Which Superbits are worth it and which ones aren't?
 

I checked for a thread, but there's like 500 hits on Superbit. Which ones are worth it, which ones can you not tell the difference or are the special features on the other release too important? I think Spider-Man 2 is worth it while Spider-Man 1 isn't, and Starship Troopers is worth it.

I searched in the reviews section before I headed out. They often did a review for the original version and the Superbit.

I just picked up Lawrence of Arabia SB from Best Buy for $9.99. I shouldn't have to say whether that was worth it or not.

For me it depends on the quality of the extras, audio/video of the original versions compared to the SB version. For example I'm not getting SB versions of SWAT, CTHD and Cliffhanger - I'm happy enough with the reg versions. If the originals have little or no extras (air force one, gattaca, ananconda, dracula) the SB choice is easy. I'm double-dipping on Spider-man and Starship Troopers since the quality of the video is much improved (according to reviews) over the regular versions - I wish they'd made those SB Deluxes, since I'm hanging on to originals for the extras.

To me Spider-man 2 SB is not worth it since their (appearantly) isn't too much difference in A/V and you'd be missing out on the 2 hr doc.

I read up on a few as well. At $10 at BB though, you can't go wrong.

A few things I've read:

Mask of Zorro: Marginal improvement over the deluxe, it will take some high quality equipment and a trained eye to notice the difference.

Leon: supposedly had sound issues

Bad Boys and Desperado look phenominal compared to their counterparts.

and the one that leaves me with a big question mark is Heavy Metal. I haven't read any reviews, but how good could this animated film possibly look?

Spider-man 1 isn't? All reviews I've read have stated that the SB is a big improvement in video quality over the regular release. The 2-disc release's transfer looks a little bland. Plus, it has the Tobey Maguire commentary on it and of course, DTS sound.

It may depend on your equipment, but I see a pretty noticable difference in the Spider-man 2 superbit. It is much sharper and more detailed.

Off the top of my head, the only Superbits that I would not recommend are Underworld, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and Bad Boys II. I love these movies, but the regular DVD releases have excellent transfers and nice extras, so you will not gain much by purchasing the Superbits.

In regards to the rest of the Superbit lineup, you need to determine which is more important - better picture quality and possible DTS or bonus features (commentaries, deleted scenes, etc.). In some cases you may need to buy both the Superbit and the regular DVD (for example, Desperado - you will miss a great commentary and nice extras if you only buy the Superbit).

Mask of Zorro - wasn't the original non-anamorphic? As for Heavy Metal - I have both and I honestly couldn't see a difference after watching the Captain Sternn segment on both. The video was not cleaned up at all on the SB, but the SB does have DTS. I'm still keeping the originally 'cause of the extras. FYI, I have a 52-inch JVC D-ILA that I watched them on.

I bought Heavy Metal because it was $10 at Best Buy, but it's definately not worth it if you're paying full price. It needs a complete remastering, as there are quite a few specks and scratches on the print and it's all kinda grainy and dark, and you have to give up a bunch of perfectly good special features to get that Superbit logo.

None of them are worth it, because Columbia has already exposed their marketing schemes. It wasn't that bad during the time of the first batch of Superbits, but now, we should all now that Columbia is the most evil movie company that releases at least 5 DVD versions of a movie now. The good thing is that most of Columbia's DVDs are of excellent audio/video quality, so stick with the first purchase of a DVD released by them. Don't get suckered into their scheme of buying updated DVD versions of the same movie.

Mask of Zorro.I haven't seen the original release to compare it to, but the picture quality on the Superbit is absolutely gorgeous.

Sound wise and picture wise, both Gattaca & Starship Troopers are worth the purchase. Dracula has INCREDIBLE sound as well.

I have also heard the R3 Tears Of The Sun Superbit (which does play in R1 players) has fantastic sound!

Actually, many non-Superbit discs from Sony have mediocre to poor transfers. Their Superbit line brings the quality up to acceptable standards.

Dracula as mentioned is quite a bit better than original, which has no extras anyway. XXX has a better transfer but you miss out on the extras.

I wouldn't think Underworld could be much better, so I'd steer clear of that.

My Favs
1a. The Fifth Element - Superbit
1b. The Mask of Zorro - Supebit
3. Spider-Man 2 - Superbit
4. Once Upon a Time in Mexico: Special Edition or Superbit (about the same)

Not a superbit, but it is one of the best video quality I have ever seen for a live action movie: "The Passion of the Christ"

I have 15 Superbit titles, and I'm pretty happy with them all...mostly for the dynamic DTS, which is really top notch on most of the surround heavy titles.

agree totally with Dracula, Starship Troopers, Desperado and The Fifth Element. Those are remarkable Superbits in every respect.

I think Bad Boys 2 is a slight improvement in transfer, and the DTS will floor you if you have strong subwoofers and rear speakers.

The transfer on Closer is also beautiful and that is a terrific movie.

