Titanic 4K UHD (1997)

[blakninja]

Who knew who Ceiline Dion was before Titanic?

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by blakninja

Who knew who Ceiline Dion was before Titanic?

Honestly lol

She had hit duets with Beauty and the Beast / Sleepless in Seattle / Up Close and Personal

Plus many hit albums, plus that insane rendition of Jim Steinman’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now

[disco1979]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Honestly lol

She had hit duets with Beauty and the Beast / Sleepless in Seattle / Up Close and Personal

Plus many hit albums, plus that insane rendition of Jim Steinman’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now

All this, and she had won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Falling into You before Titanic came out.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by blakninja

Who knew who Ceiline Dion was before Titanic?

She was an international megastar on her own, before the film ever came out. Her music was inescapable in mid-1996, when Falling Into You came out and when Titanic hadn't even started filming yet. Her videos were on MTV, her songs played in restaurants and stores and her posters were in every record store window. Her 1996-1997 world tour for the album sold out stadiums, before the film had come out:

[EvantheKidDS]

Why is the aspect ratio of the 4K reported to be 2.35:1 instead of 2.39:1?
(I get that it's a small difference, but I own it on iTunes and it looked like the latter)

[I-C-Blue]

Originally Posted by samlop10

You shouldn’t try to sharpen the image at all in the first place. Removing damage? Of course. Restoring the colors? Yes. Fixing other errors? Sure. Removing the grain? No, sharpening the image? Absolutely not.

The whole point some of us are trying to make is that Cameron and team went beyond just restoring damage and fixing errors. They shouldn’t have tried to artificially sharpen it, trying to add detail that was never there, which means they wouldn’t have needed to remove the grain in the first place.

There’s been plenty of older and newer films than Titanic that look way more filmic and truer to their source, which have also gained a substantial amount of natural/native detail without going through all the digital manipulation that this transfer did. And as those promo stills show, it could have looked better. Gaining the extra the detail that was already there in the source thanks to the 4K scan and a more ‘respectful’ restoration (for lack of a better word) if it had gotten one. This whole degraining, artificial sharpening, other digital tinkering, and re-graining afterwards was completely unnecessary to make it look ‘better’.

Am i saying it’s a complete disaster? No. Can people still enjoy it? Obviously. But could it look better? Absolutely. And it should have. The film is so iconic (and i would say a monumental achievement in cinema) that it makes sense people on here will scrutinize it even harder. And unfortunately Cameron doesn’t seem to be able to allow his films to exist in their context of time. Even Avatar got that abomination of an upscale despite the fact it is more recent. The thing looks like an oil painting instead of a movie at times. Watching the 4K restoration of The Abyss a few days ago, he did a very similar to it like Titanic. And after that and this disc, my expectations for the 4Ks of Aliens and True Lies are extremely tampered now. It’s a shame because the film could have looked so good without all that extra processing to ‘modernize’ it. Sometimes creators and artists really are their own worst enemies. Just look at Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Oliver Stone (look at the 4K disc of Platoon).

I agree with everything you said. This was the prime example of why Universal's Jurassic Park 2011 Blu-Ray was not optimal, and neither is the 2018 4K UHD version. But whoa whoa whoa hold the phone about Peter Jackson's King Kong (ALSO Universal). That was mostly Universal's "unauthorized" move to have it in 4K, rushing to the 4K market, as they did with Bourne Identity, which is arguably the worse 4K disc out there. They either do an "in-house restoration" or a third party taking the 2K DI and upscaling it, slap on "Auto HDR" and call it a day (exaggerating here but based on the results, it might as well be the truth). And it pains me to read this Forbes article praising the quality when it's in fact, not good. At. All. Highliy doubt Jackson would approve of this, as he holds dear to this movie, even if it's not like this LOTR baby.

[nick4Knight]

Agreed w/ below.

If Cameron "truly doesn't care about his films", he wouldn't exert so much control of the home video releases like he does. He'd just let the studios do whatever. You and others may not like what he does, but it's a matter of opinion and very clearly not one that everyone shares.

This thread is like that scene in Moneyball when the panel of "expert" recruiters and scouts are just throwing out the tired old tropes of what everyone in the room -like clapping seals- insists "needs" to be done and they all sound and LOOK like dinosaurs; and Billy Beane is like...



Except that one old guy who slaps out a humble king line to the effect that his opinion means nothing at the end of the day. What a guy.

[I-C-Blue]

Just skimmed the special features. Was hoping this alternate video of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On", featuring alternate / unseen takes of the music video, would make the cut on disc. Guess not. And love it or hate it, you can't deny the restoration here is phenomenal.

