The Matrix 4K UHD (1999)

[JohnCarpenterLives]

I still just hope it's blue.

[LoSouL]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

I still just hope it's blue.

He Looks Glorious! - YouTube

[captainsolo]

If it’s at all like the IB Tech 1999 print I saw three years ago it will be a stunner and unlike all home versions-even the old 1999 Master isn’t quite the same.

[OutOfBoose]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

If it’s at all like the IB Tech 1999 print I saw three years ago it will be a stunner and unlike all home versions-even the old 1999 Master isn’t quite the same.

I don't know what IB Tech is, but it sounds To be honest, we more or less know how The Matrix should look. Closer to the BD, but nothing like the old DVD master.

[Geoff D]

It's shorthand for a Technicolor Dye Transfer print, their imbibition technology ('IB Tech') for 35mm prints built up the colour layer by layer to result in a rich saturation that still holds up decades later because they didn't use organic dyes, and so are much more resistant to fading.

[captainsolo]

Yeah it was a shocker to see it. Dye transfer was resurrected for about three years into the 2000's with the big release being all Apocalypse Now Redux prints being imbition. Unfortunately no one really did a major push to pay Technicolor to make more and so they canceled the idea.

The theater kindly let me look at the cans Warner sent and I was taken aback to see the IB edge codings on the film itself.

[Xenonas]

What are the chances of The Matrix 4K BD having the theatrical colors and not being a green/blue mess?

[OutOfBoose]

Originally Posted by Xenonas

What are the chances of The Matrix 4K BD having the theatrical colors and not being a green/blue mess?

Green was always there. Maybe it will look less aggressive and blank, unlike the blu. 35mm print:





The second one looks faded (or poorly captured). Because now way The Matrix was this colorless.

[ilovewaterslides]

Originally Posted by OutOfBoose

The second one looks faded (or poorly captured). Because now way The Matrix was this colorless.

No worries, this is clearly a frame from a trailer. The full length movie was presented anamorphically on the release prints.

[Jlouisbarrett]

So are those frames from the trailer being used as an original color reference? Aren’t trailers sometimes color timed differently from the theatrical release anyway?

[OutOfBoose]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

So are those frames from the trailer being used as an original color reference? Aren’t trailers sometimes color timed differently from the theatrical release anyway?

The first shot is allegedly from an actual theatrical print. It shows green that resembles blu-ray colors. On the other hand, other screens from 35mm prints show that there's less blank green and some scenes don't have green at all, unlike the blu. My memory of the theatrical experience faded, it was almost 20 years ago after all. I just remember that I was surprised by DVD and later blu-ray colors, because the actual film didn't look as blank green or brown. At least that was my impression.

The second one is likely from a theatrical trailer (upside down), like mentioned above, but it still doesn't look like trailer colors. The trailer had neutral palette and looked ungraded (from the collection blu, also available on youtube).

[Mr Anderson]

It'll be weird if the UHD of this is less like the current Blu, because then the Blu will be green, and the UHD less so. They'll look different, and to the uninformed, they may think that one of the discs is messed up.

[OutOfBoose]

My personal expectation - it will look close to the current blu colors-wise. Better resolved, but close.

Did WB release any UHDs with Dolby Vision? Chances are this one will have it...

[Geoff D]

I'm expecting it to be in-between, not as gaudily greeny (to the detriment of skin tones) and high-contrast as the Blu-ray, not as dull and brown as the DVD.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

Aren’t trailers sometimes color timed differently from the theatrical release anyway?

They are (they're usually not finalized rather than different). For example O Brother, Where Art Thou's trailer wasn't digitally colour timed at all. So the trailer had the "greener than Ireland" look and the DI was the first feature to be digitally colour corrected, giving that dusty burnt grass look.

[OutOfBoose]

This scene looks really different on 35mm print. Far cry from both DVD and blu:



As well as this one:



They don't have any green tint. And if they're more or less accurate representations, no wonder I felt puzzled by the home releases.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by OutOfBoose

This scene looks really different on 35mm print. Far cry from both DVD and blu:

They don't have any green tint. And if they're more or less accurate representations, no wonder I felt puzzled by the home releases.

Theatrical prints aren't supposed to look like home video versions! Two different mediums.
They do not use them for transfers.

[OutOfBoose]

Color grading should represent artistic intent regardless of medium.

[GohanX]

Only the original DVD and laserdisc releases have the original color grading. Subsequent releases were regraded and had more green to match the sequels. If you remember it looking different in the theater your are correct.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

Aren’t trailers sometimes color timed differently from the theatrical release anyway?

In some cases, but that's all since the advent of digital DIs. The original Matrix was finished photochemically before digital grading was commonplace (although the blu-ray was put through a DI grade to make it green).

Originally Posted by chip75

They are (they're usually not finalized rather than different). For example O Brother, Where Art Thou's trailer wasn't digitally colour timed at all. So the trailer had the "greener than Ireland" look and the DI was the first feature to be digitally colour corrected, giving that dusty burnt grass look.

And O Brother was an exception, being the first. Although, all the original trailers I've seen of it had the film's color timing.