First Blood / Rambo: First Blood Part II / Rambo III 4K UHDs (1982-1988)

[handcraftedbits]

Originally Posted by Matt Murdock

Are these movies worth a blind buy? I'm going to get the first one on black friday, I'm not sure about the sequels.

Rambo III isn't very good in my opinion. The first two are great though.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by handcraftedbits

Rambo III isn't very good in my opinion. The first two are great though.

Rambo III has the best shotgun cocking line ever.

[indisposed]

I know not everyone likes the sequels, because they are so out of alignment with the original, but it's always baffled me as to why someone can love Part II, but hate III. You could say that's because of what ultimately happened with the Taliban (which inspite of what some people say, DID NOT EXIST when the film was made and released) and it isn't quite as tightly paced as the first two... but the epic scale of the battle scenes particularly at the end, has arguably never been topped. It's all done in camera and it's glorious. Yeah, it's overblown and almost cartoony, but then, so was the second film.

[springjack]

I´m confused about the framing for these movies.

What´s the most accurate? Lionsgate (old), StudioCanal (old) or StudioCanal (new)?

[indisposed]

Originally Posted by springjack

I´m confused about the framing for these movies.

What´s the most accurate? Lionsgate (old), StudioCanal (old) or StudioCanal (new)?

Whatever you do, don't go near the older Studio Canal releases! I can't stress that enough! It's not just that the framing is off... you end up seeing things you really shouldn't see like "barn doors" on the camera. In Rambo II for example, the scene where Rambo and Co get on the boat with the pirates, you can see ropes tied to left side of the boat where the camera crew would have been (Cosmatos' talks about it during the commentary track). It makes everything seem amateurish and sloppy and it really shouldn't be in the shot...

As for what is best out of the Lionsgate and new Studio Canal releases... I can't say for sure. I was always fine with the Lionsgate discs, although in terms of encode quality they have dated. The new ones seem like a good compromise between the old (Lionsgate) and not so old (2011 Studio Canal release), but when I eventually buy these new versions (and I will), I'll still keep my Lionsgate discs.

[cherbert]

Really impressed with First Blood picture quality. Watching on LG-C8 OLED in HDR.

I noticed the quality almost doubles after the last opening director credit. I have noticed this is in many old films. It's become more evident with these older titles in UHD. Does anyone have a good explanation?

I assume something to do with how optical effects/credits were filmed over the photography therefore reducing the quality of the original negative?

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by Matt Murdock

Are these movies worth a blind buy?

Yes.

[springjack]

Originally Posted by indisposed

Whatever you do, don't go near the older Studio Canal releases! I can't stress that enough! It's not just that the framing is off... you end up seeing things you really shouldn't see like "barn doors" on the camera. In Rambo II for example, the scene where Rambo and Co get on the boat with the pirates, you can see ropes tied to left side of the boat where the camera crew would have been (Cosmatos' talks about it during the commentary track). It makes everything seem amateurish and sloppy and it really shouldn't be in the shot...

As for what is best out of the Lionsgate and new Studio Canal releases... I can't say for sure. I was always fine with the Lionsgate discs, although in terms of encode quality they have dated. The new ones seem like a good compromise between the old (Lionsgate) and not so old (2011 Studio Canal release), but when I eventually buy these new versions (and I will), I'll still keep my Lionsgate discs.

Thanks.. I already have the older Studio Canal releases, bought them a few years ago.

Guess there´s no doubt I´m going to upgrade them!

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by cherbert

I noticed the quality almost doubles after the last opening director credit. I have noticed this is in many old films. It's become more evident with these older titles in UHD. Does anyone have a good explanation?

I assume something to do with how optical effects/credits were filmed over the photography therefore reducing the quality of the original negative?

You answered your own question.

[y2jman]

I should had said this sunday but I saw a sheet of paper over at Walmart in electronics with up coming movies this tues and I saw Rambo 1-3 be in stores I hope they will

i'm not sure if cheaper then 17.99 if my sorry Walmart doesn't get tomorrow i'll prob order amazon instead

[Brian81]

I always thought those early Studio Canal releases were much better than the early Lionsgate ones. Especially the first film.

