The Abyss 4K UHD (1989)

[Mierzwiak]

Originally Posted by NeilZ

I think both Aliens and the Abyss look incredibly similar in terms of the restoration work, but funnily enough because we haven't seen The Abyss looking good in so long we're much more forgiving on it is my guess.

No, that's not it. While it's obvious some processing was used, I can clearly see that The Abyys looks much more natural than the rest, even Titanic. There's grain (fake or not, whatever), eyes or wrinkles aren't extremely sharpened and exaggerated by the upscaling / sharpening algorithm, I can't see actors' skin looking like they got it transplanted from Jabba the Hutt, and there's pretty pleasant softness to the image. It's not as film-like as I would like, but it's not overly digital either.

Originally Posted by Brian81

Remember when everyone thought someone OTHER than Cameron was responsible for how bad T2's UHD looked?

[Jumpman]

Straight up, I don’t want Cameron touching Terminator. I hate the new sound mix on the BluRay but it still looks like The Terminator with that release. I can deal with the sound mix. Absolutely terrified what Cameron will do with his best film, even if he doesn’t agree.

[KulasDevorn]

I am reading that the streaming version of this is only available in HD for the Special Edition, not 4K. If that is the case, I sure as hell hope the disk has the 4k Special Edition. It said so in the specs, but specs can be wrong. If there is no SE in 4K, then I'll be pretty upset as I have been waiting for this for YEARS. The Special Edition is the ONLY version imo.

[XanderAE]

Has the Special Edition that is an iTunes extra still not upgraded yet? What about Aliens SE?

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by XanderAE

Has the Special Edition that is an iTunes extra still not upgraded yet? What about Aliens SE?

No and no and i don’t expect them to. On disc, yes.

[Steel76]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Straight up, I don’t want Cameron touching Terminator. I hate the new sound mix on the BluRay but it still looks like The Terminator with that release. I can deal with the sound mix. Absolutely terrified what Cameron will do with his best film, even if he doesn’t agree.

I got a custom Blu-Ray of T1, with the blu-ray transfer, color-corrected, back to it's original look, so no more teal. Including the original Mono mix, from the laserdisc.

It's insane, that we have to turn to custom fan versions, instead of the official releases, if we want something closer to the original versions.

Director's approved, doesn't mean anything anymore...

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

No, that's not it. While it's obvious some processing was used, I can clearly see that The Abyys looks much more natural than the rest, even Titanic. There's grain (fake or not, whatever), eyes or wrinkles aren't extremely sharpened and exaggerated by the upscaling / sharpening algorithm, I can't see actors' skin looking like they got it transplanted from Jabba the Hutt, and there's pretty pleasant softness to the image. It's not as film-like as I would like, but it's not overly digital either.

I must have a different version of The Abuse because it's clearly had the same treatment as the others. Maybe not as harshly applied as the rest, true, as overall I enjoyed it a lot, but it's still got the googly eyes syndrome and faces can look waxy as hell - unnaturally so, not soft and filmic - in one shot and razor sharp in another.

[HDMan72]

Originally Posted by Steel76

I got a custom Blu-Ray of T1, with the blu-ray transfer, color-corrected, back to it's original look, so no more teal. Including the original Mono mix, from the laserdisc.

It's insane, that we have to turn to custom fan versions, instead of the official releases, if we want something closer to the original versions.

Director's approved, doesn't mean anything anymore...

I have this also but not on disc. My go to.

[Mierzwiak]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I must have a different version of The Abuse because it's clearly had the same treatment as the others. Maybe not as harshly applied as the rest, true, as overall I enjoyed it a lot, but it's still got the googly eyes syndrome and faces can look waxy as hell - unnaturally so, not soft and filmic - in one shot and razor sharp in another.

I'm judging from the screenshots I saw, but if it's as you describe then

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

I'm judging from the screenshots I saw, but if it's as you describe then

Oh, I thought you'd watched it already.

[Mierzwiak]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Oh, I thought you'd watched it already.

It should be "Screenshots don't tell the whole story, it looks better in motion!"

[By_His_Strypes]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

The faces still don't look like faces of actual humans, they just aren't as bad as the others. The color reminds me of when I would come home and my roommate was sitting on the couch drooling with the needle hanging in his arm.

That's too much info...

[By_His_Strypes]

Why do some insist on comparing these transfers to T2? they are not comparable at all. As much as you might want to link Cameron to fudging T2 it's a failing endeavor. It's Christmas time the spirit is within you to spread joy and happiness.

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I must have a different version of The Abuse because it's clearly had the same treatment as the others. Maybe not as harshly applied as the rest, true, as overall I enjoyed it a lot, but it's still got the googly eyes syndrome and faces can look waxy as hell - unnaturally so, not soft and filmic - in one shot and razor sharp in another.

I don’t know, I’m just not seeing a True Lies issue going on here. The only scene that looks particularly waxy to me at home (and also did in theatres) is the scene after Lindsey sees the first NTI and is talking to Bud. That scene’s DNR (or AI or whatever it is) is applied too strongly for sure. No argument there. But weird, AI-esque eyes like in TL? Everything I see on that film looks horrible. Maybe the same tool has been employed here, but I simply would not put this one in remotely the same league as that. While it might not be perfect, it’s at least pleasing (as you say). There’s nothing pleasing about that TL transfer. I dunno, I guess YMMV.

[DAT_JB]

I seriously don't understand why Cameron didn't let the AI create a whole new movie.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

I don’t know, I’m just not seeing a True Lies issue going on here. The only scene that looks particularly waxy to me at home (and also did in theatres) is the scene after Lindsey sees the first NTI and is talking to Bud. That scene’s DNR (or AI or whatever it is) is applied too strongly for sure. No argument there. But weird, AI-esque eyes like in TL? Everything I see on that film looks horrible. Maybe the same tool has been employed here, but I simply would not put this one in remotely the same league as that. While it might not be perfect, it’s at least pleasing (as you say). There’s nothing pleasing about that TL transfer. I dunno, I guess YMMV.

I'll say it again: I rather enjoyed The Abuse's 4K transfer overall, with the clarification that it hits far more than it misses. But it's clearly had the exact same processes (as in: AI sharpening, degraining) applied as the others, just not as harshly, as said. But I can't unsee those eyeses, they're just so unnatural.

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

But I can't unsee those eyeses, they're just so unnatural.

Can you give me an example of a scene where you found the eyes particularly odd-looking? I’m legitimately just curious as to whether, given a specific instance, I’ll be able to see what you’re seeing.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

Can you give me an example of a scene where you found the eyes particularly odd-looking? I’m legitimately just curious as to whether, given a specific instance, I’ll be able to see what you’re seeing.

Throughout. Literally throughout the whole film.

[nick4Knight]

Originally Posted by DAT_JB

I seriously don't understand why Cameron didn't let the AI create a whole new movie.

That's coming. There's some real boomers in this community, regardless of age. Like a time capsule sometimes being on this forum. It's kind of adorable.

But you're gonna be so miserable in 10-15 years if you're complaining this much in 2023

[By_His_Strypes]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Throughout. Literally throughout the whole film.

This would be an example of not a legit complaint.