I disagree, I think the Criterion looks better. The warm oranges feel more accurate to me than the slightly pale-looking pinks. In the fourth cap, look at the shadows on Benicio's chin and face, or the lighting on Depp's in the first extra Blu-Ray-only comparison. The look is more naturalistic, to my eyes.

Seeing the review from dvdbeaver and blu-ray dot com....seems like both transfers have EE. CC though as the least of it. Universald seems to have some apparent issues. Like I said...the colors to me are much better in the CC BD. The Universal one is a bit too red.

I prefer the colors in the Criterion as well.

Which one looks better? Who cares, they are both from the same almost decade old master.

.....so you're saying they're the same? But...not the same?

The master that Criterion used is the one supplied to them by Universal way back in 02 or 03 for their DVD release. The differences between the Universal and Criterion DVD, and now bluray releases are the result of tweaks in the video domain.

So....why are you asking who cares about the PQ cuz it comes from the same transfer? the source is irrelevant in this case...it's what's done w/ it that matters.

It's entirely relevant. An HD transfer prepared in 2001 is outdated and won't look very good no matter what kind of video post processing you subject it to. Ie, both of the transfers are inadequate.

true but when that's what you got and there's a difference in the PQ for both....that's why it matters for us to decide in which one we want based on the PQ...and of course the AQ + features.

Criterion:
http://images.blu-ray.com/reviews/4108_6_1080p.jpg

Universal:
http://images.blu-ray.com/reviews/2404_1_1080p.jpg

They both look like crap.

I already own the Criterion DVD.

Well, I'll agree, the colors do seem better on the Criterion, but I like the sharpness and detail of the Universal.

The real reason the Criterion looks better is because it has a spine number. Admit it, guys!

I honestly don't care about this debate. The DVD is good enough for me because I never liked Fear & Loathing.

The Universal HD DVD looks pretty okay to me. Even if the Criterion is only marginally better I will be fine with it.

You're posting in a specifically blu-ray thread to say that you don't care about the debate between two available blu-ray versions of a movie, and that you're fine owning the DVD anyway because you don't even like the movie?

On topic: I had no preconceived notions about the quality of the CC blu-ray (hadn't checked out the dvdbeaver review, etc.) and have not seen the Universal one. I put the CC on this weekend and was very surprised at how poor it looked. I guess the source just isn't that great. There are films decades older that look clearer, more vibrant, etc. I assume Criterion did what they could here, but I was a bit disappointed.

I blind bought Fear & Loathing on DVD, didn't like it so I'm not upgrading it.

One of the last indie stores in my area just went out of business and, as my farewell purchase, I bought the CC DVD of "Fear & Loathing" (a crazy steal @ $5.99, used). I hadn't seen it since it's release and I remember not really liking it. Since I know more about film now than then and I have a greater appreciation I looked forward to revisiting it.

My opinion hasn't changed much. It doesn't offend me, but it doesn't hit me either. I listened to Gilliam's commentary and the producer/Depp/Del Toro commentary and am far more intrigued, but maybe it's just too kaleidoscopic for me to connect to the subtext. Taking it on its surface, I find it uncomfortable and sad in a way that doesn't reveal much. I'm looking forward to seeing it again... someday.

I haven't seen the Criterion Blu-ray, but I really liked the Universal disc, from what I remember it had a very sharp and very detailed image. Perhaps it was due to some sort of EE, but I didn't notice any ringing in the transfer. By looking at the screenshots, I'm not sure I would like the subdued colors and the softer transfer of the Criterion version.

I'm surprised so many people are commenting to say they didn't connect with the film. It's one of my personal favorites. I could easily watch this film repeatedly and never get sick of experiencing it. Once the Criterion Blu-ray goes on sale it's definitely going to be added to my collection.

Same with me, but I remember when we showed it at the theater I worked at. There were a lot of people who walked out scratching their heads. Of course, it's Terry Gilliam.

H-Def Release Lists gives a 8/2 release date for Orphee.

When Criterion upgrades one movie out of a box set it messes up my shelf.

The Boxset is OOP so I am guessing they don't have the rights to the other films.