- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 17,457
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
No discussion necessary regarding the film.
This is all about a comparison of the two most currently available Blu-rays, licensed from Universal.
The Shout Factory version was released about a year ago, derived from a 35mm IP, and looks fine.
The Arrow UK release, which is R2, is an interesting case, as one might believe that the difference between the two, at least based upon the scanned film elements, might be minor.
It isn't.
While the Shout Factory nicely represents the film, based upon a quality IP, the new Arrow version is head and shoulders above, in terms of overall resolution, color, and one would presume, compression and authoring.
Early in the film, when the helicopter arrives back at base, there's a LS of the buildings, with various radio antennas across the shot.
In the Shout version, one can tell that they're there, while in the Arrow version, they are far more obvious and detailed. Almost the difference that one might expect comparing 2k and 4k discs, but not quite.
Color also shines, along with slightly sharper grain structure. Bluer skies, whiter snow. Just cleaner overall, along with a better image cleanup.
For fans of the film, is this worth an import?
Absolutely. The difference is well worth the cost of the upgrade.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade - Yes
Highly Recommended
RAH
This is all about a comparison of the two most currently available Blu-rays, licensed from Universal.
The Shout Factory version was released about a year ago, derived from a 35mm IP, and looks fine.
The Arrow UK release, which is R2, is an interesting case, as one might believe that the difference between the two, at least based upon the scanned film elements, might be minor.
It isn't.
While the Shout Factory nicely represents the film, based upon a quality IP, the new Arrow version is head and shoulders above, in terms of overall resolution, color, and one would presume, compression and authoring.
Early in the film, when the helicopter arrives back at base, there's a LS of the buildings, with various radio antennas across the shot.
In the Shout version, one can tell that they're there, while in the Arrow version, they are far more obvious and detailed. Almost the difference that one might expect comparing 2k and 4k discs, but not quite.
Color also shines, along with slightly sharper grain structure. Bluer skies, whiter snow. Just cleaner overall, along with a better image cleanup.
For fans of the film, is this worth an import?
Absolutely. The difference is well worth the cost of the upgrade.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade - Yes
Highly Recommended
RAH
