The Usual Suspects - worth the upgrade?

[nightcrawler]

I did a search and (surprisingly) couldn't find a thread for this in the UK forum. I know this has been out for a few years now on Blu and got mixed reviews for it's PQ - is it worth the upgrade over the dvd version though? It's going pretty cheap now on most sites.

[chip75]

Looks like a decent upgrade.

[Villiam Hayes]

I watched it a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the P/Q

[Alex_DeLarge]

Yes. I've got it and it's well worth the upgrade.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Obviously I'm going to get the blu-ray eventually but sheesh... talk about a lousy upgrade. Sure, it looks better. But it's not impressive by any stretch of the imagination. I'll wait for a re-release with actual special features.

[KRW1]

Oddly, I seem to recall The Usual Suspects was also poorly treated on DVD. For a long while, the only option was a 4:3 version with stereo sound and no features other than chapter select.

On VHS, on the other hand, you could buy the widescreen version, with surround encoded stereo sound for prologic recievers which came with another tape of the film which had the directors commentary. There was also a 'making of' feature and a trailer. Great effort for what was dead technology.

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by nightcrawler

I did a search and (surprisingly) couldn't find a thread for this in the UK forum. I know this has been out for a few years now on Blu and got mixed reviews for it's PQ - is it worth the upgrade over the dvd version though? It's going pretty cheap now on most sites.

not meaning to be critical but it always amazes me when people put is this or that film worth an upgrade from the DVD

[mattyl149]

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

not meaning to be critical but it always amazes me when people put is this or that film worth an upgrade from the DVD

It is subjective, as some people can be more critical of the AV quality, and if it's not near reference, won't bother with it. Whereas some people are happy if just looks better than the DVD

[DaveF.]

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

not meaning to be critical but it always amazes me when people put is this or that film worth an upgrade from the DVD

I've just joined to ask precisely the same question as the OP. So I was a bit surprised to see this weird, but intriguing comment. Why wouldn't he/we want to ask?

Unlike someone who has, say, over 900 blu-ray discs in their collection I'll be watching this film repeatedly. As I want my money to go as far as possible, I want to know what bang I'm getting for my buck. As we all know, some (many?) of the older (& some not so old) transfers have been pretty poor & as there's not much data in the UK review, how better to find out than in this forum?

I'll be purchasing this as it's just come back on Amazon UK in their 3 for £17 promotion.

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by DaveF.

I've just joined to ask precisely the same question as the OP. So I was a bit surprised to see this weird, but intriguing comment. Why wouldn't he/we want to ask?

Unlike someone who has, say, over 900 blu-ray discs in their collection I'll be watching this film repeatedly. As I want my money to go as far as possible, I want to know what bang I'm getting for my buck. As we all know, some (many?) of the older (& some not so old) transfers have been pretty poor & as there's not much data in the UK review, how better to find out than in this forum?

I'll be purchasing this as it's just come back on Amazon UK in their 3 for £17 promotion.

Why is my opinion weird? I guess my point is more technical, blu ray is a lot better than DVD...and as there is no other version out in the UK...thats what i was getting at. You do get some odd opinions such as why upgrade to blu ray for B&W films

[DaveF.]

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

blu ray is a lot better than DVD

Not across the board it's not. It depends on the movie's source & how it was was converted.

There is/are DVD version which the OP was asking for a comparison with.

You do get some odd opinions such as why upgrade to blu ray for B&W films

If you're asking that question then I have to ask, have not you've seen psycho?

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by DaveF.

Not across the board it's not. It depends on the movie's source & how it was was converted.

There is/are DVD version which the OP was asking for a comparison with.



If you're asking that question then I have to ask, have not you've seen psycho?

I am not going to get into a huge debate but I have to disagree, by its very nature and the number of pixels, blu ray is better than dvd...the source or transfer only comes into it if they have made a complete hash of it...I dont recall any reviewer saying stick to the dvd. If however you are going from one HD transfer of a film to a newer HD transfer (e.g Patton, Gangs Of New York, Predator etc) then thats a different discussion

As for the B&W question I think you have missed what I was saying, I have many B&W blu rays (including Psycho) and they are a massive step up from previous formats...I was making the point that some people believe B&W films do not benefit from an HD transfer

[Geoff D]

The BD didn't blow my skirt up, although it's been about three TVs since I've watched it. The DVD is excellent for plain old SD, though. Might have to buy the BD again if I can find it for buttons.