Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about…™ Chicago (redux) – in Blu-ray (or is it 4k?) (2 Viewers)

[Robert Harris]

This is an odd one, as I have no idea who the intended audience for this new release of Chicago might be.

There’s a very nice, high quality Blu-ray that’s been out for years. It comes with an accompanying DVD, which is part of what I don’t understand.

In the past few months, some entities have been releasing what are being called “4k UHD” discs. They have four times the resolution compared to a Blu-ray, and work beautifully with new scans for those productions shot on 35mm film.

So…

A couple of questions.

Why would the new release be Blu-ray, and not 4k, albeit in steelbook packaging. Is 4k not perfected?

If one is going to release on Blu-ray - and use Precisely the same data, down to throughput - why not release along with the old DVD (I know. No one wants a DVD today) so that those people who might be purchasing for the first time receive all of the extras that were on two discs for the old release.

The only negatives that I’m seeing are that certain shots are quite grainy, and during the final sequence, Ms. Zellwegger’s teeth are coated in red lipstick. This would be a bit more obvious in 4k.

Pricing on Amazon is as follows:

Blu-ray + Digital = $14.99
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital = $29.99
Blu-ray only / Steelbook = $16.79

Color me confused. Why bother? Did this film win any awards?

Image – 5

Audio – 5 (Dolby True-HD 7.1)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Works up-rezzed to 4k - Yes

Upgrade from older Blu-ray - No

Highly Recommended

RAH



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[DarkVader]

Such a missed opportunity not to release this as a 4K UHD disc. How many blu ray releases has this film had that it needed another one?

 

[SD_Brian]

Such a missed opportunity not to release this as a 4K UHD disc. How many blu ray releases has this film had that it needed another one?

Probably just means they'll announce a 4K release in 2-3 months, after they get a few of the rubes to buy this re-release.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Yeah, why no 4K? Interestingly, there was apparently talk of Dolby Vision mastering (somehow) even for the Lionsgate reissue back in 2014. Maybe Paramount needs to do lots more grain management on this one before the powers-that-be are happy enough w/ a 4K release...?

I'd gladly upgrade from my original, Disney released BD, if they put out a good 4K, but it's Paramount w/ the rights now, so who knows?

_Man_

 

[Robert Harris]

Yeah, why no 4K? Interestingly, there was apparently talk of Dolby Vision mastering (somehow) even for the Lionsgate reissue back in 2014. Maybe Paramount needs to do lots more grain management on this one before the powers-that-be are happy enough w/ a 4K release...?

I'd gladly upgrade from my original, Disney released BD, if they put out a good 4K, but it's Paramount w/ the rights now, so who knows?

_Man_

I’m most concerned about lipstick abatement.

 

[B-ROLL]

Probably just means they'll announce a 4K release in 2-3 months, after they get a few of the rubes to buy this re-release.

...And when they do they'll just say They had it coming"

!

 

[Robert Harris]

I might have been clearer about one point.

Comparing the old vs new Blu-rays for data throughput, when placing the new disc in the player, it was immediately recognized as the same disc, and came up in “Resume” mode.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I might have been clearer about one point.

Comparing the old vs new Blu-rays for data throughput, when placing the new disc in the player, it was immediately recognized as the same disc, and came up in “Resume” mode.

The fact it still has Lionsgate branding and it's from Paramount might've been your first clue it was the same disc!

 

[Robert Harris]

The fact it still has Lionsgate branding and it's from Paramount might've been your first clue it was the same disc!

Never saw LG branding. The image on screen immediately went to “resume?”

 

[Powell&Pressburger]

Whats even more odd is that there was already a blu-ray release in Japan that contained a Dolby Atmos track.

Another blu-ray release for Chicago was pointless. Love to have 4Ks for it along with another Miramax film that I believe is under Paramount - The Hours - which hasn’t been given a proper (yeah I know about the old dated HD master out there in the world) blu-ray release. However since it was co-produced by Paramount I cringe at what quality you’d get for The Hours. Both were released roughly at the same time.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Never saw LG branding. The image on screen immediately went to “resume?”

