The Last Starfighter (25th Anniversary Edition)

[Xtempo]

I'll pick up the Blu-ray. Thanks for the help guys.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Rob71

I think like Robocop, it could be better. Not sure how much though. Wasn't this always a "soft" movie, even in theaters? I also loved the documentary and it alone made this purchase worthwhile to me(I didn't have the DVD though).

Yes, it was a "soft" movie my friend...and I agree, that like 'Robocop,' 'Last Starfighter' won't ever look much better than it does right now...however, as I'm sure you're probably well aware, coming from the same source material, both the Blu version (as well as the 25th anniversary DVD) were wiped clean with a heavy dose of that 'monster' we refer to as DNR, and while I'm happy to own the Blu, I still cannot part with my 1999 collector's edition DVD...

Originally Posted by Rob71

I'm also considering building that arcade cabinet, because a guy online has made The Last Starfighter arcade game.

I'm a geek, I know.

That's hilarious! I was just playing it last night, no joke! I've had that roguesynapse 'Starfighter' download since it came out just a couple of years ago. I cannot tell you how euphoric it felt to finally have been able to play the game I had dreamed of since I was a kid! At first I thought the game was unbeatable (unless you messed with the 'options' in the menu), but I've since beaten it several times without using any of the 'cheats'...One of my favorite games, as I'm a geek in that sense too, though I don't have the time and/or money right now, to build my own arcade cabinet...but I probably would if I could...

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Xtempo

I'll pick up the Blu-ray. Thanks for the help guys.

No problem ...

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by kdo

while I'm happy to own the Blu, I still cannot part with my 1999 collector's edition DVD...

Why? You don't actually watch it, do you? Whatever problems the BD has, it trounces the C.E. DVD...

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Why? You don't actually watch it, do you? Whatever problems the BD has, it trounces the C.E. DVD...

Actually I do, and I still slightly prefer it, despite it's shortcomings (especially in terms of resolution). The 1999 DVD just reminds me much more, in terms of both video and audio, of the theatrical presentation I recall having witnessed. Certain parts of the Blu look outstanding, but other scenes just look too waxy and digitally manipulated (via DNR) for my liking. Obviously, this is just my opinion, and I can respect and understand why other people would easily prefer the Blu...but if you read over most of the professional Blu reviews on the film (even the one on this site), it's obvious that the DNR issue did factor into why the video score was heavily downgraded...Had Universal left the 'grain' intact, I would've been most happy. Nonetheless, I still think the Blu looks decent, and it's not like I'd never watch it again or anything, as I most certainly will...

[kdo]

Plus, if not for anything else, I have to keep my 1999 Collector's Edition DVD for the original theatrical trailer (which is presented in widescreen, as compared to the 25th anniversary DVD and Blu-ray, which oddly have the trailer in full-screen...)

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by kdo

Plus, if not for anything else, I have to keep my 1999 Collector's Edition DVD for the original theatrical trailer (which is presented in widescreen, as compared to the 25th anniversary DVD and Blu-ray, which oddly have the trailer in full-screen...)

I think you're a little batty for watching the DVD over the BD but this bit about the trailer...now that's the kind of geekocity I can get behind. The aspect ratio shift on the trailer wasn't enough for me to stop selling my C.E. DVD for $15, but I can certainly respect your stance on that one.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I think you're a little batty for watching the DVD over the BD

fair enough, as I feel somewhat similarly about those who can so easily dismiss the 1999 DVD in favor the DNR'd Blu, without so much as raising an eyebrow as to how 'waxy' a considerable portion of it looks...Don't get me wrong, I'll still watch the Blu, as this is my 3rd all-time favorite movie, but I'll never sell off my 1999 Collector's Edition DVD...

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

but this bit about the trailer...now that's the kind of geekocity I can get behind. The aspect ratio shift on the trailer wasn't enough for me to stop selling my C.E. DVD for $15, but I can certainly respect your stance on that one.

, thanks...but I'm surprised that you, being the huge 'trailer' fan that you are, could sell your Collector's DVD, which has the trailer in it's theatrical aspect ratio (as to where the Blu's, and the 25th anniversary DVD's, are cropped)...

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by kdo

, thanks...but I'm surprised that you, being the huge 'trailer' fan that you are, could sell your Collector's DVD, which has the trailer in it's theatrical aspect ratio (as to where the Blu's, and the 25th anniversary DVD's, are cropped)...

$15 was hard to resist over a trailer's aspect ratio. I was able to basically damn near pay for this BD by selling the DVD. However, if the BD hadn't kept the trailer at all, it would have been "no sale" on the DVD at any price...

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

$15 was hard to resist over a trailer's aspect ratio. I was able to basically damn near pay for this BD by selling the DVD. However, if the BD hadn't kept the trailer at all, it would have been "no sale" on the DVD at any price...

Ah, I see...well, in that case it would seem you made the right decision for yourself...

