Back to the Future Trilogy 4K UHD (1985-1990)

[BlueberryWaffles]

Pretty disappointed by this announcement overall. The steelbooks are ugly, the cover art isn't great for any edition, and the new bonus features aren't much of a draw.

I've already upgraded this trilogy once (from the 2011 set to the 2015 "Complete Adventures" set) and since none of these include the animated series, I would either have to keep two box sets around or put the 4K discs in the slots of the 2015 set and see if I could sell off some of the extra BD discs. I'll wait and see for how big of an upgrade these turn out to be over the standard BDs, otherwise this might be a pass entirely.

[indiansbsa]

It might be extreme overkill but, as an attorney, for my part, I reached out to the General Counsel at NBC Universal to try and find the right party to hopefully address and rectify the slipcase packaging issue problem. I even mentioned the Bourne series as having individual cases, as the right way of doing things Back to the Future should take as well. With a little luck, maybe I can make a difference.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by BlueberryWaffles

Pretty disappointed by this announcement overall. The steelbooks are ugly, the cover art isn't great for any edition, and the new bonus features aren't much of a draw.

I've already upgraded this trilogy once (from the 2011 set to the 2015 "Complete Adventures" set) and since none of these include the animated series, I would either have to keep two box sets around or put the 4K discs in the slots of the 2015 set and see if I could sell off some of the extra BD discs. I'll wait and see for how big of an upgrade these turn out to be over the standard BDs, otherwise this might be a pass entirely.

Not to throw shade at anyone for their buying choices, but as soon as I heard the 2015 anniversary set didn't have new transfers and was just repacked discs with some added guff then I steered well clear.

[Jeyl]

I just want the films to look and sound good!

[Nosferatu31]

Originally Posted by Jeyl

I just want the films to look and sound good!

That's what the majority of us want. Artwork isn't important to me when watching these films.

[Bodhi Tenebrarum]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

People keep talking about or inferring "pilot error" when it comes to scratching these discs in these ghastly sleeves, but it's not really about the end user causing the problem: it's the people doing the manual labour of handling these discs and inserting them in the cases at the factory who are the ones who don't give a shit.

I try to avoid these sets like the plague but of the few I've had in recent years like the Spider-Man (Maguire) 4K set and the Fast and Furious 8 movie set there were scratches already present on several of the discs, bought brand new and factory sealed. They didn't personally cause me any playback problems but different players have different tolerances, so when other people say that they've had a litany of playback issues with sleeved discs then I've no reason to disbelieve them or automatically assume that they're treating the discs like crap.

I just think some are being a little dramatic, which, by reading these forums over the years, I know that's the name of the game here. If "ghastly" sleeve packaging caused the amount of damage to discs that some have alluded to, companies would be getting constant complaints and there would be constant recalls. I'm sure some have discovered a new disc with one tiny scratch, or a collectible item that's been marked up in one spot (happened to me with the Phantasm sphere. I sent it back and received a replacement promptly), but no, I don't think factory workers are just shoving discs into cardboard sleeves as if they're mad at the world or people are discovering their discs look as if Christian Slater from Gleaming the Cube has been skateboarding all over them.

Look, I get it. We're collectors and using cardboard sleeves is a little cheap. If you discover a scratch on a new disc, ask for a replacement. I just take issue with the dramatics about packaging, which seems to come up in every thread on this site now days.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu31

Just curious, would Universal have to pay Eric Stoltz if that footage was official released by them?

He already was paid at the time, doubt he would have any say.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by drush9999

He already was paid at the time, doubt he would have any say.

Bob Gale seems to have a lot of say, moreso than el-Spielbergo or Zemeckis.

[Nosferatu31]

Originally Posted by drush9999

He already was paid at the time, doubt he would have any say.

I have no interest in the footage but i'd be curious as to why it's never been released on any of the Blu-ray releases.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu31

I have no interest in the footage but i'd be curious as to why it's never been released on any of the Blu-ray releases.

Professional courtesy.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Professional courtesy.

Probably because it's embarrassing to all parties involved. He was totally wrong for the role of Marty (not on him because in other roles he's just fine).


There is the other issue that Gale and the rest of the filmmakers have perpetuated a myth that the film was only partially filmed with Eric as Marty and that they were totally on budget due to the recasting with Michael J. Fox and knew almost immediately that Eric was the wrong fit. If you look at all the footage that has leaked out over the years, it appears as if a HUGE chunk of the film was reshot; almost as if they had to shoot most of BTTF twice. That would have blown the financial budget.


It almost makes it seem like Crispin Glover was correct in saying that they are liars.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

It almost makes it seem like Crispin Glover was correct in saying that they are liars.

That's Hollyweird for you!