Okay - the Lionsgate logos at the start were my first clue!

Actually, the fact it was a steelbook from Paramount was my first clue. It was intensely unlikely this set would be anything more than a reissue in a shiny new case.

 

[Robert Harris]

Okay - the Lionsgate logos at the start were my first clue!

Actually, the fact it was a steelbook from Paramount was my first clue. It was intensely unlikely this set would be anything more than a reissue in a shiny new case.

But those shiny cases cost $4. What's the point then?

 

[Colin Jacobson]

But those shiny cases cost $4. What's the point then?

People luv them some steelbooks!

 

[Robert Harris]

People luv them some steelbooks!

Possibly a means of getting rid of all those plasticized copies of Patton, Gangs of New York et al. Put them in real purty steelbooks.

 

[Dave H]

Missed opportunity indeed.

According to IMDB,

Negative Format

• 35 mm(Kodak Vision 200T 5274, Vision 500T 5279)

 

[Jake Lipson]

I will say that I think the steelbook design actually looks really nice for this title. If I didn't already have the film on Blu-ray, I would probably buy this edition.

But I do already have it, so I don't need another copy.

 

[JFKarr]

I already own two issues of the Blu-Ray. Each one added to the Special Features. I'm plain nuts about the movie, and want to know all the nuts-and-bolts about it. Which is why I'm buying the Steelbook. Same old Blu-ray, but lots of new Special Features. Here are the Features of the Steelbook. Compare them to the Features of your previous edition(s). I know most of the member of HTF are more into tech than, than background material. For anybody else to whom it matters, the Steelbook seems to be offering more than just another Blu-ray re-issue.

• Feature Commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon
• Chicago in the Spotlight – A Retrospective with Cast and Crew
  • Bringing Chicago to Life: Adapting the Broadway Musical to Film
  • Developing the Screenplay: Collaborating with Bill Condon
  • Casting the Movie: Finding Actors Who Can Sing and Dance
  • The Extended Cast: The Great Dancers of Chicago
  • Rehearsals: The Best of Times
  • Rob Marshall: Born to Direct
  • Marty Richards: In Remembrance
  • Neil Meron and Craig Zadan: Renowned Musical Producers
  • The Magicians Behind the Camera: Colleen Atwood - Dion Beebe - John Myhre
  • The Best of Broadway: The Choreographers
  • The Director's Cut: Musical History is Made
  • The 75th Academy Awards: And the Oscar goes to…
  • The 85th Academy Awards: A Walk Down Memory Lane
  • The Relevance and Impact: The Aftermath of the Modern Day Musical
• Extended Musical Performances
  • “And All That Jazz”
  • “When You’re Good to Mama”
  • “Cell Block Tango”
  • “We Both Reached For The Gun”
  • “Mister Cellophane”
  • “All I Care About”
  • “All I Care About” with Richard Gere
  • “Nowadays” with Renée Zellweger
  • “And All That Jazz” with Catherine Zeta-Jones
  • “I Can’t Do It Alone” rehearsal
  • “Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag” rehearsal
  • “We Both Reached For The Gun” rehearsal
  • “Cell Block Tango” rehearsals

 

[Robert Harris]

I already own two issues of the Blu-Ray. Each one added to the Special Features. I'm plain nuts about the movie, and want to know all the nuts-and-bolts about it. Which is why I'm buying the Steelbook. Same old Blu-ray, but lots of new Special Features. Here are the Features of the Steelbook. Compare them to the Features of your previous edition(s). I know most of the member of HTF are more into tech than, than background material. For anybody else to whom it matters, the Steelbook seems to be offering more than just another Blu-ray re-issue.

