer is perfect. Sadly.

These are some examples from DVDBeaver screen grabs.

The bedroom wall is no longer Lavender.
1A8FA642-B987-4B48-B4CB-ABF754A62BF5.jpeg


The background of the outside of the house window frames.

64949007-CDAE-4A52-86AC-79A389950941.jpeg


This example the brick walls and shirt or no longer white.
4BA4103F-2668-48C8-B0C3-E20268D6DA67.jpeg


I was really looking forward to the Criterion BLU but more detail doesn’t make me want to buy it. I’ll be holding onto my Paramount BLU.

anyone else have any opinions?
 

Stephen_J_H

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It's been said repeatedly around here that the Beaver's caps are not accurate. I'd rather have disc in hand and make the judgement than rely on screencaps.
 

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