NOTE: this Ultimate Edition has the same transfer (and digital supplements) on both discs as the Anniversary Edition sold HERE.

I don't mean to 'rain on the parade' but I think I may have had higher expectations for the image quality of the new release than it is representing. It is significantly cleaner than the old edition and sharper (for the most part) - although this was a 'given' with the high degree of anticipation of this release. Contrast is improved but I am ambivalent to make any bold statements on the colors. It could be the lighting but the uniforms of Commander Adams crew shift from blue to silver and even brown in some scenes.

Black levels appear to have been brought up a shade - which is very acceptable and I am unsure of any other manipulation, but it seems apparent that the old release had some brightness boosting. As other reviewers are probably gushing about this new transfer, perhaps my comments might be construed as unwarranted complaining. While I am at it though - another gripe is the audio - a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounds good but there is no option for the old stereo sound - something purists may find amiss. Framing shows a bit more information on the edges of the new releases. 

Other than that - everything else is all good with the new edition - I went for the Ultimate as opposed to the Anniversary only because it was the only one available at the time. My sons like the Robby the Robot toy figure and the gaudy tin box is a cute keepsake. Some of the extras are filler, although interesting to some... but I enjoyed the additions of the 'Robby' features - The Invisible Boy is a hoot! A commentary might have been warranted as the film has much more to offer than simply what is on the surface, but so be it.

Overall, if you are at all into this genre of 50's sci-fi classics this ranks up with some of the best (This Island Earth , The Day the Earth Stood Still and Invasion of the Body Snatchers). Kind of a must-own in my mind, but my advice is go for the Anniversary Edition unless you are a true zealot about the film. 

Gary W. Tooze