• Feature Commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon
• Chicago in the Spotlight – A Retrospective with Cast and Crew
  • Bringing Chicago to Life: Adapting the Broadway Musical to Film
  • Developing the Screenplay: Collaborating with Bill Condon
  • Casting the Movie: Finding Actors Who Can Sing and Dance
  • The Extended Cast: The Great Dancers of Chicago
  • Rehearsals: The Best of Times
  • Rob Marshall: Born to Direct
  • Marty Richards: In Remembrance
  • Neil Meron and Craig Zadan: Renowned Musical Producers
  • The Magicians Behind the Camera: Colleen Atwood - Dion Beebe - John Myhre
  • The Best of Broadway: The Choreographers
  • The Director's Cut: Musical History is Made
  • The 75th Academy Awards: And the Oscar goes to…
  • The 85th Academy Awards: A Walk Down Memory Lane
  • The Relevance and Impact: The Aftermath of the Modern Day Musical
• Extended Musical Performances
  • “And All That Jazz”
  • “When You’re Good to Mama”
  • “Cell Block Tango”
  • “We Both Reached For The Gun”
  • “Mister Cellophane”
  • “All I Care About”
  • “All I Care About” with Richard Gere
  • “Nowadays” with Renée Zellweger
  • “And All That Jazz” with Catherine Zeta-Jones
  • “I Can’t Do It Alone” rehearsal
  • “Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag” rehearsal
  • “We Both Reached For The Gun” rehearsal
  • “Cell Block Tango” rehearsals

On which disc are these found? There is no mention (that I noticed) on packaging.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I already own two issues of the Blu-Ray. Each one added to the Special Features. I'm plain nuts about the movie, and want to know all the nuts-and-bolts about it. Which is why I'm buying the Steelbook. Same old Blu-ray, but lots of new Special Features. Here are the Features of the Steelbook. Compare them to the Features of your previous edition(s). I know most of the member of HTF are more into tech than, than background material. For anybody else to whom it matters, the Steelbook seems to be offering more than just another Blu-ray re-issue.

• Feature Commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon
• Chicago in the Spotlight – A Retrospective with Cast and Crew
  • Bringing Chicago to Life: Adapting the Broadway Musical to Film
  • Developing the Screenplay: Collaborating with Bill Condon
  • Casting the Movie: Finding Actors Who Can Sing and Dance
  • The Extended Cast: The Great Dancers of Chicago
  • Rehearsals: The Best of Times
  • Rob Marshall: Born to Direct
  • Marty Richards: In Remembrance
  • Neil Meron and Craig Zadan: Renowned Musical Producers
  • The Magicians Behind the Camera: Colleen Atwood - Dion Beebe - John Myhre
  • The Best of Broadway: The Choreographers
  • The Director's Cut: Musical History is Made
  • The 75th Academy Awards: And the Oscar goes to…
  • The 85th Academy Awards: A Walk Down Memory Lane
  • The Relevance and Impact: The Aftermath of the Modern Day Musical
• Extended Musical Performances
  • “And All That Jazz”
  • “When You’re Good to Mama”
  • “Cell Block Tango”
  • “We Both Reached For The Gun”
  • “Mister Cellophane”
  • “All I Care About”
  • “All I Care About” with Richard Gere
  • “Nowadays” with Renée Zellweger
  • “And All That Jazz” with Catherine Zeta-Jones
  • “I Can’t Do It Alone” rehearsal
  • “Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag” rehearsal
  • “We Both Reached For The Gun” rehearsal
  • “Cell Block Tango” rehearsals

Not sure what you mean by "new special features".

It's literally the same Blu-ray issued as the "Diamond Edition" in 2014 minus that set's DVD with features not on the BD.

As RAH and I have confirmed, it's the same disc, Lionsgate logos and all.

 

[Robert Harris]

Not sure what you mean by "new special features".

It's literally the same Blu-ray issued as the "Diamond Edition" in 2014 minus that set's DVD with features not on the BD.

As RAH and I have confirmed, it's the same disc, Lionsgate logos and all.

I’m wondering how I missed all of that. Must be there somewhere.