[Rob71]

Well, I finally bought this for $10 at Best Buy. I had previously watched it at a friends house and had hoped the "look" was due more to his TV(a Dynex I believe) and not the disc itself. It was a little better on my set-up than I remember, but not much. I didn't get to see the last DVD of this, so I can't compare to that, and I'm not even going to try and compare it to the theater experience I had back in the 80's. This is one movie though, for me at least, where the content on the disc more than makes up for any shortcomings of the video. I do wish a release of this film would come out that wasn't so manipulated though. All in all though, no complaints. Especially for $10.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Well, I finally bought this for $10 at Best Buy. I had previously watched it at a friends house and had hoped the "look" was due more to his TV(a Dynex I believe) and not the disc itself. It was a little better on my set-up than I remember, but not much. I didn't get to see the last DVD of this, so I can't compare to that, and I'm not even going to try and compare it to the theater experience I had back in the 80's. This is one movie though, for me at least, where the content on the disc more than makes up for any shortcomings of the video. I do wish a release of this film would come out that wasn't so manipulated though. All in all though, no complaints. Especially for $10.

I saw this in the theater a long time ago as well, never had the DVD either. I also bit for 9.99 at best buy last week. Had to get them to price match their website, but for 10 bucks it's a good deal to me, for a great movie.

I haven't watched it yet, but plan to very soon. DNR bothers me to an extent, so I hope it's tolerable.

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Well, I finally bought this for $10 at Best Buy. I had previously watched it at a friends house and had hoped the "look" was due more to his TV(a Dynex I believe) and not the disc itself. It was a little better on my set-up than I remember, but not much. I didn't get to see the last DVD of this, so I can't compare to that, and I'm not even going to try and compare it to the theater experience I had back in the 80's. This is one movie though, for me at least, where the content on the disc more than makes up for any shortcomings of the video. I do wish a release of this film would come out that wasn't so manipulated though. All in all though, no complaints. Especially for $10.

Yeah, for $10 you really can't go wrong...While it does have its 'issues,' I agree that the content of the film itself easily makes it worth the purchase for that price. I paid around $17.50 when I bought it, but I also purchased it right around the time it first came out.

Originally Posted by Deads3t

I saw this in the theater a long time ago as well, never had the DVD either. I also bit for 9.99 at best buy last week. Had to get them to price match their website, but for 10 bucks it's a good deal to me, for a great movie.

I haven't watched it yet, but plan to very soon. DNR bothers me to an extent, so I hope it's tolerable.

Compared to some of the other 'DNR disasters' that have before (and since) graced the Blu-ray format, "Starfighter" isn't all that bad in comparison, so I believe you'll find it 'tolerable.' Sadly though, that's not saying much (as Blu-ray releases should be consistently 'exemplary,' not something we have to 'tolerate.') There's definitely DNR on "Starfighter," and certain scenes do suffer from it, but at the same time, it's not so bad as to render the film unwatchable (like some other Blu's that are virtually unbearable do to their excessive digital manipulation). I still prefer the overall look of the 1999 Collector's Edition DVD, despite its many shortcomings (print damage, artifacting, etc...), but at the same time, the resolution of the Blu blows the DVD away...I'm glad I have both versions, and I do watch them both, but what aggravates me a bit is that I shouldn't have to be 'torn' as to which version I should watch. The clear choice every time should be the Blu, yet it isn't, and I more often find myself reverting to the DVD, and mostly because the grain structure is still completely intact. Another thing that really annoys me about the Blu, are the opening credits...they just come off as way too 'bright' (especially the title "The Last Starfighter"), the DVD just looks better to me in that regard...Whatever the case, I'd still recommend to those who are big fans of the film, to pick up a cheap used copy of the 1999 Collector's DVD, if anything for comparison reasons. It's well worth it, and it will help you better realize the DNR application that was applied to the Blu...

[rockds]

Can anyone confirm if this is region free? I would love to get this

[#Darren]

Yeah I watched this with my friend on his 50 inch setup and was quite dissapointed by the "look" of it. It lacked something in the PQ department. Flat, drab, bland, washed out, dull.. are terms that come to mind. It sort of detracted from what was supposed to be a great film nostalgia night.

[#Darren]

it is region free

Originally Posted by rockds

Can anyone confirm if this is region free? I would love to get this

[rockds]

Originally Posted by Bad Boy Dazza

it is region free

BRILLIANT!!! Thank a million for letting me know.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

I really wish they had done a better job with bringing this film to blu. I doubt it would have taken much more effort to make things turn out a lot better.

The sound is so flat and the DNR is so heavy in places that it makes me twitch.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

I really wish they had done a better job with bringing this film to blu. I doubt it would have taken much more effort to make things turn out a lot better.

The sound is so flat and the DNR is so heavy in places that it makes me twitch.

Unless someone foots the bill for a restoration this as good as the film is going to look.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

I don't think a restoration was necessary. I'm not asking for a big-bucks clean-up job. Just scaling back on the DNR alone probably would have done wonders.

It could have looked better. I've seen this movie in the theater, so I know it can look better. I bet it could have sounded better with just a tiny bit of love as well.