Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) - Universal & Criterion releases

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Rats, just bought the Uni version last month! Oh well, won't mind having two blu's of a Terry Gilliam classic. Plus the extras that are on the Uni disc are not on the Criterion.

Hopefully these Uni films will get the Criterion treament in the future:

Brazil
Spartacus
Traffic
Two-Lane Blacktop

The Deleted Scenes are on both the Universal and the Criterion. So really, the only extra on the Universal that won't be on the Criterion is the 11-minute EPK, which isn't all that great, to begin with. You might wanna trade up when the Criterion comes out. I haven't bought the Universal, as I've been hoping Criterion would bring their fantastic F&L package to BD...but if I had bought the Universal, I'd be getting rid of it come April.

And I'm betting we'll see Brazil and Traffic before too long. Hopefully, with the others soon to follow.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

if I had bought the Universal, I'd be getting rid of it come April.

Just sold my copy the other day in anticipation of the Criterion edition.

[Scooby Blu]

Are they going to do a complete remaster for better sound and audio? I bought the Uni version day one. I'm a huge fan of this movie just want to make sure it will be worth the double dip.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Are they going to do a complete remaster for better sound and audio? I bought the Uni version day one. I'm a huge fan of this movie just want to make sure it will be worth the double dip.

It's Criterion who is very well known for amazing restorations of films, plus it should be loaded down with extras.

I can't wait for the review on this site, but I can pretty much guarantee that the Criterion will be much better.

They don't just crank the DNR and then add Edge Enhancement like some, they lovingly go through and remove specks and debris, and use the original source audio to remove any pops or distortion etc.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by frogmort

It's Criterion who is very well known for amazing restorations of films, plus it should be loaded down with extras.

I can't wait for the review on this site, but I can pretty much guarantee that the Criterion will be much better.

They don't just crank the DNR and then add Edge Enhancement like some, they lovingly go through and remove specks and debris, and use the original source audio to remove any pops or distortion etc.

Quoted for truth. I've never encountered a Criterion BD transfer yet that fell short of excellence. I wondered, as they started releasing BD editions, if there would be an adjustment period, as there was when they moved from Laser to DVD, where the early releases weren't so hot. But they began with excellence on the new format, and have maintained a remarkable consistency with their releases. Indeed, every Criterion review here at Blu-ray.com has a PQ rating of at least 4/5, with most garnering either a 4.5 or 5.

With Fear & Loathing being a favorite film of mine, and Criterion's DVD being the definitive SD package, this has jumped to the top of my "Most Anticipated" list, right along with Sony's Taxi Driver (April's gonna be one hell of a month). I have no doubt whatsoever that Criterion will give Fear & Loathing the transfer it deserves.

Glad I put off buying the Universal...just as I'm glad I never picked up Sony's Memento. Sometimes, it pays to trust your gut.