Older star trek movies on Blu-ray, Worth it?

[loki993]

Ive been looking at the Older Trek, movies on blu ray. However I have heard that they got a little crazy with the enhancements and kinda messed them up a bit. Ive done a bit of research and it doesn't seem likely that a re release with a better picture will be out before the next new trek movie. I'm not in a huge hurry to get them, just sometime so I can wait for e good deal on them.

So what do you think are they worth a buy or are they so bad just wait until the release versions with proper PQ?

[thorthefifth]

That's a tough choice. I bought them because I love them andthey are a definite upgrade from the DVDs but they are plagued by DNR and EE. They used old masters then still applied the smoothing. The only one not affected is the beautiful presentation of Wrath of Khan. The audio upgrade for all of them is substantial. It's up to you but buyer beware.

[Gone2HiDef]

I'm not so picky and up on all that DNR crap. I'm a Trekkie and had to buy them Day 1. I think the first two look terrific! And having the original theatrical cut of TMP is a treat, which has its charmingly acceptable share of grain. And obviously they're all definite upgrades in PQ to the DVD version. But again, I'm a fan, so I'll love regardless.

[spidy]

I've only watched the first season so far and only 1 episode of the 2nd season but what I've seen so far looks terrific. Of course, they won't look like a new movie but they do look very good. If you are just going to put them on the shelf then perhaps it isn't worth a purchase. For what Star Trek seasons have gone for in the past this seems like an absolute steal. Then again, maybe these seasons are finally coming down to earth and becoming affordable and they will get even cheaper later. Who knows?

[jceperley]

Also, remember that the boxsets (and I'm assuming the individual releases) of Motion Picture, Wrath of Khan and Undiscovered Country are the theatrical cuts. So, no enhanced visual effects for TMP, and both Khan and Country are missing some added subplots from their previous DVD versions. Plus, the transfers do suffer from bad DNR, except for II which had its transfer supervised by Nick Meyer, the director of the film (also haven't noticed any bad transfer problems for VI, which was also directed by Mr. Meyer, so maybe he supervised that one as well, I know it's the first time that film has been presented in it OAR of 2.4:1 as opposed to the 2:1 ratio the DVD had).

[bboisvert]

The sets look great.

Perfect? No. Very good/better than ever? Yes.


You could wait a few years and I'm sure they'll redo them (this is ST after all). But I don't see any reason to if you're interested in them. It's a great set and is typically available for a fantastic price.

[rubystone356]

I have the star trek movies set. I heard about the dnr problem. I never noticed it that much.. I feel they are worth the upgrade. it was cool to see the theatre version of 1 and 6. been a long time since I had seen both.

Jacob

[Maggot]

I have both the original and the next generation movie sets and they are a big step up in quality. Also, the original TV series looks incredible.

[KingLeonidas300]

I can only speak for the following:

Wrath of Kahn
Voyage Home
Undiscovered Country
First Contact

I didn't have them on DVD and think the blu's look great. I have the individual releases of the one above and have been waiting on the rest. I don't care of the two box sets.

[blu-bry]

I've been working my way through the set. I'm up to IV now. I am watching them on a 46" screen and I've been very pleased. I might be less happy if I were projecting them at a much larger size, but I'm fussy and they look pretty good to me. I actually enjoyed III more than I remembered since I haven't seen it in many years. It also looked pretty darn good. No regrets here.

[loki993]

Originally Posted by thorthefifth

That's a tough choice. I bought them because I love them andthey are a definite upgrade from the DVDs but they are plagued by DNR and EE. They used old masters then still applied the smoothing. The only one not affected is the beautiful presentation of Wrath of Khan. The audio upgrade for all of them is substantial. It's up to you but buyer beware.

Originally Posted by Gone2HiDef

I'm not so picky and up on all that DNR crap. I'm a Trekkie and had to buy them Day 1. I think the first two look terrific! And having the original theatrical cut of TMP is a treat, which has its charmingly acceptable share of grain. And obviously they're all definite upgrades in PQ to the DVD version. But again, I'm a fan, so I'll love regardless.

