'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' - Defective Blu-ray?

[Blu-Moon]

Just got around to viewing my copy last night and it's defective. The picture has what look like horizontal "tears" or "blips" in the image and this happens a bunch of different places during the movie.

We have two Sony machines, the BDP-S350 and BDP-S360. Since the Blu-ray disc shows the same image problems on both machines I know it's not a player problem.

And speaking of problems, I no longer have the store receipt to do a return/exchange so I'm pretty much out of luck. Has anybody else had problems with this release? If this subject has already been mentioned on the board then I missed it. I tried searching for the topic before starting this thread but couldn't find anything.

[o0Andy0o]

I'm pretty sure that what you are experiencing is actually part of the movie, meaning that they intentionally made it look old to fit the mood. Is one of the scenes the scene in which the soldiers are at war? If so then yes, that is suppose to be on purpose.

[wnicholas76]

Originally Posted by o0Andy0o

I'm pretty sure that what you are experiencing is actually part of the movie, meaning that they intentionally made it look old to fit the mood. Is one of the scenes the scene in which the soldiers are at war? If so then yes, that is suppose to be on purpose.

+1

[Blu-Moon]

Originally Posted by o0Andy0o

I'm pretty sure that what you are experiencing is actually part of the movie, meaning that they intentionally made it look old to fit the mood. Is one of the scenes the scene in which the soldiers are at war? If so then yes, that is suppose to be on purpose.

The "tearing" starts in at the beginning of the movie, as Daisy lies dying in the hospital and her daughter is reading Benjamin's diary to her. I also have the movie on DVD and the same scenes that are marred on Blu-ray look ok on DVD.

It's aggravating but I can live with it.

[o0Andy0o]

Originally Posted by Blu-Moon

The "tearing" starts in at the beginning of the movie, as Daisy lies dying in the hospital and her daughter is reading Benjamin's diary to her. I also have the movie on DVD and the same scenes that are marred on Blu-ray look ok on DVD.

It's aggravating but I can live with it.

Okay, well then that's a differen't thing than from what I thought it was. You should contact Criterion and ask for a replacement.

[Blu-Moon]

Originally Posted by o0Andy0o

Okay, well then that's a differen't thing than from what I thought it was. You should contact Criterion and ask for a replacement.

Will do, and thanks!

[Ray O. Blu]

When she's reading the diary to her, the video is purposely old and worn to make it seem like antiquated footage, like when the great clock is being assembled. During those scenes there are a lot of vertical lines and shoddy lighting on the film. Just checked my copy and it's supposed to be like that. It's artsy. Sure makes the rest of the PQ seem even more incredible.

[saprano]

So much for artist intent

[ClaytonMG]

Do you have the time stamps to let us know at exactly what moment you're seeing the issue? I can't imagine you're talking about the scenes that purposely have the old beat up scratched look to them (especially if they're not there on the DVD) so I just want to make sure...

[Blu-Moon]

Originally Posted by Ray O. Blu

When she's reading the diary to her, the video is purposely old and worn to make it seem like antiquated footage, like when the great clock is being assembled. During those scenes there are a lot of vertical lines and shoddy lighting on the film. Just checked my copy and it's supposed to be like that. It's artsy. Sure makes the rest of the PQ seem even more incredible.

I see what you're saying, but the "tearing" in the picture on my Blu-ray copy is horizontal streaking in places, not vertical lines. As Daisy's daughter is reading Benjamin's diary it's taking place right when Hurricane Katrina is about to strike (29 August 2005), so no alterations to the "look" of those scenes was needed.

The "aging" that director David Finch deliberately incorporated into the film to achieve the antiquated look is very impressive from a narrative standpoint, but the opening scenes of the movie in the hospital wasn't a part of that.

Overall, defects aside, 'Benjamin Button' is one of the better Blu-rays released this year!

[Blu-Moon]

Originally Posted by ClaytonMG

Do you have the time stamps to let us know at exactly what moment you're seeing the issue? I can't imagine you're talking about the scenes that purposely have the old beat up scratched look to them (especially if they're not there on the DVD) so I just want to make sure...

I would, but my sister has my copy now. I loaned it to her so she could check it out and let me know later on what she sees. As for the time stamp particulars, the horizontal streaking/tearing begins during the opening hospital scenes (within the first 5 minutes or so) and occurs throughout the movie. As I said earlier, it's a small visual distraction but I can deal with it. It doesn't do it in every single scene, so at least that's a good thing!

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by Blu-Moon

I would, but my sister has my copy now. I loaned it to her so she could check it out and let me know later on what she sees. As for the time stamp particulars, the horizontal streaking/tearing begins during the opening hospital scenes (within the first 5 minutes or so) and occurs throughout the movie. As I said earlier, it's a small visual distraction but I can deal with it. It doesn't do it in every single scene, so at least that's a good thing!

I still think you should get a replacement.
Maybe take a few pictures and send Criterion an email.