Predator - Reviews and Reaction Thread

[KingLeerUK]

Disregarding entirely any discussion of the audio or picture quality, the latest slew of Predator-branded catalogue titles is cut-off at the knees by the ommission of all the Special Features and other supplements that have already been authored and are available on the 2-disc standard definition DVD versions. The choice not to include these, even in 480p, on these premium priced Blu-ray releases is a blatant slap in the face to every fan of the film and is a total waste of money in the face of the sure-to-come double-dip in a year or so.

Great picture/audio quality makes these a lovely rental from Netflix, but a definite "no buy" until they can sort out how to do a proper release. To all those who are buying now, I salute you for your financial fortitude but am saddened at what is surely the first step toward wallet rape.

[owa]

Originally Posted by GeneD5

for those skeptics...go get it at target on the 20th when it is on sale for $20, bring the $5 coupon. A $15 blu is no problemo...

Yeah, can't see many complaining about that price. Do you know if that's for Commando as well? Just want to make sure I pass along the info to friends that might want to pick it up at that price.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

I think Fox needs to take a cue from Buena Vista on what they've recently done with their catalog titles. Crimson Tide, Con Air, The Rock and Enemy of the State all have new, high bitrate AVC encodes.

Disney is perhaps the finest Blu-Ray producer around. The only blemish on their record from where I sit is the Narnia disc coming without the extended cut and without all the features from the 4-disc S-DVD.

Then again, Disney only released that version for a few weeks to make a collector's item out of it. You can still find it, but it was intentionally meant to be a limited-issue collector's item.

[sweatermeatluv]

Predator just ended, now I'm on AVP box. I own both on dvd, and in 1080p these both look like I've never seen them before. I'm catching everything! So with films like this, I have know problem Double-Dipping! There much better the second time around! That's right, I said it!

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by owa

Yeah, can't see many complaining about that price. Do you know if that's for Commando as well? Just want to make sure I pass along the info to friends that might want to pick it up at that price.

No, just Predator is $19.99.

And by the way, it's not a sure thing that the cashier will except that $5 off toy coupon, since well... it's not a toy.

[GeneD5]

Just to lend input I've used the coupon at least 5 times on groceries, blus, booze you name it...no problem!

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

No, just Predator is $19.99.

And by the way, it's not a sure thing that the cashier will except that $5 off toy coupon, since well... it's not a toy.

I don't think this is nationwide, either; maybe just local?

My Target ad here didn't have it at all, unless I go in the store and it's marked down there with no advertisement for it. I was miffed when I saw the ad...

[SBrooks1]

Watching Predator now, I don't care what the reviews say this looks pretty damn good. Somewhat grainy yes but it's a definite upgrade over the DVD and it's the best I've ever seen. The audio is damn good too. DTS-HD MA can been seen in the "Select" menu while it plays and even though I'm only using optical and getting 1.5mb/s it still sounds damn good.

[SBrooks1]

The musical score really screams here and the LFE is really deep. I'm impressed.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

I don't think this is nationwide, either; maybe just local?

My Target ad here didn't have it at all, unless I go in the store and it's marked down there with no advertisement for it. I was miffed when I saw the ad...

It's in next week's ad, which starts Sunday.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by SBrooks1

Watching Predator now, I don't care what the reviews say this looks pretty damn good. Somewhat grainy yes but it's a definite upgrade over the DVD and it's the best I've ever seen. The audio is damn good too. DTS-HD MA can been seen in the "Select" menu while it plays and even though I'm only using optical and getting 1.5mb/s it still sounds damn good.

I watched the DVD on sunday and I bought the Blu today. it looks BEAUTIFUL! Seriously fans of this movie should buy this right now.

[sweatermeatluv]

Originally Posted by SBrooks1

Watching Predator now, I don't care what the reviews say this looks pretty damn good. Somewhat grainy yes but it's a definite upgrade over the DVD and it's the best I've ever seen. The audio is damn good too. DTS-HD MA can been seen in the "Select" menu while it plays and even though I'm only using optical and getting 1.5mb/s it still sounds damn good.

Grainy? What are you watching this on?

