Starship Troopers 4K UHD (1997) (20th Anniversary Edition)

[bbwiscfan]

already doing a great job describing this disc so far. I was able to watch the film in its entirety last night, and I also had seen the old Blu-ray not too long ago so that was still fresh in my mind. I've had this movie on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray before, and I remember being in awe of it when it was first released. This film holds so many memories for me, but none more hilarious than when I actually saw it in the theater. Right after the scene where the

[Show spoiler]bugs wipe out Buenos Aires and it states "WAR"

the film went to black. Initially I thought the director purposely did that to further show the devastation, but in reality the theater projector just stopped working LOL. I was 12 and didn't know any better! I will never forget that moment. Once the film got going again, I had an amazing time and would proceed to watch this film so many times on home video. I remember thinking just how awesome the action was and how the special effects were just down right insanely well done, it was just something to behold.

Fast forward to today and we now have the UHD version, a 4K re-master done by Sony. Simply put, I don't think you can toss out the old Blu-ray quick enough. This is a true restoration by a studio that knows what its doing and it isn't messing around. The Blu-ray is dated, lifeless, dull, lacking in much punch when compared to this UHD (and the Blu-ray was pretty rock solid to begin with). The image is so vivid, bright and colorful, there is new life in this film again. Flesh tones are accurate and look spot on, the daytime scenes have a new brightness to them while the dark scenes (space and night-time planet sequences) have pitch black darks with wonderfully rendered special effects. The bugs have never looked better and you can tell Sony went to great lengths to make sure the special effects, which are 20 years old, didn't suffer in this restoration. Battle sequences with Roger Young in space, all those colors! The explosions, the intense fire and burning oranges, the HDR is really taking this to a whole other level. It was just insane as my eyes scanned all over for this goodness.

Detail is superb as well. Take a scene when the scientists are arguing about bug intelligence; check out the fabric on the female scientist's clothing and how wonderfully detailed and sharp it is. Or the brain bug; the slimy, disgusting creature is so vivid that it could literally turn your stomach just watching it. The violence is all that more graphic and vivid thanks to the resolution bump.

I have nothing more to say, the transfer is top-notch. Glorious in every aspect. Worth every single penny. I'm ecstatic and can't wait to watch this one again.

Sony, stand up and take a bow.

[madfloyd]

Originally Posted by bbwiscfan

I have nothing more to say, the transfer is top-notch. Glorious in every aspect. Worth every single penny. I'm ecstatic and can't wait to watch this one again.

Sony, stand up and take a bow.

Nice. +1

[Master100]

Originally Posted by trekky76

Was thinking if I should import this or wait for a possible local release. Then I realised it's a Disney title over here in northern Europe. Import it is.

Yeah its Disney outside of US I just placed the import order aswell, just 25€ with shipping to germany

[JJ]

Great. Reading the last two pages of this thread are REALLY making me want to run out and grab this. I've seen this movie twice, once at like, 12 and the other time at age 21 so maybe now that I'm 30 I'll appreciate it. I certainly love me some Robocop.

[AllOuttaBubbleGum]

So galling to hear of a quality re-master not worthy of porting to blu in SONY's eyes...especially when Close Encounters--which did get a new disk--is arguably not much of an upgrade (if at all).

I've been waiting for a new 'Troopers 1080p since Leon, The Fifth Element and Bram Stoker's Drac went MI4K; it was the next, obvious choice in catalog titles for a fresh scan and some spit and polish.

Doesn't bode well for physical media when all formats become niche. Here today, bypassed tomorrow.




..

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by bbwiscfan

This is a true restoration by a studio that knows what its doing and it isn't messing around.

Nice review but keep in mind it's not a restoration, but as you said in other notes a true, modern 4K transfer.

[LoSouL]

Originally Posted by AllOuttaBubbleGum

especially when Close Encounters--which did get a new disk--is arguably not much of an upgrade (if at all).

I was blown away by Close Encounters UHD too. I'm surprised that thread is such a lull.

[JustThatPenguin]

I am halfway through the movie now and I think the PQ is fantastic! Keep in mind this is a 20 year old movie. I am blown away by this release. I don't understand where all this criticism is coming from.

[StingingVelvet]

lulz @ The Digital Bits bashing the grain.

[Tony208]

Can hardly believe a 20 year old film could look this good.

[vincentric]

Just had a quick look and simply put, am with those who think that the PQ looks fantastic.

[bbwiscfan]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Nice review but keep in mind it's not a restoration, but as you said in other notes a true, modern 4K transfer.

Ack, you're right. Didn't catch that one.

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

lulz @ The Digital Bits bashing the grain.

Quite sad when even well known online publications are turning into grain haters. Between this forum and those 'official' opinions otherwise online, I'm about ready to seal myself in a padded room...

With a small home theater installed, of course, with a library of films LOADED WITH GRAIN.

[bbwiscfan]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

lulz @ The Digital Bits bashing the grain.

I have disagreed with his reviews before so nothing new; that B+ he gave to the video score made me chuckle.

[Laserdisk]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

lulz @ The Digital Bits bashing the grain.

He did love him some Patton.

[Geoff D]

Mine's turned up! Eeeeeeeek!!

[Patsfan123]

Man this does look great. Yes the grain is heavier than some other catalogs of similar vintage but it looks spectacular. Keep in mind the heaviest grain is in the beginning of the movie when there are mostly indoor shots. The outdoor shots don't feature the same level of grain.

The effects blended seemlessly into the image which was pretty impressive. The CGI was done right, as to not look too out of place.

I think the amount of grain explains why the old blu-rays looked so odd. They definitely scrubbed them a bit to keep it at bay. I am glad Sony left it alone for the 4K.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

lulz @ The Digital Bits bashing the grain.

Originally Posted by mzupeman

Quite sad when even well known online publications are turning into grain haters. Between this forum and those 'official' opinions otherwise online, I'm about ready to seal myself in a padded room...

With a small home theater installed, of course, with a library of films LOADED WITH GRAIN.

Give me a break guys. He isn't bashing the grain. He's just noting it's more noticable than on the Blu-ray.

This is a gritty, dirty science fiction war film. As such, there is moderate to strong grain at almost all times, with the exception of the visual effects footage – particularly the miniature work – which exhibits grain that’s a bit more tightly controlled. Despite this, overall image detail is quite nice and is improved over the previous Blu-ray version

[Vangeli]

You're gonna like that beautiful grain, I guarantee it™

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Give me a break guys. He isn't bashing the grain. He's just noting it's more noticable than on the Blu-ray.

He kinda is though, the "despite this" line is quite telling.

That said, I've come to the conclusion that some of those earlier 35mm Sony titles like GB I & II, Labyrinth and Crouching Tiger don't look right at all on my ZD9. With great HDR comes great HDR responsibility and my current Cinema Pro settings (which better match the ST 2084 brightness curve) are just too bright for those discs, it turns the grain into an ugly digital snowstorm of the stuff. If I reduce the contrast then the grain rapidly becomes much more manageable and beautifully natural-looking. And yet if I put in Fifth Elephant on the same 'bright' settings then all is well, the grain is very fine and the HDR highlights aren't dazzlingly bright, so I dunno if Sony have been reigning in the overbearing brightness of these earlier transfers or whether it's just that one movie.

I received CE3K along with ST today so those two will be the acid test, I guess. HDR, eh? What a palaver.