Céline Dion - My Heart Will Go On (Official 25th Anniversary Alternate Music Video) - YouTube

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

The Abyss?

James Cameron On 4K Restorations And The Importance Of Physical Media

[LordoftheRings]

Anywhere I looked I didn't find a single review below excellent picture and audio quality.
And I looked everywhere in the whole world.

I'm sure nobody missed this review back couple weeks ago ...
A few words about…™ – Titanic — in 4k UHD

Time for everyone to upgrade their OLED TVs for state-of-the-art 4K laser front projectors.
Go big or watch Godzilla Minus One on your Smart phone.

[Jowiko96]

I've warmed up to the transfer after watching more scenes from it. The disc is not perfect and the manipulation is definitely evident.

But man, is this thread a sh!tsh0w.

Yes, the film has looked better in other formats. Yes, I enjoy the 35mm scan that's been going around online. I tend to return back to the open matte rip with the color timing changed to the DVD colors often.

But, the transfer is not an abomination. It isn't as good as I hoped, but it doesn't ruin the film proper. The one that gets to me more is The Matrix 4K transfer (I much prefer the colors on the 35mm scan), but thats just me.

The name calling, the constant bickering, the complaining about James Cameron, its never ending i s2g. There is barely any interesting critique about the transfer past the usual talking points that have been said and even been dismissed.

I would much rather people have constructive & detailed criticism instead of repeating how Bill Hunt was wrong or how James Cameron is bad. lmao

[escvnte]

Originally Posted by Jowiko96

I've warmed up to the transfer after watching more scenes from it. The disc is not perfect and the manipulation is definitely evident.

But man, is this thread a sh!tsh0w.

Yes, the film has looked better in other formats. Yes, I enjoy the 35mm scan that's been going around online. I tend to return back to the open matte rip with the color timing changed to the DVD colors often.

But, the transfer is not an abomination. It isn't as good as I hoped, but it doesn't ruin the film proper. The one that gets to me more is The Matrix 4K transfer (I much prefer the colors on the 35mm scan), but thats just me.

The name calling, the constant bickering, the complaining about James Cameron, its never ending i s2g. There is barely any interesting critique about the transfer past the usual talking points that have been said and even been dismissed.

I would much rather people have constructive & detailed criticism instead of repeating how Bill Hunt was wrong or how James Cameron is bad. lmao

These are exactly my thoughts on this release: it isn't 100% perfect, neither it is 100% reference quality, but it gets the job done.
Besides, ever since TITANIC hit home video it has undergo through different remastering/recolor processes (the very least offensive being the 2005 DVD, which is perfect in keeping the "filmic" look of the movie).
Otherwise, like it or not, this is what we have in the format. No one is going to change that, or re-release a 2nd "corrected" version.

It could have looked better? Sure, maybe if Cameron wasn't too busy "testing" technology. But, hey. It's his film, afterall, and if he feels that this is how it's supposed to look, you either buy the thing or you just don't.
No one is forcing anyone to buy this release.
If you're happy with what you already have: be it the LD, 1999 DVD, VHS, 2005 DVD, 2012 Blu-Ray/Blu-Ray 3D, 35mm scan or HDTV rip (sourced from the 2005 DVD), enjoy it.

I only bought this to complete my collection, honestly.
But I will hardly re-watch it after a view or 2.
The 3D Blu-Ray has been my personal "go-to" release, since it came out, to experience the movie in a much more immersive way, just like the 2 Avatar movies.
And I think those are the best 3D releases ever put out.

But that's just me, and someone might say 4K is da bomb, not 3D.
To each his own, as they say.

[Mierzwiak]

Originally Posted by Jowiko96

I would much rather people have constructive & detailed criticism

And yet your post is anything but. How about offering constructive & detailed criticism instead of the usual whining about people who can't write constructive & detailed criticism?

[bludarkknight]

i never was interested in buying this . .


to think i once projected this , 35mm SR-D at all new warner 12 plex at bristol , 1998 , in one of four larger screens , by hand with another projectionist on premiere opening night as one of cards in the cake platter wind off motors had failed and no one in the audience had idea the film was actually been projected by hand " mostly " for over 3hrs 30 mins , ads trailers , Dolby trailer , feature film

yes , disappointed the format specs are there but its the robbing studios that give the format a bad name , no never will buy this version on 4k ever , oh even if they fix the issue , and then use the poorest of excuses , otherwise 4k in general is scam , everyone here thinks of high numbers if bit and gb rate must be better

the dodgy colour on the abyss , no thanks i don't buy discs produced by colour blind technicians so i can fuel their pockets , shame on them

i watch this on , laserdisc AC-3 or dts laserdisc or maybe first pressing on region 1 dvd and so what low res , i projected it 35mm i think i know the difference

and yes the thread is sinking , members and children first , don't panic , get back i say , mr. lightoller lower them down

really ,

[Jowiko96]

Originally Posted by Mierzwiak

And yet your post is anything but. How about offering constructive & detailed criticism instead of the usual whining about people who can't write constructive & detailed criticism?

