Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition - June 29, 2010

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

I don't think it looks good. Both versions look like crap IMO. The UHE is just the lesser of the two evils.

And yes, the first release does attempt to represent the original film elements better, but the MPEG2 codec simply doesn't allow this attempt to go far.

So something that is contrast boosted and has extensive DNR which not only gives everything a very clean artificial waxy look which takes a back seat on fine detail, but the film's cinematography has been altered as well to the point that scenes that are meant to be taken place at night look like they are shot in the day, that is the lesser of 2 evils compared to the 2008 release which stays faithful to the orignal film elements but just comes up technologically short?

I don't understand that logic..

[leem6453]

There are scenes in the UHE that actually shine imo. The jungle scenes in particulare are very vibrant and more alive. The opening scene is horrid though.

[Blu-21]

Originally Posted by leem6453

There are scenes in the UHE that actually shine imo. The jungle scenes in particulare are very vibrant and more alive. The opening scene is horrid though.

The jungle is not meant to be vibrant and shiny place that looks like a video game, its meant to be a dirty gritty jungle. The 2008 release captures that feel while also pleasing the eye with some good colours and some strong detail. Being faithful to the source is more important then trying to artificially gives the illusion of a better looking image with digital tricky.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by blu-21

the jungle is not meant to be vibrant and shiny place that looks like a video game, its meant to be a dirty gritty jungle. The 2008 release captures that feel while also pleasing the eye with some good colours and some strong detail. Being faithful to the source is more important then trying to artificially gives the illusion of a better looking image with digital tricky.

+1.

[MerrickG]

This is one of my all time favorite bluray a because the DNR is so bad it's absolutely hilarious.

I appreciate this disc from the perspective as to how badly something can go wrong.

[42041]

Originally Posted by leem6453

There are scenes in the UHE that actually shine imo. The jungle scenes in particulare are very vibrant and more alive. The opening scene is horrid though.

That might be a good look for a nature documentary. But that is not the look of Predator's theatrical color timing, which is murky and drenched in deep shadows.

[leem6453]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

The jungle is not meant to be vibrant and shiny place that looks like a video game, its meant to be a dirty gritty jungle. The 2008 release captures that feel while also pleasing the eye with some good colours and some strong detail. Being faithful to the source is more important then trying to artificially gives the illusion of a better looking image with digital tricky.

Not to be misunderstood, I do enjoy the 2008 release MUCH more than the UHE. I guess the way I should've rephrased that is...if I had to find some merit in the UHE, it would be the jungle scenes. I actually do enjoy them. The overall transfer is a mess though. The 2008 release while not perfect is much more consistent.

[Oblivion138]

Both releases certainly have their problems. For the original release, it's compression and a pitiful bitrate...for the UHE, it's DNR overload and contrast boosting. In screenshots, both stand out like a sore thumb. In motion, the UHE's problems are far more noticeable. Artifacts come and go from moment to moment...they're relatively easy to miss or tune out. The DNR is just there, and it's not going anywhere.

[The Fallen Deity]

Does anybody reckon fox will add this film to their film maker signature series this year and do a new director's approved transfer, i hope so but it's unlikely, fingers crossed.

[YodasFootPowder]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

Does anybody reckon fox will add this film to their film maker signature series this year and do a new director's approved transfer, i hope so but it's unlikely, fingers crossed.

I'm sure we'll see, yet, another release, sometime, but I'd bet it will be another couple of years, at least.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

Does anybody reckon fox will add this film to their film maker signature series this year and do a new director's approved transfer, i hope so but it's unlikely, fingers crossed.

Depends on McTiernan since the Filmmamker's Signature Series has involved the director of each title personally.

[tylergfoster]

In case anyone is wondering, despite what it says in the database (I have corrected the listing but my corrections have not yet gone through), 20th Century Fox's Own the Moments double feature of Predator and Predator 2 includes the old release of Predator, and not the UHE. It was only $7.88 at my local Walmart, so I picked it up.

If this info was already posted, since this 2-disc set is pretty old, sorry.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by droidguy1119

In case anyone is wondering, despite what it says in the database (I have corrected the listing but my corrections have not yet gone through), 20th Century Fox's Own the Moments double feature of Predator and Predator 2 includes the old release of Predator, and not the UHE. It was only $7.88 at my local Walmart, so I picked it up.

