Thanks for the great reviews, Josh. I didn't see this in the theater, and wasn't sure if this was going to be worth a blind buy. I might pick it up now, as a "show-off" disc.

Paramount still has me scratching my head. I don't understand why they'd go though the time and expense of encoding this film twice. Maybe they just like giving the marketing interns something to read about on internet forums...

Edited to add:
In reality, I can think of lots of reasons to encode the film with different codecs. My head-scratching stems more from why they'd release BD with one codec, and HD DVD with another. Are they just trying to fuel the controversy?

What really puzzles me is why they dropped 3 of the easter eggs off the HD DVD. Both formats otherwise have the exact same features and even the exact same interactive menus, but 3 of the eggs aren't found on the HD DVD (and believe me I searched through every possible button combination).

The Sky Captain HD DVD is also missing an egg found on the Blu-ray (and DVD).

Great reviews Josh_Z !

Awesome review Josh, I also really liked your take on the film itself. I think 3 is the highlight and 1 is very good, just taking 2 at face value makes it a bit more tolerable. Did you get the whole M:I set to review or just the new one?

Excellent reviews Josh. I especially liked your intro to the series; thought that was right on. I've got the box set on order and I'll be looking forward to getting it.

So the BD verison only has Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, correct?

Correct.

But its the same kbps as the Dolby Digital + right?? 640??

EDIT: I see on hddvddigest that its 1.5mb and they have not confirmed the rate for BD.

We got the Ultimate Missions set on Blu-ray but that one's going to John. We've put another request in to Paramount for the HD DVD version.

Update: Looks like the Ultimate Missions HD DVD box is on its way to me now.

According to High Def Digest:

"(Note that we've received updated info that the HD DVD is in fact encoded at 1.5mbps, though Paramount has yet to confirm to us the bitrate for the Blu-ray.)"

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/missi...ssibleiii.html

Price sticker on both HD and BD box sets at the local best buy is 72.99

That's better. Their website had 99.99.

It didnt freak anyone else out when Tom Cruise says 'lets pause for a sec' during the commentary, and the movie actually stops so Tom and JJ can talk fullscreen?

D

Certainly not any of the people who own the BD version .

It freaked me out as well.

I think it's awesome that they're doing that. I like that it's becoming a more active feature.

Sounds like the best use of IME yet.

Wow, that does sound pretty cool. I'll definitely be watching that IME.

I have to disagree. Mainly because each time they stop, its just to go into more detail on how great Tom Cruise is. I know commentaries have lots off fluff by nature, but this one is just over the top. Here's a drinking game. Watching MI3 and the Extras disc, each time someone mentions how incredible tom cruise it, take a really small sip. Ten minutes in and you'll be falling down drunk.

D

I agree. I found both versions of this commentary just unbearable. I honestly can't remember a single piece of useful information delivered in it. It was all Tom and J.J. patting each other on the backs and repeating how much fun they had working together. Over and over and over and over again.

So, this is interesting. MI3 is the first title I've reviewed on both formats where the Blu-ray article has attracted more hits (so far). It's not a huge difference, but there's a gap. Usually the HD DVD review of a dual-format title will get more hits.

The only significant difference between the two articles is that the Blu-ray version has more Easter Egg info.

Of course, this trend could completely reverse at any moment.

I support HD-DVD fully, but I tend to view the Blu-Ray reviews more... mainly to see when they get their act together, I guess. Close, now... but not quite. I was very happy to see all 3 2-disc versions of MI3 at Frys for $21.99 yesterday, btw.

I got my Missions set today in the mail. If the disc are as good as people are saying Paramount may have set the bar for early HD content. I mean a four disc set loaded with extras, day and date with the DVD set. Not saying anything bad about Warner or Universal as they have done an excellent job as well, but this a real treat. I am looking foward to more big movies hitting day and date. I like the boxset as well. I am surprised Universal did not do a box for Fast and the Furious or maybe Warner waiting and doing all the Lethal Weapons together.

I read the BR review just to see what you said about the video. I know that the HD-DVD will be good. Other people are probably doing the same.

Yesterday, I saw the Blu-ray review in the "New Review" advert all day. Today I see the HD DVD version. That probably has a lot to do with it.

Thats exactly what I did...