Gladiator (2000)

[carpaltonnel]

Originally Posted by TheSoviet

The extended really could be from a better master that they are saving for the double-dip crowd. Which is TOTALLY LAME considering this "Sapphire Series" is supposed to be top notch PQ/AQ.

I'll buy that one too though. I still have Let the Right One In with bad subs.

Good movies are worth it.

I'm in for Braveheart, as far as Let the Right One In-I didn't see a problem with the subs at all...(until someone complained) then brainwashed.

[SleeperAgent]

Let's all just hope they offer a mail-in program for those of us still buying this version to trade for the inevitable re-release.

[DavidAg02]

Any news on pricing yet?

No need to wait on Amazon since I will only be getting Braveheart.

[Jumpman]

I'm willing to bet that Gladiator looks better than what's being reported. The reason I'm more curious now was after watching Braveheart last night on Blu-Ray. Screenshots really aren't indicative of what you'll actually be witnessing.

DVDbeaver's screenshots of Braveheart looked great, fantastic. And yet, watching last night on my setup, it looked even better than the screenshots.

Not saying the problems with Gladiator are not represented in the screenshots accurately, but I'm going to be that its a bit sharper, more vivid than the screenshots we've all looked at for the past week.

[Jimbo976]

As stated many times by me and others....

The best test is your own eyes in your own house. Everyone who is at least remotely interested in this release should at least rent it to see for themselves.

[Jumpman]

Jimbo,

For me, as long as its an improvement over the DVD, I have to have Gladiator. It's just one of those films I have to have in my collection.

I don't condone what Universal did but mistakes do happen. It doesn't ruin my enjoyment of the film, even with its problems.

If Universal fixes this problem, I'll gladly buy it again. But as it stands, this version is at least a somewhat better improvement over the DVD, and for right now, that's enough.

I just like Gladiator that much to make this purchase.

[Jimbo976]

Well I don't own the DVD (never have) and this is surely the best version out there (and I'm getting it cheap) so there isn't much question.

Once I see it I could potentially sell it if it is not enjoyable to watch but we'll see how it goes.

[Jumpman]

Jimbo,

I put in the Gladiator Extended Edition DVD in yesterday for the first time in, I think, two years and I have to say, I wasn't as impressed now as I was when I originally got it.

I don't remember the original release at all. I had it but once that Extended Edition hit, I gladly got rid of it.

Even with that, the DVD is not stellar. Some parts are but no matter what this Blu-Ray looks like, it'll be an improvement over the DVD.

Also, it just comes to screen size and viewing distance. I have a 42' Samsung LCD and I sit about 9 and a half feet away. More than likely, I won't see the problems from my couch. I'll have to be up on it to see them. And, I don't see myself getting a bigger TV in the next four years so, this purchase is really a no brainer....especially at Best Buy when you can get both for 36 dollars. That's a steal.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

As stated many times by me and others....

The best test is your own eyes in your own house. Everyone who is at least remotely interested in this release should at least rent it to see for themselves.

I don't think people are saying not to rent it first and watch it. I think most people are just cautioning against buying it. Unless you just don't really care so much about the PQ (which I am sure the Blu-Ray is still an improvement over the DVD, but just may not be enough to warrant the price and for hopes of a better version getting released down the road) and want the upgrade for AQ/extras.

[Jumpman]

ack bak,

See, I do care but sometimes, you gotta go with what we got. I mean, based on screenshots and the comments at the time, you'd think The Dark Knight was one of the worst transfers on Blu-Ray and that wasn't the case.

Some minor problems? Sure, but not enough to not have that masterpiece apart of the library. It looks great.

This is why I don't envy George Lucas when the Star Wars films hit Blu-Ray. That is going to be some massive, cross forums argument if GL even slight gets something wrong, even if he were to release the set with the theatrical cuts of all six films included. He won't win regardless and I think we're inching close to that point where you can't satisfy anyone.

[robertc88]

Grant it that if you have to pay for the rental, it will only add to the cost of buying the title if you like it. If you are going to get Braveheart anyway, then Gladiator costs $13 or so more and no rental cost (if applicable). You'll have to be the judge.

BTW, I think I know what I'm talking about above but I'm renting it through netflix (no additional cost) and buying it along with Braveheart at Best Buy tomorrow to make sure I get the deal even without watching it first and then afterwards I'll make the decision to keep it or not. But really I don't know why the heck I'm doing this after all with this one BD that seems to be getting more attention than most things that really should.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

ack bak,

See, I do care but sometimes, you gotta go with what we got. I mean, based on screenshots and the comments at the time, you'd think The Dark Knight was one of the worst transfers on Blu-Ray and that wasn't the case.

Some minor problems? Sure, but not enough to not have that masterpiece apart of the library. It looks great.

This is why I don't envy George Lucas when the Star Wars films hit Blu-Ray. That is going to be some massive, cross forums argument if GL even slight gets something wrong, even if he were to release the set with the theatrical cuts of all six films included. He won't win regardless and I think we're inching close to that point where you can't satisfy anyone.

