For fuck sakes, what is the problem this time???

I've mentioned this in some other forums, but I would be prepared to be underwhelmed by Hard Boiled on this Stranglehold disc (if it ever comes out).

I keep reading it being referred to as "Hard Boiled on Blu-Ray". Technically, the video file is on a Blu-Ray disc, since it comes with a PS3 game. But, this IS a video file slapped on the disc and accessible from the menu. It isn't like a stand-alone release, where it has to meet some Blu-Ray movie spec. And it isn't the first time it's been done.

While some videogame journalists have "confirmed" it's 1080p, Midway has - unless someone can find somewhere where they stated otherwise - only stated that it SUPPORTS 1080p. And it's in the same sentence where they state that it supports "all resolutions, including 1080p". I have yet to see Midway say it's a 1080p transfer. They said they took the digital master tape and converted it to support all HD resolutions themselves. All of my DVDs "support" 1080p when upconverted.

If I had to guess - and I will - I am betting that by "support" they mean that they will allow the PS3 to upconvert whatever they stick on there so that your display device will read "1080p" if you check while it plays. Given that Midway is apparently behind the "transfer" from the digital master to the Blu-Ray disc, I would not expect much.

I don't think there's a way to trick the display. I've got video games whose native resolution is 720p, but "support" 1080p, and it reads 720p on my display. Heck, sometimes I get stuff that says it's 1080p, and it actually comes up as 1080i.

I am interested in anyone's impressions of the possibly HD version of 'Hard Boiled' on the 'Stranglehold' disk.

My Amazon pre-order (from July, I think) apparently won't be fulfilled anytime soon (and I'm a Prime subscriber,) either because they ran out of copies or they never received a shipment. Amazon's typically extraordinarily conservative shipping estimate is 11/27-12/11. (My 'The Shining' BD arrives tomorrow --in time for Halloween!-- when they initially estimated that it would arrive 11/7-11/14.)

I might buy it elsewhere but I'm concerned about the quality of the 'Hard Boiled' presentation and that issues with the Unreal engine on PS3 might result in lousy gameplay for that platform. (I had lots of fun with the PSN 'Stranglehold' demo.)

And if Amazon did run out of copies, I wonder if they will be able to get more of this supposedly limited "collector's edition."

Anyone have opinions?

I think compared to some of the other special editions this one might not last simply because of the movie on the disc. It's not some of the usual fluff that's on these so called 'special editions'. The only problem that I see is if the movie's quality is terrible beyond belief then maybe you'll have an easy time getting it from Amazon.

Like you, I'm waiting on hearing the reviews about the movie's quality because I really liked the demo and waited on purchasing the 360 version.

Just checked and my copy shipped from familyvideo today. I have mixed feelings about how it's going to be. At least they finally sent it though.

I'm sure in a couple of months your going to find it used for $39.99.

I'm going to wait. After refunding my money because of the length I had to wait for this title especially with it already being out on XB360 for over 2 months now.

I just want the movie.

Someone had this to say about the quality of the Hard Boiled disc on the listing for the Stranglehold CE on Amazon:

Hard Boiled movie not in HD quality., November 2, 2007
By E. NGUYEN (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Fun:
I bought the PS3 Stranglehold Collector's Edition because it includes one of my favorite movie Hard Boiled in Blu-ray. The movie is a classic for action lover. I was very disappointed that the movie is only not in HD quality but it look worse than the Dragon Dynasty DVD version. Shame on Sony and Midway.

The game otherwise is a lot of fun to play. 9/10

I've got it but haven't had a chance to check it out... I'm one firmware upgrade away from the PS3 allowing the disc to load (think it needs 1.93). Once FW 2.0 is out tomorrow, I'll hook up my 20G PS3 on-line & see what it looks like.

Sorry about the delay, but review posted here - check it out and let me know what you think. :D

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=520019

Thanks, great review TS. I got it myself in hopes we'd see something above a DVD transferm but oh well. But the game does rock! It defintitely keeps the tone and feel of the movie.

Just FYI, the Tartan Collector's Edition DVD of Hard-Boiled (with properly translated subtitles, even if it does have the PAL 4% speed up) is available pretty cheaply at amazon.co.uk; just log in with your amazon.com userID and it will have your address and payment information already on-board. It is a PAL disc, not NTSC, but you can get DVD players that will handle that (such as the Phillips DVP-642) for under $50 these days—and if you play through your computer, that's not a problem at all.

Also, the Mei-Ah remastered version is also available cheaply through DDD House, an exporter in Hong Kong. (Remember, US$1 = HK$7.90.) As far as I know, it should be region 0 and play on any US player.

As an added bonus, neither of these films suffer from the crop-and-stretch that dogs DD's Hard-Boiled print. And they're cheap enough you might just want to go ahead and get 'em both! (Though they probably will take a bit of time to cross their respective oceans.)