ali_b

I've just watched the Akira BD, and thought I'd share my opinion on it. Much of the first half of the film is visually less stunning than you would expect on blu-ray, and there are several scenes throughout the film which appear noticeably soft and/or more grainy than others*. In the latter half of the film - especially as Tetsuo approaches the olympic stadium - the detail really ramps up as the backgrounds become more intricate. Perhaps the biggest wow factor of this blu-ray though is the sound. I've watched Akira on multiple formats over the years, from broadcast TV and VHS to DVD, and the depth of sound here is incredible - there are many pieces of music etc where you can hear elements that I simply did not realise existed before. The booklet includes a diagram purporting that because the sound is sampled at 192khz it increases brain activity as opposed to the more standard 48khz. Sounds like BS to me, but that shouldn't take away from the vast improvements this blu-ray has made.


* NB - I'm not saying grain is a bad thing, just that it is surprising that it isn't consistent considering that the whole thing is transferred from cell animation presumably in the same conditions.

LickTheABCs

Blu-ray.com has their review up.

DthRdrX

Man, I can't wait to hear this disc. Everyone is saying it is mind-blowing.

RobLutter

From what I've heard the film looks as good or BETTER than its' theatrical run... and any flaws are from the transfer of the original cels when they were photographed to 35mm.

I'm glad it looks grainy... it shouldn't look like a bright and flawless Pixar movie... it wouldn't fit the film.

Supermallet

I was set to own this. Already had my pre-order ready on Amazon. I didn't check in on this thread, and only found out now from the DVD Talk review that this release has very, very few extras. I'm calling bullshit. I paid less than $50 for the Pioneer 2-disc edition, which was loaded. I don't see why they would be charging $50 for a single disc edition on Blu-ray. Amazon's price was $31 and change. To me, that's not worth it for a disc that is close to bare bones. I'm going to stick with the DVD until the price drops to a reasonable area, or a new release comes out that contains all the special features.

steelpotato

Akira is worth $50 that's why!

Supermallet

No, it's not. I'm pretty sick of the way anime is priced in America. I would have gotten into far more of it over the years had these companies priced their products in a competitive fashion. And I know anime is a specialty item, but there are plenty of small companies that release decently priced discs with plenty of features, good transfers, etc. I have yet to buy any anime on Blu-ray, because any of the discs I'd actually want are priced so high that I don't even consider them. At this point, the only anime titles I'd consider spending any money on when they come to Blu-ray would be Ghost In The Shell (the original, not the series or the sequel) and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Akira is great, but not my most watched movie, and absolutely not worth $50 by itself.

Sweet Baby James

^

You need to stop by WTK's bargain thread more often. There are some absolute steals on anime nowadays. BTW, I've been able to pick up the Blu-ray versions of Tekkonkinkreet, Afro Samurai, Paprika, Appleseed and Vexille, all for under $20 each. I also have the upcoming Samurai 7-Complete Series on order for just $49.95.


http://forum.dvdtalk.com/dvd-bargain...uary-09-a.html

Giles

and with so few extras, the MSRP is out right ridiculous... but hey I can't complain I'm paying half that price.

Doctorossi

Uh-oh, here it comes...

Could we apply this same argument to video? Does higher-frequency sampling increase brain activity in imaging?

DOES FILM GRAIN EXCITE THE SYNAPSES?!

The Valeyard

My synapses get excited around 138khz.

RobLutter

Head over to Amazon.co.jp and see what prices for anime in Japan are like...

Paying over $50 for a 1-episode OVA anime is totally normal. Heck, the 3-disc Tenchi movie boxset coming out next month on Blu is $275... for 3 (rather short length) movies.

Giles

yet Japan isn't in a recession.

tonymontana313

Per the Best Buy ad for next week, this will be 29.99 which means we will see Amazon matching it.

DthRdrX

Man good call! Amazon just matched it at $29.99. Fast stuff.

truelies

I will not buy it. $29.99 is too much.

tylergfoster

For $30, I'll bite. I'm retroactively pricematching something and will be getting around $12 back, which drops my price to $20, and I want that first-run packaging.

naitram

Someone at AVS posted that the first-run packaging is sold out to ditributors. I just pre-ordered mine this week at Amazon but they're saying it won't ship until March, so I just cancelled.

Anyone else taking their chances getting this at a B&M? Looks like I'll be at Best Buy on Tuesday.

DthRdrX

My Amazon order says March 2nd ship date. They are usually conservative with the ship dates. It will probably ship out on the 25th or 26th.

I'd imagine Amazon will have plenty of stock for a few weeks at least.

naitram

Hmm maybe I shouldn't have cancelled then. Oh well, if I can't grab one at BB then I'll take my chances at Amazon again.

DthRdrX

I just looked it up. They second printing will street on March 10th. So if your ship date is scheduled before that you should be ok to go.

tonymontana313

Yeah, I'm not taking a chance with Amazon. I'm just going to head out to Best Buy to pick it up instead. Have 10 bucks in RZ certs so it makes it easier.

DthRdrX

I wouldn't even bother with the Best Buy in my area. Unless it's a major studio release they will put it out on the shelf two weeks early or two weeks later, not to mention they usually only get one or two copies in.

For example, they've had one copy of Samurai 7 on the shelf for almost two weeks now!

tonymontana313

I just did an instore pickup for my local store and it allowed me to add it in cart so hopefully there's no issues.

BTW, the AKIRA bd is currently #54 on the Amazon Movies bestsellers list. I guess there is a some demand for this title.

DthRdrX

My copy just shipped via Amazon! Should be here Thursday or Friday!