I ordered the HK version and will post screenshots if anyone with the R2 is willing to post screens as well.

Even though no one has seemed to take you up on your offer, Trigger, do you mind posting screenshots anyway? I'm really curious about how good the HK version looks.

Same here... if screen shot are not avail., your thoughts and opinion would be great.

I would be willing to post some shots (of the R2 Ver)...but I just need the software to do it :D

Any help would be appreciated.

-d

I'll post a screenie once I get my copy... hasn't arrived yet.

candyrocket - what dvd software player(s) are you using?

Just ordered the HK version also. For $14.95 shipped, it's worth checking out. CD-Wow lists it as having "HD-Cam Processing", so if true, it could be an excellent transfer.

Bwahahaha ...it went straight-to-video in Hong Kong! Never had a theatrical release.

WinDVD 5 for Vaio on my gf's laptop
WinDVD 2000 on my pc

I have windvd 4 and I haven't tried to use it for screen captures... I don't think it does them (not the version I have), but I'm pretty sure version 5 does it. Should be in the help file. If you still can't capture because of macrovision or whatever, get DVD Region-Free or some other program to disable that and to allow screen caps. I'm tired or else I'd get you links and such. Let me know if you need more walking through - I still haven't gotten my copy of the film yet.

Do you want me to upload some screen caps now or wait until you have your R3 release?

LMK

-d

Go ahead - I wanna see them anyway... I'm sure others do as well. Put approx time stamp on it so I know where to take my shots when I get mine.

Here's a few. The filename is the actual timestamp in HHMMSS (Let me know if I uploaded too many and I'll modify the links.)

Title Menu
Chapter Menu
Audio Menu

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/012224.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/010125.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/000751.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/000142.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/010158.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/012236.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/010041.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/010114.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/004113.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/000158.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/005933.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/015532.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/012953.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/011106.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/010155.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/015018.jpg

Here's one... I didn't want to spoil the film for me since I hadn't watched it yet, so I'll try to post others later after I've watched it. The transfer is pretty good from what I can tell... this shot was in motion and difficult to get exactly the same frame. The time codes were off by about a minute. The menus aren't bad for a HK dvd. The sound is outstanding. I might post a review once I've watched it.

http://members.cox.net/trigger/cassh1.jpg

Japan: Top / HK: Bottom
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ern/015632.jpg
http://members.cox.net/trigger/cassh1.jpg


Looks good to me. :D

Yes, it does look quite excellent. I had my heart set on the 3-disc R2 release but, at such a low price, the 1 disc R3 release may be the way to go. Decisions decisions...

I so wanted to like this movie, but in the end it was so pretentious and corny.

Positive
- It was an interesting premise and the effects were amazing.

Negatives
- the editing was to spastic
- the film was too long
- the acting was inconsistent and sometimes over the top
- the ending was an eye-roller.
- (DVD) the 6.1 DTS-ES soundmix is a letdown.

I'd give it a C-.

QUESTION:
Who is the actor who played the General's son, what other films has he been in?

What exactly about the soundmix do you find a letdown, Giles?

the rear surrounds seemed to be only used during the war scenes, the music while intricate felt restrained. For a movie so visual, the audio rarely registered any sort of excitement.

I've got to say that the production design and artistic value of the film was spectacular, but the story was only so-so.

I kept waiting for a Squaresoft logo to fly out and the game to start...

I thought this film was a piece of crap - I can't really put my finger on why. It was really boring and senseless. Like others, I thought the visuals were brilliant. The story was based on a mildly interesting premise, but failed to tell it well. The characters were all flat and there was no reason to get invested in their lives. Giles hit the nail on the head with the sound - the music would've been great had they juiced it up past 11, but they just had it as a quiet background noise like elevator music. Bleh. I think this could be a good film if they re-edit and juice the score and maybe develop characters with more internal monologue or voiceover or something.

lol.

hi,

i live in the uk, our region 2 release has been announced (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=56329) but im guessing the one shown here on this forum will remain the definitive collection??

a few questions though, firstly are all the features available with english subtitles?? and finally, where is the best place to buy it from, any suggestions??

thanks to everyone for their help

There's also a Thai 2-disc R0 release at HKflix. But, just as the Japanese release, the special features are not subtitled in English.

If you're a fan of the movie and either understand Japanese or find the promotional materials worth it for the visuals alone, go for the Japanese release. If you're unsure about the film, go for the cheaper R3 release. Dunno about the new Thai release as I've not seen any reviews.

I also just found out about the Thai release, and it seems to be as cheap as the HK one. But seemingly making it a better buy is that it contains a DTS-ES 6.1 track, and there is a second disc of extras (although w/o subs). Here's a link to it at dvdasian:
http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvda...AX4&mv_pc=3949

Try ThaiNetCity.com for the R0 release - $9 plus shipping. They've also got good prices on other titles, the Azumi R0 is $7, Silmido R0 is $8. They will ship just the discs and inserts in order to save on shipping if you want.

Placed my order for those, plus a bunch of other Korean and Thai DVDs a few days ago, I got a fedex shipping notice yesterday so can't yet vouch for the quality of service, but so far so good.