The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition) (2001-2003)

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by cawilli

Good god. There are literally 30+ hrs out there of LOTR extras. What in the hell else do you need/want? Peter Jackson to come to your house and jerk you off?

The level of "douchery" displayed by some people here never ceases to amaze me. You do realize there was a LOT of extras that have purposefully never been released because they were saving them for a potential ultimate "high-def" edition. You do realize that many of the people who are buying this Blu Ray already have the EE DVDs and thus already own the same exact DVDs being included in this new edition. You do realize this release carries a premium price tag of at least $83.99. God forbid at the very least they could have ported over the extras on to Blu Rays. But then, that would have been asking for too much, equivalent to say, Peter Jackson coming to my house and jerking me off. You disgust me.

[Cinemaddict]

Originally Posted by jrmac2000

Just got back from the fellowship theatrical event, but there was no intro by Peter Jackson. Anyone have any video of it?

Weird, I saw it. Nothing earth-shatting. He was at the Bag End set, but never mentioned The Hobbit.

He looked very tired as he talked a little about how he and Fran Walsh first started pursuing the rights to LotR. He also talked about the new transfer that was made for the Blu-ray, saying "the films, in my opinion, have never looked better."

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

The level of "douchery" displayed by some people here never ceases to amaze me. You do realize there was a LOT of extras that have purposefully never been released because they were saving them for a potential ultimate "high-def" edition. You do realize that many of the people who are buying this Blu Ray already have the EE DVDs and thus already own the same exact DVDs being included in this new edition. You do realize this release carries a premium price tag of at least $83.99. God forbid at the very least they could have ported over the extras on to Blu Rays. But then, that would have been asking for too much, equivalent to say, Peter Jackson coming to my house and jerking me off. You disgust me.

I got rid of my EE DVDs when I made the upgrade to Blu-ray. I also got Amazon to give me a $20 credit towards the purchase of the set, resulting in me only paying $63.99. So, I'm a very happy camper and I don't mind that I'm getting six DVDs of extras that I've already seen.

[jrmac2000]

Originally Posted by Cinemaddict

Weird, I saw it. Nothing earth-shatting. He was at the Bag End set, but never mentioned The Hobbit.

He looked very tired as he talked a little about how he and Fran Walsh first started pursuing the rights to LotR. He also talked about the new transfer that was made for the Blu-ray, saying "the films, in my opinion, have never looked better."

Sounds pretty low key, still wish they would have shown it. Thanks!

[Todd Smith]

Ken,

One question I have is I noticed in your FOTR TE review you mention this........

But since director Peter Jackson and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie adjusted the film's color timing before approving the new master used for this release, it's safe to assume the savory palette is faithful to their intentions.

I would have to think whatever this approval was would also apply to the EE so why such a drastic change in the color as far as the green issue in the EE? Would this not also suggest some sort of error occurred in the blu ray process assuming the screens and videos we are seeing are accurate?

Thanks

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I got rid of my EE DVDs when I made the upgrade to Blu-ray. I also got Amazon to give me a $20 credit towards the purchase of the set, resulting in me only paying $63.99. So, I'm a very happy camper and I don't mind that I'm getting six DVDs of extras that I've already seen.

I am sure that's the exact reason Warner decided to recycle the DVDs. They had fans best interest at heart. Not to save a few bucks or anything.

[Cinemaddict]

Originally Posted by jrmac2000

Sounds pretty low key, still wish they would have shown it. Thanks!

One thing Peter Jackson mentioned I had not heard before: Sometime in the early 90s, he said to Fran Walsh he would like to make "a fantasy film with a lot of heart..you know, something kind of like The Lord of the Rings." So they started working on concepts for an original screenplay, and at some stage wondered "Wait...could we just make The Lord of the Rings?" They were sure that a famous book like LotR must be impossible to get the rights to, but they decided to inquire anyway. The rest is history!

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

And what exactly have you been seeing in the screenshots since even that is debatable to some degree?

Can't you just appreciate the vagueness of my purposely ambiguous report?

I'm waiting for the waving of the white flags.

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

Ken,

One question I have is I noticed in your FOTR TE review you mention this........

