Robert George

After two extraordinarily mediocre DVD releases of the this underrated sci-fi epic, Artisan has defied the odds and produced a new 2-disc DVD edition that not just meets expectations, but actually exceeds my most optimistic hopes.

Both of the previous DVD releases, as well as the laserdisc release have all been sourced from the same badly over-enhanced 4:3 letterboxed transfer. Despite some additional color correction by Roland Emmerich for the later "director's cut", this has always been a weak transfer. Artisan's new 16:9 enhanced widescreen transfer is very obviously sourced from what must be a great looking hi-def master because this new DVD looks little short of amazing.

Colors are perfectly balanced without the oversaturation of the previous discs and appear very accurae and natural. Black level is also excellent yet the image is considerably brighter than the older transfer affording an amazing level of shadow detail, as well as overall depth and detail. There are scenes that look so different from the older discs as to be brand new. The only minus on video quality is some visible edge enhancement in some of the brighter shots, but this is nothing like the abomination of the last DVD release.

The original 5.1 soundtrack has also been given a makeover with remix for Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES. The back surround effects do not seem much more obvious than before, but the remaster does offer some improvement in the area of detail and dialog balance. The track has also been eq'd rather loud. I had to reduce the volume of my controller to around -10dB from the usual -6dB.

The 2-disc set is configured with the extended director's cut on disc one with a 12-minute featurette and commentary track. The second disc contains the original theatrical cut with a second featurette. There are a few other supplements, but quite frankly, I was so stunned by this new transfer that I didn't even look at the supps. For anyone interested in this film, I consider the quality of this new disc more than enough justification for replacing the older discs, regardless of any supplemental material. retail is only $20 bucks, after all.

djones6746

Thanks Robert....looking forward to this release. Nice to see you here on the forum. I have read your reviews elsewhere in the past.

TomOpus

Yeah, thanks Robert. I had this release on my Get List and now I'm really looking forward to it.

greatjedi

Wow. I'm really looking forward to this release. Thanks for the review.

SCHMEGGA

Oh yeah, Thanks Robert. Just what I wanted to hear, punk! As if I needed any help getting my salivatory glands in an uproar over this one for the last 2 months!




Hehehe! Actually, thanks tons for the review. Concise and to the point with the right info. I like that. Keep up the good work.


Now get us that Alien Quad-whatever Review!

Robert George

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I am most impressed with this new disc and I expect you will be as well. It is truly what I like best about this hobby when I get to sit down and revisit a favorite film with such a high quality video transfer that it is almost like the first time. This transfer is that good.

Enjoy!

Corky

Yeah and at a preorder price of around $14.. can't go wrong. Glad this one is finally getting the attention it deserves.. Thanks for the info

milo bloom

Damn you Robert!!








I had convinced myself I could live with the previous SE, but now such high praise from a person like yourself means this one's going on the list

Thanks for the review!

marty888

Sounds like a "must upgrade" to me....

Imhotep

Yep, already got mine pre-ordered with X-men 1.5

But yeah, I was hoping the transfer would be better because the last SE had a lot of grain during the Death Glider scenes during the end battle.

I'll be glad to replace my SE with this. I think Amazon's only charging $15 for it, so it's pretty much a no-brainer.

ZakVTA

DVDSoon.com has got this DVD for pretty cheap:
17.98 Canadian Dollar = 12.068 (USD)
http://www.dvdsoon.com/showtitledetails.xml?uid=45390

greatjedi

don't forget that this is supposed to come with a 5.00 rebate too accaroding to this thread:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...targate+rebate

moocher

Thanks for the review. A couple of questions:

1. Is the commentary the same one from the SE release?

2. What is required for the rebate? (I could find no POPs on the case or insert)

djones6746

Deepdiscount has this for $11.43 shipped.


http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=LVD012570

Fok

Glad I didn't pick this movie up earlier. Thanks for the review, will definately be getting the UE.

d2cheer

Same here!

And it will make a nice CH fulfillment DVD!

lisadoris

Already got it on preorder. It's been awhile since my speakers had a good workout so I'm really psyched.

sn9ke_eyes

Thanks for the review. Mine was already on pre-order as well. Can't wait to check it out !

valkyrie

Isn't there a $5 rebate for those of us with the other version, too?

Damn...$6 for a UE, I can hack that.

Rammsteinfan

Yep, $5 rebate included... damn, I shouldnt have sold my old copy so soon... *snaps fingers*

Ejunior2

Dang - I sold my old copy already. Will the rebate require the old versions store receipt or just the POP?

shizawn

Great news on the transfer! I've held off on the previous versions, hoping there was going to be a difinitive release. Now it looks like I can finally get this movie on DVD.

TheOne

Got mine's preordered at DDD too.

Question, is the rebate form in the UE edition?