While Panic Room Superbit seems a bit silly after the big release...it still is the best presentation of that film and one of the best DTS tracks I've heard (on par with Daredevil:Director's cut, Saving Private Ryan, and the already mentioned Starship Troopers.)

The Lawrence of Arabia Superbit is definitely worth it especially at Best Buy's current price of $10. Unlike most of these titles which just use the same transfers from the other releases with a higher bitrate, the LoA Superbit was restored with the previous releases' color issues finally corrected. It's the best quality and truest version of the film out there.

stay away from dark crystal and labyrinth superbits. the video quality is not much better than the old releases and the dts tracks supposedly do not sound any different.

walmart has both old versions $9.94 and they both have 50 minute documentaries that the superbits lack. the collector's editions don't seem worth it either as they cost more for mainly new packaging and booklets.

On DRACULA the original had excellent sound.
I couldn't tell the differance between the 2 dvds.

Regarding Cliffhanger, we could not disagree more. The original was cited for years as being one of the very worst transfers (visually) of all time. In fact, it was usually tied for this honor with the original release of "The English Patient."

My original Cliffhanger exhibits the following distractions, throughout: -major edge enhancement, even to the point where most of the scenes that did not use any process photography looked like it did; artificial red push, at times it appears to be as much as 20 to 25%; the result is fleshtones (especially faces) which appear to be permanently sunburned, and reds which bloom, on those scenes where they appear; low bitrate (a single layer disc was used, of course) -- and the resulting pixellization is obvious on my 65 inch Diamond Mits;

And, finally, the transfer was anamorphic, but the decision to try to squeeze a widescreen version AND a pan and scan version AND all of those extras onto a mere single-layer disc was the most disasterous, in my opinion.

The Superbit solved most of the above issues.

Just my opinions... take care,

-Bruce

Dracula is GREAT, Desperado has a good DTS soundtrack.

The SpiderMan movies are good too. I have a bunch, but I have not watched them all yet. I do actually own Labyrinth and Dark Crystal...both seem marginally better only. I think the original Labyrinth only had 2.0 sound

Are you talking about the SE?

no real difference in Hook except of course the DTS
if you have to choose now, 9.99 for both, choose superbit if you have the DTS surround, if not, the image is pretty much the same, as it was breathtaking in it's original release, after watching it on a rental for 10 years!

Exactly right. The SB is better than the SE for video and audio quality. The SE is less detailed. Someone posted picture difference between the 2, but I dont remember where they are.

Anyone with the Resident evil Superbit? I loved the movie and I have read a few older reviews but wanted a more recent opinion or two. Also the Das boot superbit. I have the DC and plan on getting the uncut version but what about the superbit? Is the video much better?

I recommend:

Resident Evil
Spiderman 1 & 2
Fifth Element

At least these are the ones I have and satisfied with them.

I have it and actually just watched it last week,the PQ is excellent.I would definately grab the Superbit for $10 if i were you since you like the movie so much.

And the DTS track is AWESOME. I was unable to find Spiderman 2 or Dracula so I'm off to another BB this week.

I also picked up Labyrinth, Snatch and Lawrence of Arabia. Anything that is a 2 disc for $9.99 ought to be worth it. Unfortunately I got Leon: The Professional at full price $19.99. Should I return it? Techincally it IS a Superbit (says so on the back of the slip cover)...

The SB of Das Boot is a big step up in picture quality over the original and the DTS sound is awesome. A definite recommendation for the SB of this title.:)

How is the Labyrinth compared to the original version? My girlfriend LOVES that movie and I want to get it for her if its worth an upgrade.

There were some pic comparisons for Spider-Man 1 SB vs. SE at IGN:

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/521/521335p1.html

If she really loves the movie, I'd recommend picking up the Collector's Edition box at DVDEmpire for $19.71. The transfer is virtually identical to the Superbit (I can't tell much of a difference) -- all you give up is the DTS, which was virtually identical to the DD track anyway.

But you get a lot of great goodies: an attractive (and thin!) box, great documentary, booklet, photo gallery, etc.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare2/labyrinth.htm
But having read that I ended up getting the CE because of this.
From DVDCompare.net
My wife also Loves this movie. She hasn't had a chance to see this CE version so I really can't tell you about it.

Thanks for the info.

BTW - My girlfriend and I were in Scottsboro, AL at Unclaimed Baggage last christmas....I was walking around and they had a couple displays. They had about 10 pieces from the Labyrinth including the original puppet, Hoggle. Very odd. I ran and got my girlfriend and we took her picture with him.

No problem. She must have loved that.

Post deleted due to absurdity upon further review of details.

The Labyrinth CE box doesn't say Superbit anywhere on it. It's $40 or something like that at Best Buy -- you won't be able to talk anyone into marking it down to $10. :(

Oh..I don't think anybody was saying that you could. Just giving him a suggestion on what do to. The best is what you said and get it somewhere else where it is cheaper.

Actually, exharrison was saying this... in the post just above mine. ;)