[slinger45]

Anyone know if these will get added to itunes in 4k? Or is it one of those weird releases with studious owning different rights to physical/digital?

[brainofj72]

Watching First Blood right now. In terms of grain and fine detail, it’s beautiful. However, I have to stand by what I said about the early caps. I hate hate hate these colors. I’m not gonna make any claims about accuracy, but all I know is I have always loved the visuals in this movie, and now it looks ugly and strange. It really looks like a mild teal filter has been laid across the whole movie, which not only makes everything look weird and “off,” but it also screws up the blacks, making everything look flat and murky. Granted, things definitely looked worse in the SDR-converted caps, which looked overly bright and blown out, but yeah.

I don’t think I can go back to the BD, because the visual upgrade in every way but the colors is just huge. But it really feels like a “pick your poison” scenario.

I’m sure just about everyone will disagree with me, and that’s totally fine. Just my two cents.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

So....do the NEW UHDs have correct framing?? If not I'm just going to keep my LG discs.

[indisposed]

Originally Posted by brainofj72

Watching First Blood right now. In terms of grain and fine detail, it’s beautiful. However, I have to stand by what I said about the early caps. I hate hate hate these colors. I’m not gonna make any claims about accuracy, but all I know is I have always loved the visuals in this movie, and now it looks ugly and strange. It really looks like a mild teal filter has been laid across the whole movie, which not only makes everything look weird and “off,” but it also screws up the blacks, making everything look flat and murky. Granted, things definitely looked worse in the SDR-converted caps, which looked overly bright and blown out, but yeah.

I don’t think I can go back to the BD, because the visual upgrade in every way but the colors is just huge. But it really feels like a “pick your poison” scenario.

I’m sure just about everyone will disagree with me, and that’s totally fine. Just my two cents.

It does seem that way with the teal in the caps. There seemed like there was more shaddow detail in the Lionsgate disc, especially the cave scene.

[Noremac Mij]

Originally Posted by brainofj72

Watching First Blood right now. In terms of grain and fine detail, it’s beautiful. However, I have to stand by what I said about the early caps. I hate hate hate these colors. I’m not gonna make any claims about accuracy, but all I know is I have always loved the visuals in this movie, and now it looks ugly and strange. It really looks like a mild teal filter has been laid across the whole movie, which not only makes everything look weird and “off,” but it also screws up the blacks, making everything look flat and murky. Granted, things definitely looked worse in the SDR-converted caps, which looked overly bright and blown out, but yeah.

I don’t think I can go back to the BD, because the visual upgrade in every way but the colors is just huge. But it really feels like a “pick your poison” scenario.

I’m sure just about everyone will disagree with me, and that’s totally fine. Just my two cents.

Watching this movie for 30+ years on improper home video will have that effect. See if you can find a 35mm local showing of First Blood, I think you'll feel much better afterwards.

[brainofj72]

Originally Posted by Noremac Mij

Watching this movie for 30+ years on improper home video will have that effect. See if you can find a 35mm local showing of First Blood, I think you'll feel much better afterwards.

I specially said I’m not making any claims about accuracy.

[brainofj72]

Man, that gas station explosion looked awesome.

[reaperztoll]

All 3 arrive tomorrow, been loving the fact so many of my favorites have been getting the UHD treatment.

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by y2jman

I should had said this sunday but I saw a sheet of paper over at Walmart in electronics with up coming movies this tues and I saw Rambo 1-3 be in stores I hope they will

i'm not sure if cheaper then 17.99 if my sorry Walmart doesn't get tomorrow i'll prob order amazon instead

Walmart will be carrying them. What time they put them on the shelves is a whole different matter. First Blood, and Rambo 2 are showing $14.99 but, I imagine they will be $14.96. Rambo 3 is showing $17.99 but, I imagine that will also be $14.96. Target will be carrying all of them also, at the $14.99 price point. I'll be hitting up Target today for mine. I know well enough by experience, that my local Walmart won't have these out until noon or after.