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Bodhi Tenebrarum

I just think some are being a little dramatic, which, by reading these forums over the years, I know that's the name of the game here. If "ghastly" sleeve packaging caused the amount of damage to discs that some have alluded to, companies would be getting constant complaints and there would be constant recalls. I'm sure some have discovered a new disc with one tiny scratch, or a collectible item that's been marked up in one spot (happened to me with the Phantasm sphere. I sent it back and received a replacement promptly), but no, I don't think factory workers are just shoving discs into cardboard sleeves as if they're mad at the world or people are discovering their discs look as if Christian Slater from Gleaming the Cube has been skateboarding all over them.

Look, I get it. We're collectors and using cardboard sleeves is a little cheap. If you discover a scratch on a new disc, ask for a replacement. I just take issue with the dramatics about packaging, which seems to come up in every thread on this site now days.

And yet you still signed up to this madly OCD forum. As a wise old man once said: Who's the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him? Still, with all the hyperbole you're laying on there then you're a perfect fit for this place!

I didn't say that factory workers were taking out all their frustrations on these poor defenceless discs, they're treating them like shit because they're not paid enough to do anything else, so they're shoving them into these sleeves without a care in the world and they're scratching them along the way.

To that end, no-one said that their discs ended up looking like they've been attacked with a cheese grater but that's one of the enduring myths about Blu-ray, that with the anti-stratch coating it's somehow invulnerable. That's a negatory, as because the data is so tightly packed (even more so on UHD) and so near to the playing surface then even what look like minor scratches can and do cause playback problems for some people. Yes, people can send back damaged ones but now you're shifting the goalposts (yep, you're definitely gonna fit in well around here), because if this packaging didn't do this to discs in the first place there's be no need to send anything back.

Obviously it's not a big enough issue for the likes of Universal to stop using this goofy packaging as clearly they can't get enough of it, but that doesn't mean people aren't having problems with it. If you don't then that's great and I mean that very very sincerely, but you'll just have to put up with the rest of the OCD types going on about it.

[The Edge]

Originally Posted by BlueberryWaffles

Pretty disappointed by this announcement overall. The steelbooks are ugly, the cover art isn't great for any edition, and the new bonus features aren't much of a draw.

I've already upgraded this trilogy once (from the 2011 set to the 2015 "Complete Adventures" set) and since none of these include the animated series, I would either have to keep two box sets around or put the 4K discs in the slots of the 2015 set and see if I could sell off some of the extra BD discs. I'll wait and see for how big of an upgrade these turn out to be over the standard BDs, otherwise this might be a pass entirely.

You do realize the 2015 “Complete Adventures” set contained the complete animated series, and that you could’ve ordered the animated series on its own, right?

EDIT: I’m so happy it’s in Dolby Vision, but I’m concerned about Universal putting ALL those extras on the 4K discs. Wouldn’t that mean less quality on the 4K transfers?

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by The Edge

You do realize the 2015 “Complete Adventures” set contained the complete animated series, and that you could’ve ordered the animated series on its own, right?

EDIT: I’m so happy it’s in Dolby Vision, but I’m concerned about Universal putting ALL those extras on the 4K discs. Wouldn’t that mean less quality on the 4K transfers?

Are they putting all the extras on the 4k discs? I thought that's what the extra supplemental Blu-ray included in the set was for.

[CouncilSpectre]

BTTF is one of those series where I'll happily snap up another edition if it in any way either improves on the previous releases or adds new materials (on-disc or physical).

Upgrading to 4K is an absolute no-brainer day one purchase for me.

Gimme gimme gimme!

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Upgrading to 4K is an absolute no-brainer day one purchase for me.

This. I skipped the 30th anniversary set due to the lack of remasters, but I'll be picking up the UHD trilogy fo sho.

I can't actually remember the last time I watched these in full and on Blu-ray. I'm so used to viewing them courtesy of ITV... complete with their usual censorship.

[ToEhrIsHuman]

Originally Posted by The Edge

EDIT: I’m so happy it’s in Dolby Vision, but I’m concerned about Universal putting ALL those extras on the 4K discs. Wouldn’t that mean less quality on the 4K transfers?

Depends on the size of the discs. If Universal uses 100GB discs it should not be an issue.

Also, I for one am very happy to hear of HDR10+ support on this release.

[Woolfy123]

Originally Posted by ToEhrIsHuman

Depends on the size of the discs. If Universal uses 100GB discs it should not be an issue.

Universal confirmed it on the official Back to the Future website that the 4K discs are, in fact, BD-100s (under "Technical Information 4K Ultra HD").

[Nosferatu31]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Are they putting all the extras on the 4k discs? I thought that's what the extra supplemental Blu-ray included in the set was for.

Not all the extras but there's going to be a good amount on each 4K and Blu-ray disc along with the bonus disc. Here's the breakdown for each disc.
https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=27170