Predator (1987) (Ultimate Hunter Edition)

[FendersRule]

Originally Posted by paul_66

Man, I really hate this. I was planning on placing an order for this but have hit the brakes due to all the negatives, which I can already notice a DNR nightmare in the screenshots. But looking at screens of the previous release, I feel like I've come to the conclusion that the new transfer may be better in some way or another, like maybe deeper colors and higher definition. However, it's DNR'ed to death and that's what makes it loose some of its definition.

But for people like Rusty100 here, detail doesn't seem to matter.

Or an accurate theater presentation which is what BD lives up for.

The 2008 version is nearly dead-on accurate.

[kdo]

For all the people who've voted "Neither" on this poll, I'd be very interested in knowing which version you'd opt for if you had to pick one of the two...now I may be wrong, but it's my guess that most would choose the 2008 release.

[markbr]

Just finished watching it. This is my personal opinion remember.
I'm well pleased with the picture very clear all the detail showing. I have put some screenshots up for you to have a look at. Bear in mind I only took these with a iphone. More shots on my Gallery........


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[MaCruz]

^ Nice pics!

I'm happy with the double dip. PQ was overall good so I'm not complaining.

[ChuckT43]

It seems there are issues with the video on each release. My choice will be the new one, it has all the extras. If I liked the movie enough I'd buy both, but I don't.

[720pDude]

Originally Posted by fdm

If you remove the grain, you also remove some of the detail.

HAhaha..NOT TRUE AT ALL

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Johnothan Pedak

I never thought I would say this, but...

I'll stick with the DVD.

Originally Posted by 720pDude

HAhaha..NOT TRUE AT ALL

ummm, actually you do. Grain is LITERALLY a piece of the physical film. Take away a piece you lose something. It's a fact of nature.

[Al_The_Strange]

Yeah, those screenshots look reminiscent of "Gladiator;" soft-looking on facial details, but the color/contrast are superb.

I'm still getting the old grainy release....I hope I like it....

[Beast]

Originally Posted by FendersRule

Or an accurate theater presentation which is what BD lives up for.

The 2008 version is nearly dead-on accurate.

Yeah, all the video noise and compression artifacts are exactly how I remember the movie at the theater.

[MaCruz]

If anyone is still looking for the original Predator release. Hit me up for a trade

[Teazle]

Originally Posted by Rusty100

Any lost detail, which is rare, is detail that is not noticable when watching the film. I think this is important because I see the film as a whole, and won't be stopping it to check between versions if some dimples are more pronounced or not.

Forget close-ups (dimples, pockmarks don't affect the atmosphere of the film that much) But look at the vegetation in any medium shot. (This happens a LOT in the film.) That's where the absence of detail hurts most.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by markbr

Just finished watching it. This is my personal opinion remember.
I'm well pleased with the picture very clear all the detail showing. I have put some screenshots up for you to have a look at. Bear in mind I only took these with a iphone. More shots on my Gallery........

No offense but that looks nothing like Predator. It looks like it had been shot in a movie set flooded with soap-opera lighting, instead of on location in a Mexican jungle (which it was).

[Beast]

Originally Posted by Grubert

No offense but that looks nothing like Predator. It looks like it had been shot in a movie set flooded with soap-opera lighting, instead of on location in a Mexican jungle (which it was).

And now you can actually see the lush folliage and beauty of the Mexican jungle.

[persuazion]

Originally Posted by kdo

For all the people who've voted "Neither" on this poll, I'd be very interested in knowing which version you'd opt for if you had to pick one of the two...now I may be wrong, but it's my guess that most would choose the 2008 release.

I dont know about that......I thought there were very few that agreed with me that it looked good on this new version until this poll and until people started actually watching it and giving their opinion.

[snoman_99]

wasn't god awful like you see everyone talking about... enjoyed seeing it again and we double dipped and proud of it lol.

J & Jen

[mars396]

WOW

I guess I am a DNR-lover !

I got a sense of déjà vu yesterday, as there I was, on shelf day, purchasing the new (second) release of Predator with a better transfer, more extra features, and moviecash for the latest Predator film. (Last time the moviecash was for AvP, and this time’s moviecash is for Predators.) And of course, déjà vu when I got home, put it in, and was amazed with the improvement in picture quality. I also got déjà vu thinking “How many more times will I rebuy the same movies?”, but I decided once I made the jump to Blu-ray that I would no longer agonize over that, and just move forward, knowing that I will never be “done” buying my favorite core group of movies.

So, last time I was amazed watching the Predator double dip on my DVD player connected to an RF Converter, which was connected via coax into a splitter, then another coax cable onto my 27” RCA Tube TV set. (God, remember all those connections ??) And was equally amazed at the Alien Quadrilogy and then the Star Trek double-dip “Special Editions” with this setup.

Then I upgraded to a 37” LCD HDTV and an upconverting DVD player connected via HDMI. I was instantly disappointed in the PQs of Predator, Aliens, and Wrath of Khan. I distinctly remember feeling like I was watching these through a burlap sack. What a major disappointment. I never got through Predator nor Wrath of Khan, and only got through Aliens because that is my absolute favorite film of all time. I kept thinking, if I just had a setting on either my player or TV to get rid of all that grain, these would be so much more enjoyable.

So, last December, I take the next (logical) step up to Blu-ray, and my jaw fell to the floor sampling the first six Star Trek movies. I felt like previously I merely had cheap copies, but now I finally OWNED these films. I read the reviews, learned about the evils of DNR, and how I must hate films if I don’t want to see all that grain, yet I still prefer these clear versions. I wouldn’t want grain digitally added to District 9 nor Avatar – those films look great: I just don’t get the grain-lovers.

Naturally, I was extremely pleased with the new Predator PQ. Perhaps it is my small (37”) LCD. Or maybe I just hate movies, as the anti-DNR crowd wants to believe. But this is the most enjoyable presentation (to me) I have ever seen of Predator. I am seriously emotional about Alien and Aliens coming on Blu-ray, and I pray they have this same type of PQ. I am really looking forward to watching Aliens without the burlap sack over my head.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Beast

And now you can actually see the lush folliage and beauty of the Mexican jungle.

I didn't know the jungle was made of plastic plants.

[Post Prod]

If you are really having problems with grain that much on a 37inch display to the point that you think things look like they have a burlap sack on them, you should really think about having a professional calibrate it.

To be fair with the above shots, it could be the camera, but that display appears to be needing a serious calibration as well.


Of course after a proper calibration, a lot of you may think it looks to subdued, since it's not burning your retinas out. But having the contrast jacked and any of the displays "enhancement" features turned on, can make grain look like a flaming sand storm.

[Post Prod]

Originally Posted by 720pDude

HAhaha..NOT TRUE AT ALL

Yes, it's 100% completely true. It's physically part of the image. How do you think DNR works exactly?

Please do some research.

[markbr]

Originally Posted by Grubert

I didn't know the jungle was made of plastic plants.

You must have plastic eye balls then LOL !!!! I was very pleased with it. More colour more detail if you don't like the new edition then don't buy it. I have both editions and the new one is by far better. (my opinion) don't get me wrong I like to see grain in certain films like the new Private Ryan, Minority Report both look outstanding on blu ray disc.