Sounds good. Im also not that picky either, ve just heard a lot of comments about people looking like wax and plastic. Also Im almost more concerned with great sound than picture, so the fact that the sound is great helps a lot.
Its been so long since Ive seem any of the old Star Trek movies it will be pretty much like watching them for the first time again. In fact I don't believe Ive EVER seen the first 3 all the way through at one time. Also I guess them being the theatrical cuts helps a bit als considering that probably a new remastered set would most likely be the Extended cuts.

Originally Posted by bboisvert

The sets look great.

Perfect? No. Very good/better than ever? Yes.


You could wait a few years and I'm sure they'll redo them (this is ST after all). But I don't see any reason to if you're interested in them. It's a great set and is typically available for a fantastic price.

Yeah I think you right. So what a good price. Im going to at least wait until theres a good sale on them.

Originally Posted by blu-bry

I've been working my way through the set. I'm up to IV now. I am watching them on a 46" screen and I've been very pleased. I might be less happy if I were projecting them at a much larger size, but I'm fussy and they look pretty good to me. I actually enjoyed III more than I remembered since I haven't seen it in many years. It also looked pretty darn good. No regrets here.

I have a 60inch RP so Im not putting it on a "huge" screen either.

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by kingleonidas300

i can only speak for the following:

Wrath of kahn
voyage home
undiscovered country
first contact

+1

[TylerDurden]

Undiscovered Country is the theatrical superior cut of the film.

[whbinder]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

Undiscovered Country is the theatrical superior cut of the film.

Ahh-men

I didn't really mind the very small amount of extra footage they put in the VHS and early DVD copies. Didn't really detract, but the weird black and white inserts and gongs they put in for the Collector's Edition DVD a couple of years back was terrible.

[dcowboy7]

No....I cant go for 4x3 blu.

[Squall835]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

No....I cant go for 4x3 blu.

Oh god, not this again...

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

No....I cant go for 4x3 blu.

wow, between your quote and your signature I believe Picard says it best..

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

No....I cant go for 4x3 blu.

1. The movies aren't 4x3.

2. wtf does aspect ratio have to do with blu? How something was filmed is how it was filmed. I don't need someone altering that just because I happen to be watching it on a 1.78:1 set.

[Clark Kent]

The transfers for the movies are relatively poor, showing little evidence of anything but older HD-masters that were initially done several years ago. You can bet that eventually better Blu-rays will show up as a double-dip by Paramount. The tv releases on the other hand are excellent, and should be picked up immediately.

[davidlg1971]

Originally Posted by loki993

So what do you think are they worth a buy or are they so bad just wait until the release versions with proper PQ?

As someone who saw all the films in the theaters when they were released, I can tell you: The Blu-Rays are the closest representation to the theatrical experience you're likely going to get.

I've owned them on VHS and DVD, and now Blu-Ray. Today I grabbed The Search For Spock Collector's DVD and the Blu-Ray for comparison on my 50" DLP, and switched back and forth.

The "Collector's Edition" DVD had loads of imperfections, from dust to black spots and so on.

But the Blu-Ray looked damn near perfect, with really big improvements in detail and clarity. But more than that: Color and weight. ILM's effect shots and model work just comes alive on Blu, and the colors pop. Everything looks more real, more vibrant. Spaceships, viewscreens, uniforms, even faces There was a shot in III where the Enterprise is destroyed, and the crew stands on a mountain looking at it fall from the sky. On the DVD, the coloring on the mattes were muted, so the crew on the mountaintop looked fake. On the Blu-Ray, it looked real.

During the fight scene between Reverend Jim Ignatowski from Taxi and Kirk, where Kirk kicks him off a cliff and into a lake of lava, the DVD looked pretty good. You could see reddish lava beneath them as they fought, though it was kind of smoky, not that clear.

But the Blu-Ray looked awesome. Just like I remembered it in the theaters - a hot red mess of burn.