The Rocketeer Zavvi Exclusive Steelbook

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

Could've been better, but still lovely.

[Show spoiler]

It looks great in real pictures. That stock image wasn't really impressing me, but now I might have to pick this up.

[thebard]

I don't have it in hand yet, but I don't think I mind the border. Along with the embossed title it reminds me somewhat of those die-cast metal robot toys they used to make (back in the days before toys were made of plastic), which is in keeping with the stylistic look of the movie.

My only quibble is perhaps the back doesn't fit the look of the front so much.

[GxyExpress999]

Yeah the border looks a bit odd to me too, but my order's already on the way anyway.

[f451]

According to the Zavvi website, this is a region B release. Elsewhere in this thread, someone stated it's region free. Could US users verify this? And verify this a bare-bones release? Thanks.

I'm not a big SB fan but I am a Rocketeer fan and was appalled by Disney's apparent disdain in its bare-bones domestic release. This UK release SB at least has the flair, style and grace so sadly lacking in the US release.

I am disappointed by Disney's lack of appreciation for this film as reflected in the paucity of extras and in the US design graphics. The 'international' poster packaged in a Blu-ray blue plastic case headed by BIG lettered Disney Blu-ray and the in the lower right 'Disney" and "Blu-ray' is repeated. UK shows the way to do it right.

Disney could have and should have included a plethora of special features. I recall a number of years ago the director stated he recorded a running commentary for the film for its initial DVD release. It didn't happen then but should have been included on the Blu-ray release. James Horner's score deserves a separate 5.1 bonus track and an interview with the composer. Promo interviews with cast and crew could have been added. Behind the scenes footage. Interviews with the ILM team. Concept and design drawings and sketches. Compare the original novel and its transition to film. And, it would have been great to include an interview Dave Stevens.

Disney could have added these at minimal cost. Even a full-color booklet like Criterion's might justify their premium pricing. All these would have greatly enhanced the release of this really glorious, fun film. As it is, this Zavvi release looks great!

[thebard]

Originally Posted by f451

According to the Zavvi website, this is a region B release. Elsewhere in this thread, someone stated it's region free. Could US users verify this? And verify this a bare-bones release? Thanks.

I'm not a big SB fan but I am a Rocketeer fan and was appalled by Disney's apparent disdain in its bare-bones domestic release. This UK release SB at least has the flair, style and grace so sadly lacking in the US release.

I am disappointed by Disney's lack of appreciation for this film as reflected in the paucity of extras and in the US design graphics. The 'international' poster packaged in a Blu-ray blue plastic case headed by BIG lettered Disney Blu-ray and the in the lower right 'Disney" and "Blu-ray' is repeated. UK shows the way to do it right.

Disney could have and should have included a plethora of special features. I recall a number of years ago the director stated he recorded a running commentary for the film for its initial DVD release. It didn't happen then but should have been included on the Blu-ray release. James Horner's score deserves a separate 5.1 bonus track and an interview with the composer. Promo interviews with cast and crew could have been added. Behind the scenes footage. Interviews with the ILM team. Concept and design drawings and sketches. Compare the original novel and its transition to film. And, it would have been great to include an interview Dave Stevens.

Disney could have added these at minimal cost. Even a full-color booklet like Criterion's might justify their premium pricing. All these would have greatly enhanced the release of this really glorious, fun film. As it is, this Zavvi release looks great!

I can confirm when mine arrives, but the previous posted photos seem to indicate A-B-C. Unless I'm mistaken, I think there have only been a couple Disney releases that were region locked.

I agree with the lack of extras, the standard amray release for both this and Dick Tracy were fairly barebones (just a trailer).

[f451]

Thanks. And at least the image quality on the US releases look great! Disney got that right. I hope they do a deluxe release of their 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and port over the DVD extras. But that's another topic.

[Billz]

Looks so sexy in actual photos!
I just wish that I had the money for it!

I am a bit surprised that Disney UK weren't able to dig up any bonus features for it though.

[ManUtd]

The border doesn't bother me at all, I can't wait to get my copy.