It is an individual decision. I personally own a number of "flawed" Blu-Ray's but I will admit that I am not as sensitive to DNR and EE as some folks are (and I do watch my BD's on a 100" screen from about 12ft away).

That said, it is still very frustrating. We know the potential for some of these catalog titles on Blu-Ray. Just look at Braveheart. I would rather the studio wait a few years and remaster Gladiator than have them release it now on a flawed master with additional filtering. I personally, just do not want to reward the studio for this type of shoddy transfer with my money. I am hoping that Bill Hunt and others can get the studio to listen and respond. If it looks like no remaster is in the works, then I will just have to decide if I want to keep renting this title when I want to watch it on Blu-Ray, or if I will suck it up and buy it. Perhaps used....

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

I don't think people are saying not to rent it first and watch it. I think most people are just cautioning against buying it. Unless you just don't really care so much about the PQ (which I am sure the Blu-Ray is still an improvement over the DVD, but just may not be enough to warrant the price and for hopes of a better version getting released down the road) and want the upgrade for AQ/extras.

I understand that but I read so many posts like "Well that's it - I just cancelled my order and will wait for the re-release or will watch my DVD".

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

I understand that but I read so many posts like "Well that's it - I just cancelled my order and will wait for the re-release or will watch my DVD".

Yeah, I think if you are a fan of the movie, you owe it to yourself to at least give the Blu-Ray a rental. Unless Bill Hunt or others get confirmation of a re-release, but I am not holding my breath...

[Jumpman]

ack bak,

I agree with your above post, and I to, am not that sensitive to DNR or EE...and my screen is a lot smaller than yours but I do know what I'm looking for.

But, you know, it all goes back to the film and this question...do I enjoy the film enough to look over the problems? And most times, yes.

Prime example is the Blu-Ray of American Psycho. Not good at all but I enjoy watching it every time I put it on because of the film itself and not so much of how bad the transfer is.

But I agree, the potential on catalog titles is immense. Some times, they get it perfectly right (Braveheart and the Searchers come time mind.) Some times, they get it pretty wrong.

[J.Cornelius]

That is the problem this is supposed to be their TOP OF THE LINE product, the Rolex of Blu ray, instead we get the shaft and end up with a Timex. It will tell the time but just not as good to look at……

[Philnerd]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

See, I do care but sometimes, you gotta go with what we got.

Not necessarly targeting you Jumpman, but you got me thinking. What was all the goings on about during the format war about better bandwidth and capacity compared to HD DVD if we've now arrived at "go with what we got"? Earlier in the thread Penton tells us to buy smaller TVs, sit further back or get a new hobby. And several people in this thread seem giddy at the fact that this will sell well on Blu-Ray despite being a flawed transfer.

At what point did 50GB of storage and massive bandwidth take a back seat to the color of the case?? Is there a good reason *not* to complain to studios about poor transfers? Is there a good reason *not* to acknowledge when that's the case? It really seems like a studio can slap just about any transfer onto Blu-Ray and there will be insiders here proclaiming how great it is to get something that's an upgrade over Blu-Ray. Or a bunch of users that refuse to see any flaws. Or a bunch of users that just go "good enough". Geez we could make the same arguments for HULU HD streaming.

I totally understand the people in the thread that accept the flaws in this transfer and will live with it and still enjoy it. I bet a lot of them will actually take the time to drop a complaint at Paramount and claim their remasterd version when/if it becomes available. But the people that either (a) deny there are issues altogether or (b) think we should just settle for half-baked studio efforts on Blu-Ray.... I don't get that.

[Jumpman]

Phil,

Not saying you're wrong in your assessment. Actually, you're pretty on the money. But, some times, these things happen. I think the difference between now and probably a decade ago is that the information to find out what really happened on a bad transfer is easily found because of the amount of people who have inside knowledge in the industry.

We can found out the facts. But, sometimes the criticism goes on a bit much. Considering who works on these transfers, nobody's perfect. This could, could be a simple case of just screwing the pooch.

We expect perfect and sometimes perfect can not be achieved. With Gladiator, there are no excuses, IF, there is indeed a new transfer laying around somewhere.

But, again, I go back to the question I raised, is it about the film itself and how you feel about that film and what enjoyment you get out of it or is it about getting it perfect?

Again, this is why I wouldn't want to be in the position of George Lucas when those Blu-Rays of Star Wars eventually come out.

[Stlsports]

So is this site gonna review this and Braveheart or not. Seems like for big titles like this they would have them reviewd by now.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by Stlsports

So is this site gonna review this and Braveheart or not. Seems like for big titles like this they would have them reviewd by now.

You may not have read it in this massive thread, but review screeners were not sent out by the studio. So if Blu-Ray.com and other sites do review it, it will be because one of the reviewers bought a copy and did the review (and I suspect that the screeners sent out by the studios get priority vs titles bought by the reviewer).