[Blu Falcon]

I can honestly say that I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the PQ of Predator. Considering what they've done with CE3K, Trading Places, Blade Runner, etc. I'm inclined to believe the same can be done for Predator. For the price I paid I expected more. Still, it remains one of my favorite action movies from that era. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

[SBrooks1]

Originally Posted by sweatermeatluv

Grainy? What are you watching this on?

Samsung 40" LCD via HDMI @ 1080i (the TV's max res)

[Blu Falcon]

Originally Posted by RUR

Unless you have some inside knowledge to share that the transfer, vs. the original film elements, is causing sub-optimal (I chose that word carefully) PQ, I suggest you consider the opinion of the insider/film editor I've quoted in post #62.

Interesting. I'll have to take such things into consideration before making an opinion on the HD PQ of older films. I will say that the HD DVD transer of Casablanca is quite impressive though.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by Blu Falcon

I can honestly say that I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the PQ of Predator. Considering what they've done with CE3K, Trading Places, Blade Runner, etc. I'm inclined to believe the same can be done for Predator. For the price I paid I expected more. Still, it remains one of my favorite action movies from that era. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

Predator was not filmed the same way those other movies were. It was supposed to look gritty and grainy.

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by Blu Falcon

I can honestly say that I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the PQ of Predator. Considering what they've done with CE3K, Trading Places, Blade Runner, etc. I'm inclined to believe the same can be done for Predator. For the price I paid I expected more. Still, it remains one of my favorite action movies from that era. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

Again.. CE3K cost so much to produce, and made so little (on both format), i don't think we'll see another remaster of this calibur for a good while (check the Sony Insider thread, they barely made any money to cover the cost of production)

Trading Places.. i think they were lucky, not all Paramount Catalog look good, some are crappy like Top Gun with is NR O Plently 10 years old remaster.

I think the best studio for Catalog are Warner, Sony and Disney (you'll have to remove Scary MOvie from their list tought LOL)

We'll see how good Sony is with MIB... i saw it in 1080i a while ago and it was so crappy and soft it was unbeileably one of the worst i ever saw, then MIB2 played and POW superb PQ....

[Blu Falcon]

Originally Posted by gamma626

Predator was not filmed the same way those other movies were. It was supposed to look gritty and grainy.

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Again.. CE3K cost so much to produce, and made so little (on both format), i don't think we'll see another remaster of this calibur for a good while (check the Sony Insider thread, they barely made any money to cover the cost of production)

Trading Places.. i think they were lucky, not all Paramount Catalog look good, some are crappy like Top Gun with is NR O Plently 10 years old remaster.

I think the best studio for Catalog are Warner, Sony and Disney (you'll have to remove Scary MOvie from their list tought LOL)

We'll see how good Sony is with MIB... i saw it in 1080i a while ago and it was so crappy and soft it was unbeileably one of the worst i ever saw, then MIB2 played and POW superb PQ....

Noted. I try not to be overly critical of older films in regards to audio, but I'm guilty of being ignorant about how the source material is treated and the challenges associated with trying to bring out the absolute best in something that wasn't all that great to begin with. I do appreciate you guys enlightening me though.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Blu Falcon

Interesting. I'll have to take such things into consideration before making an opinion on the HD PQ of older films. I will say that the HD DVD transer of Casablanca is quite impressive though.

It's entirely case-dependent and we're fortunate to have the opinion of someone familiar with Predator's history (and intrinsic shortcomings). Predator may never look much/any better than it does right now. Thank God Casablanca fared better and I'm anxiously awaiting the BD.

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by Blu Falcon

Noted. I try not to be overly critical of older films in regards to audio, but I'm guilty of being ignorant about how the source material is treated and the challenges associated with trying to bring out the absolute best in something that wasn't all that great to begin with. I do appreciate you guys enlightening me though.

I agree.
Lethal Weapon looked no better than DVD but then Cat People(HD DVD) looked good. The Fly also wasn't that bad but wasn't great either.
I guess in some cases, you have to enjoy the story/action/movie and get past the subpar transfer.
The extras are no issue for me since I mainly watch the movies and look for extras on the web if needed.


Anyway, going to BestBuy to pick up my copy for $22.50 with AVP II.