[Prelude2Elude]

Does it state if the movie is region free in the disk? US peeps should be getting it next week.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by Prelude2Elude

Does it state if the movie is region free in the disk? US peeps should be getting it next week.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=248

https://forum.blu-ray.com/attachment...0&d=1379764709
https://forum.blu-ray.com/attachment...1&d=1379764734

Looks like A-B-C.

[nashcameronn]

I usually like the embossed border steelbooks, but it just doesn't seem to fit the look of this one. Love the embossed title. Great steel overall. Can't wait for mine.

[yeslek]

Originally Posted by Simon_LDT

Zavvi is only the retailer, they don't print these themselves. Blame Disney/Touchstone as they make the majority of the decisions. The only thing Zavvi can be accounted for is not always updating their listings once the steelbooks are printed to reflect what they actually look like.

source that proves it all Disney - I personally(along with many others on here) dont think anyone knows for sure who has last say but its clear Zavvi order the steelbook print run, not Disney. Therefore, and any borders/embossement is down to them. so if they choose to emboss, regardless of how/where/what the artwork is, then its a bad move from Zavvi.

I'm also aware the stock photo wont always be an exact representation - hence the term 'stock photo' - but its a pretty good indicator.

Originally Posted by neoz

I like the front and the inside. The back is kind of just there you know. Don't get me wrong, I love the SB in general. So much that I'm still trying to secure my copy that was cancelled.

Still think this would have looked better glossy like a lot of people. The matted is nice but feels like it is lacking something.

See, I'd have to disagree. I think the matte finish complements the style of the artwork

Originally Posted by csdot

looks great i just kinda think its goofy they didnt line the black border up with debossing

dont you mean they should have extended the black frame of the artwork to fill the embossed border?

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by yeslek

source that proves it all Disney - I personally(along with many others on here) dont think anyone knows for sure who has last say but its clear Zavvi order the steelbook print run, not Disney. Therefore, and any borders/embossement is down to them. so if they choose to emboss, regardless of how/where/what the artwork is, then its a bad move from Zavvi.

I'm also aware the stock photo wont always be an exact representation - hence the term 'stock photo' - but its a pretty good indicator.



See, I'd have to disagree. I think the matte finish complements the style of the artwork



dont you mean they should have extended the black frame of the artwork to fill the embossed border?

Whilst not from Zavvi you can expect the process to be the same between retailers, so this great Q&A from Entertainment Store answers a few questions about how steelbooks come about.

And yes the studio does have the final say on design.

Road to an ES Steelbook

HDN: Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for this special HDN Exclusive community feature. We hope you can share with our members what kinds of processes and considerations are part of your Steelbook releases-provide a ‘peek behind the curtain’ so to speak!

Q-HDN: How do you determine what titles will receive the Steelbook treatment?

A-ES: The process for new release titles (i.e. those that have just been out in the cinema and are being released in Steelbook at the same time as they are in amaray) and for catalogue titles (older films) is quite similar. We ask ourselves a number of questions before starting discussions:

1. Is it a cool title that would offer something extra above the standard release?
2. Can we make it exclusive and premium?
3. Is it a title that people will want to buy in Steelbook? We can’t imagine anyone ever wanting a Steelbook of a teen romcom movie, regardless of whether it includes 3D!

Q-HDN: What is the most challenging aspect of moving a release from concept to the market?

A-ES: There’s no one area which is more challenging than any other to be honest – artwork selection, finish options, release date etc etc can all be difficult. It tends to vary from release to release. Everyone involved in the process, whether here at ES or at the studio, wants the same thing – a great product that people will love.

HDN: Who chooses the art and any special finish on the Steelbook? The studio or the retailer?


A-ES: It’s a bit of both really. The studio ultimately has the final say on what artwork can be used on a steelbook since they own or license the film, and they may in turn need to get the artwork signed off by the director, production company or the actors. Generally the bigger the film, the more likely someone involved in actually making the film will need to say yes or no on what artwork can be used – this is often why you see the same artwork used all over the world. It’s not the studios being lazy!

Special finishes (e.g. embossing, gloss, slip covers etc) tend to be down to time – in theory on a catalogue title this is endless, since there is no particular reason why something like Forbidden Planet needs to be released in November and not December, but other factors can influence this timing. There is a desire to have new release Steelbooks come out at the same time as their amaray counterparts, so like with Star Trek Into Darkness what we’d hope we could do we ultimately ran out of time on.