I’m more than willing to contribute. I wrote some of my opinions previously and above. I’m just stating my opinion after reading this thread for the past week and wishing it was better.

I just think stopping to attacks and name calling is weak and immature.

[spanky87]

I don’t think anyone is being insulted for liking this release. If anything, the insults have been coming from people who like the release and don’t want to hear any criticism toward it.

[cybersoga]

Anyone actually watched it yet?

[kono]

Originally Posted by cybersoga

Anyone actually watched it yet?

I just finished. The picture is gorgeous. Vibrant with crazy details. The skin details are insane, too detailed. I believe this might just be the best looking Titanic. I do own other version of this movie. I'll have to review the 3D again to compare. But the 4K version is WOW. Highly recommended.

[dcx4610]

I somehow managed to find time to watch this tonight. I haven't seen it since the DVD days but I've always really liked the movie.

And ya know? I think I like it even better tonight with adult eyes. I'm not afraid to admit that I had tears in my eyes throughout the movie and was on the verge of crying at the final scene. I'm happy that it still has that power and it might even be more powerful in adulthood.

Leo's acting is still pretty bad and the Jack character is super corny but, it just kinda works somehow. Kate Winslet on the other hand is awesome, likable, believable and is the star of the show here. It's also interesting seeing the special effects with modern eyes. It does have a bit of that uncanny valley/90s computer animation look to it at times but most of it holds up very well. It felt like the beginning of CG at least partially, becoming seamless or at at least not standing out like a sore thumb anymore.

As for the UHD? OUTSTANDING. I'm going to gush about this for a bit. At least to my eyes (and ears), we have a new winner in how to treat a catalog title. It is about as perfect as you can get. I was slightly worried at the beginning with the old footage and then the underwater scene as the grain looked a little smeary and weirdly digital to me. Thankfully, once we are on the ship, everything cleans up brilliantly. It legit looks like a new movie (in a good way) and feels like it could have been shot in 2023. Extremely detailed, highly refined grain and super rich colors.

This is one of those movies that could have been hurt a bit with the HDR since the last half of the movie takes place at night and could have been too dark and hard to see. This isn't the case here at all. Even at night, everything is pristine and highlighted well by the night sky and ship lights.

And for you Kate Wislet haters on the board (read a few pages back), one thing that stood out to me watching it again is just how beautiful she is. And I know this will sound extra simpy but her red hair really stood out as gorgeous and just really pops with color and detail. And despite all of the extreme detail and close up shots, she looks flawless.

Audio is also top notch. There were times that I couldn't tell if it was my house or the movie with all of the drips, pops and cracks of the ship. It's really engaging and you get some good low end when the ship starts to come apart.

Yes, Titanic is a little cheesy and corny at times but, it's also emotional, well acted (by everyone but Leo) and is near flawless film. If you've never seen it or avoided it when it came out, I'd say it's absolutely worth a shot. Since I had just watched it recently, it actually reminded me of Oppenheimer. There's this elevated level of film making that comes across when you watch both movies. The editing, acting, shot composition and just plain film making are on another level to other movies. If you ARE a fan, Titanic didn't even look and sound this good in theaters. It will be like watching it again for the first time and being handed a pristine copy of the film. It's the new standard that catalog titles will have to live up to and gives me hope for the Abyss and True Lies.

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by Riddhi2011

Grain discussions aside, just check how much skin detail has simply vanished from the UHD versus the 35mm print. This is not just about the duping process adding more grain. The skin and hair detail captured by the negative is still visible on a four generation removed film print from 1997, but not visible on a brand new 4K remaster "approved" by Cameron.

Top: 35mm
Bottom: UHD

Attachment 297841

Apparently the image at the bottom is what Cameron likes.

Sorry but this is absolutely not accurate or what the UHD looks like as a whole. This is a bad shot to compare because the camera is looking up through water. Every frame, her face is distorted by the wave of the water and it is smeared. They admitted to using AI on the restoration, so there is a chance that AI might have ruined the detail in this shot due to the water but no other scene looks smeared like this.

Here's a random shot I took from my cell phone. It obviously looks even better in motion and doesn't have added compression. Tons of detail and you can even see peach fuzz.