Puppetmaster (1989) - July 27, 2010

[Adrock]

Puppetmaster

Puppetmaster Blu-ray Review

Puppetmaster will be released on blu-ray July 27, 2010. Along with this release will also be Puppetmaster: Axis of Evil (also being released July 27).




Puppetmaster: Axis of Evil

Puppetmaster Axis of Evil Blu-ray Review

I actually have never seen any of the Puppetmaster movies, but am pretty excited to have my first experience be on Blu-ray. They are definitely among some of the classic 80's horror films.

[sfmarine]

I've never seen these either. I wonder how they'll hold up 20 yrs later.

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

I've never seen these either. I wonder how they'll hold up 20 yrs later.

I'm definitely curious as well. 'Child's Play' was done in 1988 and I was not disappointed with how that held up. We'll see in a few weeks.

[DetroitSportsFan]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...-ray-june.html

[goresnet]

I loved puppetmaster! One of my favorite horror films of the latter 80's. Of course they sequeled it to death, much like childs play.

[Ator the Invincible]

I got both of these blus last week in the mail. They came in a cardboard replica of Toulon's trunk, which I ordered from Full Moon's website. Haven't had a chance to watch them yet. I'm hoping the quality is decent. Troma's blu-rays have been better than I expected, and I hope Full Moon at least matches them.

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by Ator the Invincible

I got both of these blus last week in the mail. They came in a cardboard replica of Toulon's trunk, which I ordered from Full Moon's website. Haven't had a chance to watch them yet. I'm hoping the quality is decent. Troma's blu-rays have been better than I expected, and I hope Full Moon at least matches them.

That's awesome! The trunk set is super cool. Definitely keep us posted on your thoughts whenever you get around to givin' them a viewing.

[kosvines]

The quality of the first movie is many times better than the previous DVD (which was the same master created by Paramount in 1990), but still leaves a lot to be desired. Axis of Evil looks quite good. Some scenes are great, while the more indoor scenes have washed-out blacks and lack of contrast. But that's more the photography than quality of the disc itself, as it was shot in low-light.

Even though both discs state 5.1 surround, they're both Dolby Digital Stereo, with a measly 0.1 mbs bitrate (not sure how much exactly, as my BD player only shows it in Mb/s, but probably 192 kb/s, which is extremely low for a 2-channel audio). Both are also encoded in MPEG2, although with a high bitrate (average in the high 20's)

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by kosvines

The quality of the first movie is many times better than the previous DVD (which was the same master created by Paramount in 1990), but still leaves a lot to be desired. Axis of Evil looks quite good. Some scenes are great, while the more indoor scenes have washed-out blacks and lack of contrast. But that's more the photography than quality of the disc itself, as it was shot in low-light.

Even though both discs state 5.1 surround, they're both Dolby Digital Stereo, with a measly 0.1 mbs bitrate (not sure how much exactly, as my BD player only shows it in Mb/s, but probably 192 kb/s, which is extremely low for a 2-channel audio). Both are also encoded in MPEG2, although with a high bitrate (average in the high 20's)

Thanks for the little review, and spec information kosvines!

[kosvines]

Another heads up. Full Moon is aware of the lack of 5.1 surround, and was a production which just affected the earliest pressings. You can contact them for replacements.

[persuazion]

Cool.......I will pick both of these up...now how about that Demonic Toys blu?

[deadhatetheliving]

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3221/puppetmaster.html

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by deadhatetheliving

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3221/puppetmaster.html

As expected, an average release at best. But it's presented in 1.85:1 for the first time, and looks to be an upgrade from the DVD, so I'll get it eventually.

[LordCrumb]

I used to have the Full Moon Puppet Master collection (DVD)... sold it for $NZ250 a few years ago made a huge profit lol

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

As expected, an average release at best. But it's presented in 1.85:1 for the first time, and looks to be an upgrade from the DVD, so I'll get it eventually.

Hmmm... I'm not sure about this, was the 4:3 version open-matte?

[Bradp56]

I ordered this for $20 during 4th of july weekend super sale they were having, I saw a review and I am not expecting greatness but I am happy that it is a decent improvement over DVD. I just hope they bring out more movies like Subspecies thats the one I want the most.

[joltman]

Originally Posted by KaiGusto

I used to have the Full Moon Puppet Master collection (DVD)... sold it for $NZ250 a few years ago made a huge profit lol



Hmmm... I'm not sure about this, was the 4:3 version open-matte?

I saw an image comparison (for the record, it wasn't the Blu-ray, but I think from an HD TV airing) and the widescreen was definitely not just a cropped version of the 4:3, meaning the 4:3 WAS cropped. I was very surprised to find this out after all these years of assuming the 4:3 was the correct aspect ratio.

[Eidolon]

very pleased to read about the ratio. PM 1 & 3 are great films, but the rest are pretty terrible sadly.
I'm aware that Full Moon shot principally for DTV (4:3), so was a little puzzled about Puppet Master, as the framing in the dinner table scene always looked particulary tight at the edges. So it was shot wide after all.
I'll be upgrading my crappy UK PrismLeisure DVD in time, just wait it out for the 5.1 discs to filter out.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by deadhatetheliving

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3221/puppetmaster.html

From the review:

In the early seventies, Band developed his first production company and by the mid-1980s the young filmmaker had moved to Europe to form Empire Pictures -- the company responsible for producing and distributing dozens of films, including cult favorites 'Re-Animator,' 'Ghoulies,' 'Trancers,' 'Troll,' and the movie that traumatized my youth by making me never look at toys the same way again, Stuart Gordon's 'Dolls.'

I am impatiently waiting on Puppetmaster... Re-Animator is now my most hoped for Bd, but would love any of these. I loved all these back in the VHS days.

[kosvines]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

very pleased to read about the ratio. PM 1 & 3 are great films, but the rest are pretty terrible sadly.
I'm aware that Full Moon shot principally for DTV (4:3), so was a little puzzled about Puppet Master, as the framing in the dinner table scene always looked particulary tight at the edges. So it was shot wide after all.
I'll be upgrading my crappy UK PrismLeisure DVD in time, just wait it out for the 5.1 discs to filter out.

Puppet Master was planned as a theatrical release, but plans were changed in the last minute, and it went DTV instead. But I've always assumed the 4:3 was open matte. I will pull out my old box set, and compare it to the new Blu-ray shortly.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Rob71

From the review:

I am impatiently waiting on Puppetmaster... Re-Animator is now my most hoped for Bd, but would love any of these. I loved all these back in the VHS days.

Re-Animator is owned by Starz/Anchor Bay. Ghoulies and Troll is MGM/Fox.

Not sure about the others.