Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Versions) - April 6, 2010

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by captveg

LOL, auto-pilot. They did not go on "auto-pilot" for LOTR. Please.

auto-pilot here having the meaning of lazy

[Drewza89]

I am glad that I didn't pre-order it. I will not be rewarding WB for their poor effort. Hopefully, they will get their act together and improve the picture quality on the Extended Editions.

[Blaumann]

Thanks to Ken for what appears to be an honest review. I am glad, the issues with the pq aren't being downplayed, even though many other reviewers seem to be blinded by the "Power of the Ring".

On a more positive note, at least TTT and RotK will look great for many fans (though not for all), including myself. I have decided, i will buy the set, even though FotR's pq is a major disappointment. I will however write a letter to Warner and complain about it.

Last comment on the screenshots: Obviously the screenshots could be trusted wrt FotR. However it seems, all the overly negative comments about TTT's pq were imo too subjective and did not properly represent the "level of damage" one would expect when watching the actual disc. Bottom line for me, screencaps remain a mixed bag and imo can't be trusted as the sole source of information regarding pq. The believers in "screenshot science" will disagree, of course.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by Blaumann

Thanks to Ken for what appears to be an honest review. I am glad, the issues with the pq aren't being downplayed, even though many other reviewers seem to be blinded by the "Power of the Ring".

On a more positive note, at least TTT and RotK will look great for many fans (though not for all), including myself. I have decided, i will buy the set, even though FotR's pq is a major disappointment. I will however write a letter to Warner and complain about it.

Last comment on the screenshots: Obviously the screenshots could be trusted wrt FotR. However it seems, all the overly negative comments about TTT's pq were imo too subjective and did not properly represent the "level of damage" one would expect when watching the actual disc. Bottom line for me, screencaps remain a mixed bag and imo can't be trusted as the sole source of information regarding pq. The believers in "screenshot science" will disagree, of course.

This has to be the most level-headed, intelligent, and sensible post on this thread in what seems like forever.

[tbizzle]

Bummer about the PQ, oh well. Will be plenty enjoyable til the EE's someday and will give my sound system a good workout!

[Witch King of Angmar]

IMO even gladiator looks better than FOTR.

[stace5000]

Finally a official blu-ray.com review that states my exact thoughts.. extreme disappointment, even more reason to void this release.

[TheE3Guy]

*Sigh* I wish Warner actually cared about their movies, the way companies like Disney do. At least when Disney makes us wait, it's all worth it in the end.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by Mike2060

Please give me an example of them being wrong before? You don't know what you are talking about.

Uhmm, the movie Contact? Hell was raised on AVS because they were full of DNR, apparently, and looked worse than the broadcast (where have I heard that before? ). Contact turned out to look fine.

Originally Posted by Diesel

You asked, I answered
It's not me saying it. Ken Brown and other reviewers are confirming it as DNR and not just filters and such.

Okay, then it's DNR. At least the reviewers have actually seen the disc, instead of overly relying on screenshots (which a lot in this thread seem to do). If it's as bad as Ken says in his review, one begs the question to why there were 5 different masters made before Jackson was satisfied. Maybe he watched it on a small monitor?
And of course there's the question of whether all of this is remotely visible on the average television with the average seating distance. But that's just something everyone has to decide for himself.

[nametag]

Originally Posted by TheE3Guy

*Sigh* I wish Warner actually cared about their movies, the way companies like Disney do. At least when Disney makes us wait, it's all worth it in the end.

They may not be Disney, but they have done some pretty stunning restorations in the past, more than many other studios when it comes to catalogue/classic re-releases. Shame about LOTR not being one of them though, given the outrage at it being the TEs the least they could do is give us a stunning video transfer... I wonder if they will ever look any better, if they will get remastered properly when the EEs get done...

[DangerousG]

Wow....could this possibly be the biggest fail in BD history so far?

[Indianabones]

Big Sigh, after so long a wait, my favourite films not getting the teatment they deserve...i thought for definate it would be 5 stars across the board..we can only hope that they get there act together for EE's..I'm waiting for them! Will be worth renting though to hear the HD Master!

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by DangerousG

Wow....could this possibly be the biggest fail in BD history so far?

YOU BET!

Given the enormous success and popularity of these, especially the first one, which I believe is the best one of the three. You're gonna have Warner defenders here who have rose colored glasses on.

[gaeljet]

Originally Posted by DangerousG

Wow....could this possibly be the biggest fail in BD history so far?

yes for sure!
(my item was just shipped out)

[QuasidodoJr]

Originally Posted by Maggot

YOU BET!

Given the enormous success and popularity of these, especially the first one, which I believe is the best one of the three. You're gonna have Warner defenders here who have rose colored glasses on.

Funny thing, is up to this point, just about every studio has majorly botched a huge release. Not to say this one is entirely botched, either, but you can't help but wonder.

Will Dreamworks do a great transfer for Saving Private Ryan? Or Fox for the Alien Quadrilogy? Only time will tell. But if any of them do turn out bad, I can guarantee you that some of the people on here will find a way to blame the root of all evil on Warner Bros.

[billzfan]

Peter Jackson was thrilled with the bluray transfers. Maybe this is his vision and some don't like it.

[Grand Bob]

Disappointing? Yes.
Options:
1. Don't buy the set and "boycott" Warner because of their insensitivity over their shoddy release of three of the greatest movies of all time.
Result: the people who are A/V hobbyists are such a small fraction of the buying public (less than 1%?), that the financial impact to them is approximately zilch compared to the millions that will be sold. It would be more of a symbolic protest.

2. Buy (or rent) the set and enjoy what is still the best available presentation of the classic.

As I have stated earlier, I imagine that practically every Warner and New Line executive and their relatives, as well as the thousands involved in the production of this movie (and Peter Jackson) will eventually watch this fiasco. Won't they have some kind of reaction?

I, of course will choose option 2, because it is my favorite story. Will I be wishing it had a better transfer: yes. Do I hope that Warner admits to the magnitude of their folly and issues a properly remastered edition: yes. Will I still enjoy this release: yes.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

Disappointing? Yes.
Options:
1. Don't buy the set and "boycott" Warner because of their insensitivity over their shoddy release of three of the greatest movies of all time.
Result: the people who are A/V hobbyists are such a small fraction of the buying public (less than 1%?), that the financial impact to them is approximately zilch compared to the millions that will be sold. It would be more of a symbolic protest.

2. Buy (or rent) the set and enjoy what is still the best available presentation of the classic.

As I have stated earlier, I imagine that practically every Warner and New Line executive and their relatives, as well as the thousands involved in the production of this movie (and Peter Jackson) will eventually watch this fiasco. Won't they have some kind of reaction?

I, of course will choose option 2, because it is my favorite story. Will I be wishing it had a better transfer: yes. Do I hope that Warner admits to the magnitude of their folly and issues a properly remastered edition: yes. Will I still enjoy this release: yes.

At least I know I can sit back and really enjoy the AQ to these movies, despite the soft PQ in FOTR...although TTT and ROTK do look better from the screenshots and screencaps IMO.

[gaeljet]

jackson thrilled, well doesn t he wear glasses?lol
getting out..

[romac]

I was leaning toward waiting for the extended editions anyway, as I've never seen them. But, after reading the review here I definitely won't be getting them this go 'round. Do I think I'm making a point? Hell no, but I just really wanted this release to be mind blowing. I love LOTR, but I'm far from a fanboy. I've watched my dvd's maybe twice each in the years I've had them, so I'm not exactly chomping at the bit to watch them again. Regardless, it's frustrating and disappointing that they aren't top notch releases.