(Ridley Scott, 1982)
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
H D - S E N S E IA view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze |
|||||
Warner Home Video Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:57:36.841 Disc Size: 23,317,377,296 bytes Feature Size: 23,156,164,608 bytes Video Bitrate: 16.87 Mbps Chapters: 36 Release date: December 18th, 2007
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.4:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: VC-1 Video
Audio: Dolby TrueHD Audio English 3766 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3766 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB) Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Subtitles (FINAL CUT) English SDH, French, 3 Asian (Korean, Chinese, Japanese), Portuguese, Spanish, none English SDH, French and Spanish on disc 3 and 5.
Supplements:
Disc One
(in HIGH DEFINITION!)
Disc Five (in HIGH DEFINITION!)WORKPRINT VERSION This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more. It has a SCott intro and a full commentary.
The Film:
One of the most visually influential science fiction films ever made, Blade Runner has a history as labyrinthine as any of its futuristic film noir sets. A fascinatingly contemplative detective story about a world-weary android-killer and his renegade prey, it has attracted a sizeable cult audience and retains a unique place in cinema.
Excerpt from TV Guide located HERE
Video: NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. THE FINAL CUT is an, occasionally, impressive upgrade over DVD (directly compared HERE). While the 4K resolution is, at times, initially awesome with all the futuristic cityscapes - the transfer itself could have been improved upon as it is limited by being single-layered with a very modest bitrate. The expansively lit city atmospheres are, no doubt, very pleasing. Colors are more vivid. It still exports the bluish/green hue we noted in both the 4-disc (COMPARED HERE) version of the FINAL CUT. The 'cooler' look is not as prevalent in my opinion. As previously noted with hi-def - colors are bright and darker scenes can be pitch with subtle highlights accentuating the contrast. There is some minimal noise but the visuals are overwhelming enough that you don't notice much.
Disc 2 - 3.5 hour Documentary is in SD and is exactly the same as in both the 2-disc (COMPARED HERE) and 4-disc (REVIEWED HERE).
Disc 3 - three versions on one high-definition disc (1080 - VC-1 encode). Like on the SD they were seamlessly branched and therefore all shared the same color scheme and transfer qualities. The image quality does appear stronger than SD (takes up over 23 Gig each on the single-layered disc) and it's great to have these versions available in high resolution. They offer 5.1 and 2.0 English tracks and a French DUB as well as optional English (CC), French or Spanish subtitles.
Disc 4 - "Enhancement Archive" is in SD and is the exact same disc from the 4-disc Collector's Edition (REVIEWED HERE).
Disc 5 - is the "Workprint" IN HD (1080 - VC-1 encode) is a kind of initial test-run treatise. It has a 45 second intro by Scott and a full commentary by Paul M. Sammon (author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner"). It represents a rare version of the film considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more. It looks weak and as reported by Scott's intro is the lesser of the 4 versions available in this package, although it has had some 'restoration'. NOTE: It has only 34 chapters (instead of 36) and is about 2.25:1 aspect ratio (where the others are 2.4).
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures FINAL CUT in high-definition
Audio: Sporting Dolby TrueHD mix, the lossless surround is a big improvement over the SD 5.1. The film's track with Vangelis score and subtle background interferences are where separations sound more defined. This is the exact type of film that benefits most from an enhanced audio track. It seems flawless - solid range and depth. Dialogue on the FINAL CUT is supported by English SDH, French, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish subtitles. On the 'Archival' and 'Workprint' we have English SDH, French or Spanish options. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras: See Full list above. The FINAL CUT on disc one has three optional commentaries (for those that can't get enough!). I've finished all three (Scott's, executive producer/co-screenwriter Hampton Fancher and co-screenwriter David Peoples; producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber and finally one by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryerand). I found them enjoyable but would also have preferred an academic-type look at the film (perhaps Paul Sammon alone). The closest that it came to was the writer's input (Fancher and Peoples) on commentary 2. The third was unique in that it had multiple inputs - which is always refreshing to hear different viewpoints and anecdotal episodes. I think these 'discussions' will be good for those very keen on the film and even those with just a passing interest after they have seen the FINAL CUT .
Disc 3 (Archival versions) each have a short Scott intro (about 40 seconds).
Disc 5 ('Workprint') has another 45 second Scott intro and an enjoyable commentary by Paul M. Sammon (author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner"). He impresses with his extensive knowledge and reports some fantastically minute details. I wish he had done one on the archival(s) or the FINAL CUT. He appears relegated to this but his dialogue is excellent.
Menus (FINAL CUT)
BOTTOM LINE: I wasn't a fan of the Ultimate with the lucite case (incidentally with the 'Made in China' sticker). In the Complete Collector's Edition (exact same transfer but without the unnecessary accoutrements) - fans don't have much to think about. It is the best available for the film(s) and I doubt another transfer is coming anytime soon. This is still an experience that extensively benefits from the high-definition video transfer and lossless audio bump. I still think this could be improved upon but we still recommend...
|
|||||
|