But since director Peter Jackson and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie adjusted the film's color timing before approving the new master used for this release, it's safe to assume the savory palette is faithful to their intentions.

I would have to think whatever this approval was would also apply to the EE so why such a drastic change in the color as far as the green issue in the EE? Would this not also suggest some sort of error occurred in the blu ray process assuming the screens and videos we are seeing are accurate?

Thanks

That question has been lingering on my mind as well. If he and Lesnie approved the color grading exactly as it appears in the early screenshots, my wife had a theory - perhaps whatever color changes he applied this late in the game have something to do with tying the palette into, or evolving it from, 'The Hobbit' films. While that's taking a complete shot in the dark, it would make sense and might explain the sudden change of heart between the TEs and EEs. Of course, that's if he approved it exactly as it appears.

But in this age of George Lucas and film revisionism, it's entirely possible he just wanted to keep tinkering with it. If so, the debate that should be held is a different one. Or it's possible there is an error/issue of some sort. Or it's possible his intro was filmed months ago, long before the theatrical and Blu-ray presentations were finalized. It's dizzying really.

The relative silence on the matter from Warner, Jackson and Lesnie is what baffles me. If the appearance were completely intentional, I'm confused as to why a sweeping statement hasn't been issued to settle the matter once and for all. I'm confused as to why inside reports would need to come by way of people like Mr. Hunt, rather than directly from the mouths of those involved.

But it's all conjecture really. I remain hopeful that Jackson and Lesnie will issue a new statement about the controversy brewing in forums, even if it requires them to repeat what they've already (reportedly) made clear behind the scenes. They're certainly aware of the controversy, and it's in their best interest to address is quickly and emphatically. I have a feeling that's the only thing that will settle any debate anyway.

[AreaUnderTheCurve]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

my wife had a theory - perhaps whatever color changes he applied this late in the game have something to do with tying the palette into, or evolving it from, 'The Hobbit' films.

I had the same thought and it does make a little sense.

[Roy Batty]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

my wife had a theory - perhaps whatever color changes he applied this late in the game have something to do with tying the palette into, or evolving it from, 'The Hobbit' films.

Originally Posted by JLTucker

I had the same thought and it does make a little sense.

Yeah, now all that is left to know is exactly what role gamma radiation plays in THE INCREDIBLE HOBBIT...

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

That question has been lingering on my mind as well. If he and Lesnie approved the color grading exactly as it appears in the early screenshots, my wife had a theory - perhaps whatever color changes he applied this late in the game have something to do with tying the palette into, or evolving it from, 'The Hobbit' films. While that's taking a complete shot in the dark, it would make sense and might explain the sudden change of heart between the TEs and EEs. Of course, that's if he approved it exactly as it appears.

But in this age of George Lucas and film revisionism, it's entirely possible he just wanted to keep tinkering with it. If so, the debate that should be held is a different one. Or it's possible there is an error/issue of some sort. Or it's possible his intro was filmed months ago, long before the theatrical and Blu-ray presentations were finalized. It's dizzying really.

The relative silence on the matter from Warner, Jackson and Lesnie is what baffles me. If the appearance were completely intentional, I'm confused as to why a sweeping statement hasn't been issued to settle the matter once and for all. I'm confused as to why inside reports would need to come by way of people like Mr. Hunt, rather than directly from the mouths of those involved.

But it's all conjecture really. I remain hopeful that Jackson and Lesnie will issue a new statement about the controversy brewing in forums, even if it requires them to repeat what they've already (reportedly) made clear behind the scenes. They're certainly aware of the controversy, and it's in their best interest to address is quickly and emphatically. I have a feeling that's the only thing that will settle any debate anyway.

Great thoughts and that makes sense. Some sort of official type statement (more than the reported version we have) from Jackson and Lesnie in relation to the blu ray would really help put this issue to rest IMO (at least for me believe it or not!). While it would not change my opinion of the changes assuming what we are seeing is accurate, I could at least let it rest at that point since I know for sure (as crazy as green snow and skies seem to me, lol) this was intentional (and maybe for good reason such as tying into the Hobbit as you mention) and not some error in the transfer process to blu ray which just looking at the comparison shots would suggest to my eyes at the moment.

