The Matrix 4K UHD (1999)

[Mierzwiak]

There shouldn't be any HDR -> SDR conversion, SDR should be a separate grade. At least theoretically.

[OutOfBoose]

SDR conversion needs additional fine tuning - brightness, saturation, color balance, levels.

[ROSS.T.G.]

I’m no Thomas Magnum but I suspect this will be the biggest selling 4K catalogue title.

[pawel86ck]

Originally Posted by yetanotherone

Well, dark scenes do. It's the bright scenes that are problematic it seems.

These two bright screenshots are from "training" scene, so maybe it was color artist intention to make them look more "fake". It looks to me like there are 3 different color grading styles in these screenshots.

[lquevideo]

im still a newbie at this and get so utterly confused, and i think it's an issue as to the way all the technology is marketed.

i get 4k as a resolution thing, due to being a camera user/semi-professional i understand hdr within stops (as is you can see a defined taper of differentiation within segments of the image based on light), also i understand that color depth is 10bit/wider color space meaning more faithful representation of colors based on intensity and vibrancy. can someone correct me if i am wrong?
i understand that given much more latitude within the capturing process allows for a different play field when it comes to the technical aspect of creating the final product.
ehh, sorry for the word vomit. i really like geeking out on this new technology, but sometimes all the wording and stuff confuses me.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by nick4amber

On the colour debate, for my part.. I don't see it as an "all or nothing" proposition! Seems people relish claiming you want exactly the look of the old BD when you criticize the Bill Pope version of Matrix -- I don't wash with that nonsense. I am NOT advocating for a literal replica of the UMC's overdone blanket push of the first film.

With tools these days we could have seen a championing of subtlety. Now we get what is looking more and more like a harsh Cyan (I understand SDR conversion may be responsible, and let's face it I'm getting the UHD so I'll deal either way) for the first movie that will clash glaringly with later this years green grading for the sequels. As that clearly became the intended look. When a franchise (universe) has such a strong aesthetic that was refined between movies it's not revisionism to bring the one outlier back in line with the whole.

And this is kind of where I’m at with this situation after going back and forth between the two looks today. In the case of the BD master from 2004, it’s obvious why it was regraded. It is not the theatrical look but it is in line with the Wachowski’s thinking AFTER they finished those sequels. The UHD for the sequels shouldn’t be too far off from what we’ve watched on BD for a long while so, no matter what, based on this new remaster of the first, the look from First to the sequels is going to be all off.

And for some who did not care for the sequels, that’s perfectly fine and I get that.

The best I can say now is that I’m glad both looks are available for people to choose.

[Messana]

Originally Posted by yetanotherone

Actually, "Originally intended" and "more accurate than the original theatrical release" imply the look is not how it originally looked, but with something extra, that they couldn't achieve at the time.

Else, it should read "as originally presented" and "more accurate to the original theatrical release."

"More accurate to the original release" was obviously not their intent when producing the 2nd edition dvd, Blu, and this 4K release.

The most evident example is the government lobby set which was grey during filming, the trailers, and the 1st edition dvd (and assuming the theatrical release as well). In the dvd particularly, the lobby scene was one of the Matrix scenes was spared from the greenwash.

If they wanted the set green, they probably would have the budget for paint or technology to make it happen.

[infiniteCR]

I agree the BD shots look off.

[SynViks]

All the hoopla here reminds me of what Robert Harris said about WB's restoration of "Gone with the Wind":

"I've had several discussions over the years, probably the earliest with Turner's Dick May, who created the protection IP in the '80s, and they all center around what an audience recalls, and what a modern audience will accept. The bottom line is that while the color and density of an image can be gently pushed toward the original, it still must appeal to a modern audience. And what we're seeing in the Blu-ray of GWTW, as scanned and finalized at Warner's MPI via Ned Price, is not only a modern magnificent image in quality, but concurrently pays proper respect and tribute to Mr. Selznick and his team, who created the film. Mr. Price has access to all available color reference going back to 1939, has taken that information and molded it into something that I firmly believe David O. Selznick would not only recognize, but as a consummate showman, would approve for his audience of 2009."

Worth noting that, with newer UHD and Blu releases, the mentality seems to be shifting towards a grading that reflects the cinema experience (especially with UHD since it can more closely emulate a film's color than Blu ever could).

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by OutOfBoose

As long as the crew's black outfits look black enough - consider me happy.

But even without HDR they didn't need to elevate blacks so much. There would be no loss of shadow detail and the image would have more punch.

Would not be remotely shocked if the BDs intentionally look worse than they could.

[Khronikos]

Originally Posted by infiniteCR

I agree the BD shots look off.

Which is definitely why we need to take a look at the shot where the apparent UHD version is literally miles different than the BD. That lobby scene looks bathed in cold violet and blue light. That isn't how that scene ever came across to me. Of course it was not that green either, but the BD looks bad to me.

[Stefan1]

Ok people- the real question here.

Do I buy this or wait for the inevitable UHD trilogy set...
I love the first two Matrices, but I HATE revelations

....but won’t it feel weird not having the whole trilogy?

[Mierzwiak]

Originally Posted by Stefan1

I HATE revelations

Never heard of it.

[Khronikos]

Originally Posted by Stefan1

Ok people- the real question here.

Do I buy this or wait for the inevitable UHD trilogy set...
I love the first two Matrices, but I HATE revelations

....but won’t it feel weird not having the whole trilogy?

Honest to god, I am in only for the first one. The other two are just terrible films in general if you ask me.

[lquevideo]

yeah, just doing the uhd upgrade for the first one.
i only upgraded tdk for the batman trilogy and will wait to find the others real cheap.
same for reloaded and revolutions, if i ever see them cheap down the road i'll get them.

[JEArgumedo]

Originally Posted by Pieter V

New:


Old:

So I'm checking out the new encode on iTunes (it's not HDR yet) and I keep noticing that the highlights look really clipped. Of all the examples posted it's most noticeable in this shot. I'm hoping that the UHD HDR isn't like that. It just kinda looks off. Overall this is shaping up to be a great release but the SDR grade here seems to be way too bright and clipped from what I remember. Look at Agent Smith's and Morpheaus' foreheads, the detail looks like it's getting lost in those highlights.

[Khronikos]

The actual bluray shot of that building scene is not as blown out as that comparison makes it look apparently. Was on the resetera forum talking about this. That bluray to UHD comparison posted earlier is bunk. Down below the screenshot from the lobby on bluray.

But a lot of these other caps are terrible. I really hope the UHD looks better than this.

[Tone blare]

Is this really gonna be 29.99 on release day ? Hoping best buy has it cheaper.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by Tone blare

Is this really gonna be 29.99 on release day ? Hoping best buy has it cheaper.

Seems to be pretty standard for WB UHD.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Stefan1

Ok people- the real question here.

Do I buy this or wait for the inevitable UHD trilogy set...
I love the first two Matrices, but I HATE revelations

....but won’t it feel weird not having the whole trilogy?

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

Never heard of it.

Originally Posted by Khronikos

Honest to god, I am in only for the first one. The other two are just terrible films in general if you ask me.

I can't even imagine watching the first one without watching the sequels as well. For me, this is a trilogy, just the first movie alone won't work for me. Therefore I'm glad AF the sequels are coming in October!