The Delta Force (1986) - Scorpion

[dylrichard02]

Political extremists have taken innocent people hostage ... and only super-soldiers Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin can rescue them. Co-starring Martin Balsam and Shelley Winters, The Delta Force is 130 non-stop minutes of explosive, wall-to-wall action!

When a U.S. passenger plane is seized by vicious hijackers and taken to Beirut, the President calls in the Delta Force, a crack team of commandos led by Colonel Nick Alexander (Marvin) and Major Scott McCoy (Norris). Against all odds, the men blast into the compound and - taking no prisoners - rescue the hostages. But the mission is not yet over. A few remaining passengers are being "escorted" to Tehran, initiating a desperate race against time as Alexander and McCoy try to save them - and avenge America's honor - before it's too late.

Starring Chuck Norris, Lee Marvin, Martin Balsam, Shelley Winters, Robert Forster

Special Features: New 2K scan from the interpositive, Archival interviews with Robert Forster and Alain Jakubowicz, New interview with screenwriter James Bruner, Theatrical Trailer

Scorpion Releasing // 1986 // 129 Minutes // Rated R // Color // English // Region A

caps

Review

Amazon

[stevezissou]

This is also streaming on amazon prime for free right now

[Markgway]

Hmm. The new framing is better, but otherwise I'm not convinced this is an improvement. The MGM/Arrow image is obviously dated, but Scorpion's image now looks soft https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...&l=1&i=15&go=1 and suffers from black crush https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...&l=1&i=10&go=1.

[Burt Lancaster]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Hmm. The new framing is better, but otherwise I'm not convinced this is an improvement. The MGM/Arrow image is obviously dated, but Scorpion's image now looks soft https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...&l=1&i=15&go=1 and suffers from black crush https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...&l=1&i=10&go=1.

Horrible crushing there. I'd guess the MGM/Arrow is from an old OCN scan, since it's sharper. Scorpion is a new IP scan that has better framing, doesn't have that "dated scan" appearance, but less sharp, with crushing. Double-edge sword.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Hmm. The new framing is better, but otherwise I'm not convinced this is an improvement. The MGM/Arrow image is obviously dated, but Scorpion's image now looks soft https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...&l=1&i=15&go=1 and suffers from black crush https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...&l=1&i=10&go=1.

Originally Posted by Burt Lancaster

Horrible crushing there. I'd guess the MGM/Arrow is from an old OCN scan, since it's sharper. Scorpion is a new IP scan that has better framing, doesn't have that "dated scan" appearance, but less sharp, with crushing. Double-edge sword.

I think this is one you'd have to see in motion. Unfortunately I think i dumped my old disc. Sometimes those "dated scan" artifacts really destroy the integrity of the picture in motion, and thats something that can't be captured in screencaps.

[Burt Lancaster]

Originally Posted by Ruined

I think this is one you'd have to see in motion. Unfortunately I think i dumped my old disc. Sometimes those "dated scan" artifacts really destroy the integrity of the picture in motion, and thats something that can't be captured in screencaps.

Interesting point.

[jmilo61]

Originally Posted by Ruined

I think this is one you'd have to see in motion. Unfortunately I think i dumped my old disc. Sometimes those "dated scan" artifacts really destroy the integrity of the picture in motion, and thats something that can't be captured in screencaps.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to say for sure, but the old restoration may only appear crisper because it has digital sharpening applied to it. It doesn't really appear to have more fine detail anywhere. But there's others who comment on this forum who are better at spotting such things than me.

Also while the night time shot of the boat is definitely losing some detail in the darkest parts of that frame, it appears to be specific to that shot, an intentional choice in the new grading, and not a problem that's present throughout the disc. Other screenshots have dark parts that show more detail in the Scorpion version. Like here for example.

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?a=1&x...4&l=1&i=2&go=1

I'm certainly no expert on image quality, but I'd guess the Scorpion image is the superior of the two.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

At first glance I didn't know which one I preferred but after closer examination I prefer the Scorpion release. The sharpening is really apparent on the MGM going back and forth with the comparisons. I agree that there's not much finer detail overall without the sharpening on the MGM. I also prefer the framing, colors and fresher appearance on the Scorpion. Went ahead and ordered it.