Looking forward to your review

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

If the Blu-ray and the recent theatrical re-release were from the same master with the same color timing, I haven't heard reports of the theatrical copy being green.

[Goldengirl]

if you are the Todd Smith in the fan club credits? How pitiful is it that I stayed to watch all of those tonight?

[Roy Batty]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

Great thoughts and that makes sense. Some sort of official type statement (more than the reported version we have) from Jackson and Lesnie in relation to the blu ray would really help put this issue to rest IMO (at least for me believe it or not!). While it would not change my opinion of the changes assuming what we are seeing is accurate, I could at least let it rest at that point since I know for sure (as crazy as green snow and skies seem to me, lol) this was intentional (and maybe for good reason such as tying into the Hobbit as you mention) and not some error in the transfer process to blu ray which just looking at the comparison shots would suggest to my eyes at the moment.

But that still leaves the question of the EE's sharpness inconsistency.

It is not hard to guess that the theatrical cut of "Fellowship..." on BD suffered from some DNR + edge enhancement, so some shots may look falsely and artificially sharper than the new EE when compared side by side. But there are quite a few shots in the EE's screencaps posted here that do look definitely fuzzy.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by Goldengirl

if you are the Todd Smith in the fan club credits? How pitiful is it that I stayed to watch all of those tonight?

Nothing wrong with that! When I actually sit through all the credits in a movie (LOTR is one of the few I have actually done this with), I know it had a big impact on me and LOTR is just that kind of experience

To answer your question though, no that was not me. I have the fortunate/unfortunate thing of having a VERY common name, especially Smith. They hate me at the gym when I forget my membership card since they have to look me up on the computer and they dont find me until about the 15th page of Smiths!

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

But that still leaves the question of the EE's sharpness inconsistency.

It is not hard to guess that the theatrical cut of "Fellowship..." on BD suffered from some DNR + edge enhancement, so some shots may look falsely and artificially sharper than the new EE when compared side by side. But there are quite a few shots in the EE's screencaps posted here that do look definitely fuzzy.

Oh man..........I had not even noticed this yet.......I dont need anything else to obsess over!

[little flower]

I would have liked the bonus stuff on a Blu-ray disc/discs. If they could not put the bonus stuff in High-definition the other way to make use of Blu-ray is that it can hold tons of standard definition bonus stuff. It would be neat to watch all the bonus stuff on 1 or 2 disc/discs.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

Originally Posted by little flower

I would have liked the bonus stuff on a Blu-ray disc/discs. If they could not put the bonus stuff in High-definition the other way to make use of Blu-ray is that it can hold tons of standard definition bonus stuff. It would be neat to watch all the bonus stuff on 1 or 2 disc/discs.

Yeah, would have saved space to put the extra features on Blu, but it's not a big deal to me.

[Roy Batty]

Originally Posted by Roy Batty

But that still leaves the question of the EE's sharpness inconsistency. (...) there are quite a few shots in the EE's screencaps posted here that do look definitely fuzzy.

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

Oh man..........I had not even noticed this yet.......I dont need anything else to obsess over!

Well, be my guest:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/58337

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/58227

[Anglik]

Don't know if this has been posted but Bill Hunt of theDigitalBits.com had this to say about the set:

You see... I've been a little busy today, working on our in-depth review of one of the most eagerly anticipated Blu-ray Disc releases ever: Warner's new 15-disc The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Extended Edition box set! That's right, this hefty package finally arrived on my doorstep early this morning. And if you've been reading The Bits for any length of time, you know darned well that I simply had to drop everything and get it reviewed for you guys! All the extras from the previous Extended Edition and Limited Edition DVD releases do indeed carry over to this new set. Best of all, each of these films looks and sounds absolutely stunning... including the newly-remastered Fellowship of the Rings. All three films, in fact, look noticeably better than they did even on last year's Theatrical Edition Blu-ray release. And for anyone who thinks it wasn't a good idea to split these longer versions over two BD-50s each, just wait until you see these discs! The benefits of all that extra breathing room for the video compression REALLY show up on screen. Simply put, these films have never looked and sounded so good before... period. These discs are well worth the wait. The set arrives in stores in just two weeks, on 6/28. In the meantime, enjoy the review!

Full review

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/review...ews061411.html