If this info was already posted, since this 2-disc set is pretty old, sorry.

That's a good deal. Beats the $15 or so I paid for the 2008 release and $10 Predator 2.

[The Great Owl]

I found this edition for five dollars at used bookstore during lunch break today. I have been wanting to buy Predator since I bought a Blu-ray player, but I am glad that I did my homework on this website before buying the Ultimate Hunter Edition that ubiquitously appears for a cheap price at all the stores around here.

I have not had a chance to give this one a viewing yet. Based on what I've read here, though, it'll look like the gloriously dirty movie it always has been, except with more detail.

This is hardly my favorite movie, but I've loved it since seeing it at the theater back in 1987, and it's probably my favorite 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger flick. Just a good old rugged beatdown of an action movie that hits the spot whenever I'm in that frame of mind.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I found this edition for five dollars at used bookstore during lunch break today. I have been wanting to buy Predator since I bought a Blu-ray player, but I am glad that I did my homework on this website before buying the Ultimate Hunter Edition that ubiquitously appears for a cheap price at all the stores around here.

I have not had a chance to give this one a viewing yet. Based on what I've read here, though, it'll look like the gloriously dirty movie it always has been, except with more detail.

This is hardly my favorite movie, but I've loved it since seeing it at the theater back in 1987, and it's probably my favorite 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger flick. Just a good old rugged beatdown of an action movie that hits the spot whenever I'm in that frame of mind.

"You have chosen wisely."

[The Great Owl]

I watched my 2008 edition last night, and am hard-pressed to imagine how Predator could look better without excessive tinkering. This looks much better than any previous format that I have owned for this movie.

Predator will never look glossy. The random grainy images in the jungle darkness, and the blurry scene with Schwarzenegger jumping into the water from the cliff were not state-of-the-art when I saw them at the theater in 1987, but that's how this particular movie rolls along. This movie has that "bigger is always better, but not necessarily clear-looking" approach that just about every other action movie had during the mid-to-late 1980s, and, to an extent, the early 1990s (probably why my Blu-ray of Point Break is likely the best possible presentation that it will ever have).

Predator is what it is, and the 2008 Blu-ray shows off the detail in fine form without revisionism. The fight scenes during the conclusion, with the sparks and flames in the background, look downright amazing. The alien's camouflage looks better than ever. As always, I can work around the occasional blurry shot or grain image that pops up a split second here and a split second there.

[ObiWanShinobi]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I watched my 2008 edition last night, and am hard-pressed to imagine how Predator could look better without excessive tinkering. This looks much better than any previous format that I have owned for this movie.

Predator will never look glossy. The random grainy images in the jungle darkness, and the blurry scene with Schwarzenegger jumping into the water from the cliff were not state-of-the-art when I saw them at the theater in 1987, but that's how this particular movie rolls along. This movie has that "bigger is always better, but not necessarily clear-looking" approach that just about every other action movie had during the mid-to-late 1980s, and, to an extent, the early 1990s (probably why my Blu-ray of Point Break is likely the best possible presentation that it will ever have).

Predator is what it is, and the 2008 Blu-ray shows off the detail in fine form without revisionism. The fight scenes during the conclusion, with the sparks and flames in the background, look downright amazing. The alien's camouflage looks better than ever. As always, I can work around the occasional blurry shot or grain image that pops up a split second here and a split second there.

Agreed! I thought it looked decent throughout but yeah, that fight at the end is where it shines IMO.

[tylergfoster]

If anyone else is looking for the double feature (which, again, contains the 2008 Blu-Ray), it was on a new Wal-Mart endcap with a handful of other 20th Century Fox Own the Moments double features, and some cheap Buena Vista stuff.

[skullsdontfade]

I purchased the movie moments version and the disc says ultimate hunter edition. That bummed me out but then the disc wouldn't even load. Might just return and look for the non UHE version.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by skullsdontfade

I purchased the movie moments version and the disc says ultimate hunter edition. That bummed me out but then the disc wouldn't even load. Might just return and look for the non UHE version.

It's only $11.10 on Amazon right now if you just want to keep it easy on yourself.