It's a Wonderful Life (1946) (Platinum Anniversary Edition)

[mar3o]

Figures - I finally just got around to buying the bluray last year.

I'd buy it again though if it was a good set with an imrovement in image quality, not that the current version is bad. I get the feeling that this next release probably won't include the colorized version, which is too bad. Before I get mercilessly attacked for saying that, let me assure everyone that I vastly prefer the original black and white version. But I do appreciate the color version for two reasons:

- There are, sadly, especially with the younger generation, many that have a hard time with black-and-white films. They seem to have this feeling that black-and-white automatically means old and boring, and that means they miss out on some great content due to a silly misconception. While I don't suggest that everything black-and-white should get a conversion just to satisfy today's generation, it is nice to see a classic film like this offer the option to view it in color, simply if it means making it more approachable for first-time viewers.

- I do on occasion like to throw the color version on just for a change. They actually did a very nice conversion for this film. It lacks some of the contrast of the black-and-white version, but on it's own, it has a very vintage feel to the color that looks appropriate. Skin tones aren't perfect by any means, but it does give off a vintage feel, like watching an old Christmas card from that time period, only in motion. It's definitely a different experience watching it in color, and sometimes it's nice to have the option of mixing things up. Watching the color version doesn't make the original version disappear.

I know a lot of people hate on colorizations and conversions. There was a lot of hate about the Wizard of Oz 3D conversion before it was released. But most people that have seen it will tell you they did an amazing and tasteful job with the conversion. As long as the original version is always included with the conversions/colorizations, I have no problem with them. It's only when somebody pulls a George Lucas and takes the original away that people have a real problem.