What's new

A Few Words About A few words about... Lethal Weapon -- in High Definition (1 Viewer)

Robert Harris

Archivist
Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Feb 8, 1999
Messages
18,310
Real Name
Robert Harris
Shane Black's script for Lethal Weapon was at the top of the industry news in 1987.

The news almost two decades later is that Warner's new High Definition release of Lethal Weapon is yet another perfect transfer and release in the new format. If there is a 1080i problem here, I'm not seeing it.

The image, which is screen-filling at 1.78:1 has the stability, color definition and overall resolution of a film print when viewed from a nominal distance. I take that back. It has better image stability than a film print.
Grain structure is perfect, as can be measured by the high contrast main title sequence running over high speed negative footage shot over L.A. at night. The difference between the foreground lettering and background film element tell the entire story. Everything is at it should be.

What a pleasure to be able to view this crowd pleaser in full HD resolution.

I couldn't be happier with this release, which comes Very Highly Recommended.

RAH
 

Steve Tannehill

R.I.P - 4.28.2015
Senior HTF Member
Deceased Member
Joined
Jul 6, 1997
Messages
5,547
Location
DFW
Real Name
Steve Tannehill
Hopefully my preorder will be early enough at Amazon to get it soon. I'm still waiting on Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang.

- Steve
 

Dave H

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2000
Messages
6,152
Is this another a 1080i master 'faked' to 1080p? Just asking since it's a catalog title.
 

Robert Crawford

Crawdaddy
Moderator
Patron
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 9, 1998
Messages
67,598
Location
Michigan
Real Name
Robert
I thought Warner pulled those from future releases like this week's release of Lethal Weapon?




Crawdaddy
 

Mark Zimmer

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Messages
4,318
My opinion (full review at http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/sho...w.php3?ID=8746 ) is that this is one of the worst HD-DVDs released yet from a video standpoint. The grain is very sparkly and poorly compressed in the night sequences, and there's almost zero shadow detail. Things are very murky indeed, and such material is usually HD-DVD's long suit. Day sequences and brightly lit ones look very nice, and for once Murtaugh's suit isn't a mess of shimmer and moire. It's a step above the 1997 DVD but not a very big one.

I don't have any firm information as to whether it's a 1997 HD transfer, but considering the way it looks I wouldn't be in the least surprised.
 

Robert Crawford

Crawdaddy
Moderator
Patron
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 9, 1998
Messages
67,598
Location
Michigan
Real Name
Robert
It sounds like there is a definite difference in opinion especially if you're saying this release is not much better than the 1997 dvd release. I might have to get this disc, even though I prefer the DC of the film.:)





Crawdaddy
 

Dave H

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2000
Messages
6,152

Robert, as far as I understand, there has been no statement from Warner (or any studio) about not using these kind of masters. I do know, however, the issue has been brought to their attention.
 

Robert Crawford

Crawdaddy
Moderator
Patron
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 9, 1998
Messages
67,598
Location
Michigan
Real Name
Robert
Well, you usually wouldn't get such a statement anyway, these type of issues are handled internally by the studios most of the time. You would probably be surprised how similar PQ stuff was resolved without any of us knowing about them.




Crawdaddy
 

Joseph Bolus

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
2,779
Here's another viewpoint on this transfer from Peter M. Bracke at the "High-Def Digest" site:

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/lethalweapon.html

He seems to think it's "not a home run", but *is* a "good-looking presentation of a film almost two decades old." In particular, he stated that
"Blacks are rock solid, and contrast quite good. The image does pop quite often, especially some of the night scenes, which can look nearly three-dimensional. Sharpness is also not too shabby, though a bit soft most of the time. I was almost impressed with the lack of any pixelization -- for a transfer minted from a print that's somewhat inconsistent, I noticed no blocking or other motion artifacts, even on the grainiest scenes or those with a lot of fast action. "
 

BrandonJF

Second Unit
Joined
Sep 8, 2000
Messages
436

I finally gave up on Amazon and last week's WB titles. If they have Lethal Weapon at BB tomorrow, I'm just gonna pick it up there. If you pre-order Lethal Weapon today, the estimated ship date doesn't even stick the street date as it usually does with pre-orders. It puts it out in July (like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Syriana). Since they still have yet to ship last week's titles, I'd be surprised if this week's makes it out anytime soon.. But, I'm just theorizing. They weren't doing too bad up 'til last week.
 

Robert Crawford

Crawdaddy
Moderator
Patron
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 9, 1998
Messages
67,598
Location
Michigan
Real Name
Robert
I can wait if the difference in price is too much. I can buy Lethal Weapon from amazon for 17.99 with free 2 day shipping, what's the price BB is charging?




Crawdaddy
 

BrandonJF

Second Unit
Joined
Sep 8, 2000
Messages
436

It will end up being $24.99 plus tax at BB.

Buy.com seems to be doing better (based on last week) than Amazon. I have heard reports of last week's titles shipping from there. Prices are comparable and they have a $5 off $50 promo that automatically gets applied to the cart... at least, it did when I checked it out this morning. Free shipping would probably result in about the same wait, though.
 

Robert Crawford

Crawdaddy
Moderator
Patron
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 9, 1998
Messages
67,598
Location
Michigan
Real Name
Robert
Amazon still offers the best deal so far for me. I might not have Lethal Weapon this week, but I can buy it from Amazon for $8.50 cheaper than BB.

As for Buy.com I haven't try them since the early days of dvd.
 

Robert Harris

Archivist
Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Feb 8, 1999
Messages
18,310
Real Name
Robert Harris
My views on Lethal Weapon in HD, are not based upon the film looking like an HD demo disc, but rather, looking very much as the film did in 35mm.

RAH
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,808
Messages
5,123,519
Members
144,184
Latest member
H-508
Recent bookmarks
0
Top