That all sounds like the studios dictate everything, and retailers like The Entertainment Store have no say in the finish product. We always try to influence the end product as much as we can and a lot of the time we go to the studio with an idea and the end product isn’t too far from that original idea (Forbidden Planet and Natural Born Killers are pretty much what we asked for). Of course, like all retailers we ultimately have the ability to say ‘no’ if we feel the release isn’t to our liking.

Q-HDN: What, to you makes a perfect Steelbook release?

A-ES: A film that you love with great artwork that captures the essence of what the film is about, with the best disc(s) that are available in the UK inside.

The UK Warner Bros. wave of classic titles that used the original poster art (e.g. Maltese Falcon) were fantastic and a great example of titles that didn’t need to be overly embossed or glossed to look gorgeous – they just used the full space available on a Steelbook to display the art well.

Q-HDN: How long does it generally take from initial discussion to production for a Steelbook?

A-ES: It varies incredibly, but at a minimum 2-3 months from the initial conversation to the finished product landing on people’s doormats.

Q-HDN: Given the significant amount of feedback our community shares daily, would you consider releasing a Steelbook where the art was designed by a member of our community?

A-ES: The short answer is yes, we would. See 2 questions up for the artwork constraints we work within though...

Q-HDN: Can you share what would be on your own ‘personal dream list’ of titles that you would love to see released in Steelbooks?

A-ES: This is a tough one, because some of the titles on our dream list here at ES are films that we hope someday we can release on steelbook ourselves! There are also a whole raft of titles that are unlikely to ever get a blu-ray release, let alone a steelbook. But, since you asked here are some suggestions from Team ES (that sadly will probably never see the light of day):

1. Baraka – the photography on this is so beautiful and varied that you could potentially do 3 or 4 steelbooks, each on a different theme from the film.
2. Team America – it’s already being released, but a version of this which uses the Russian style propaganda posters in Kim Jong Il’s palace for all of the artwork would be amazing.
3. Cross of Iron – a great Peckinpah film that has so much metal imagery in it (barbed wire, machine guns, actual Iron Crosses) it’s practically begging for a steelbook.
4. Dollars Trilogy done as individuals using character shots as the front covers. You could even do 3 steelbooks for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
5. More westerns!

Q-HDN: Is there anything else you would like to share with the community?

We’re looking forward to announcing more exclusive Steelbooks in the coming months through HDN.

HDN is a great online community, and we’re proud to work closely with you guys through our contact at Play – you’re the reason the ES sticker was created!
We’re happy to take any follow up questions you may have…

HDN: Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us. We look forward to seeing what else the Entertainment Store has planned for the months ahead.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=224296&page=2

[LGrima]

Still haven't received mine but I got a dispatch email over a week ago so will wait it out a bit more.

[csdot]

Originally Posted by yeslek

dont you mean they should have extended the black frame of the artwork to fill the embossed border?

no. i meant exactly what i said. the border is not embossed, the center of the cover is debossed. embossing is a raised design, the border is flush with the normal surface of the steelbook.

[BuckNaked2k]

I think they should have extended the front artwork to the edge of the SteelBook OR filled in the entire debossed 'frame' with the dark grey/silver. (Just a minor quibble, overall it is a magnificent design, and one of the nicest Steels I own (will own)).

[Jerec]

I think they have/had more in stock, I just had one dispatched today!

[GreenGaijin]

I like how the interior matches the Future Shop, Iron Man steelbook. The Rocketeer is the OG yo!

[yeslek]

Originally Posted by csdot

no. i meant exactly what i said. the border is not embossed, the center of the cover is debossed. embossing is a raised design, the border is flush with the normal surface of the steelbook.

um these steels are embossed, not debossed.

I've had this discussion before as I hated the border on Aladdin but loved the embossed title. It was explained that in order to get an embossed title, they have to have a bored so there is not raised part of the artwork sticking out.
Debossment doesnt give a border and is used to push selected part of artwork in towards the inside of the steel - for example Starship Troopers or The Lion King Taiwan steel

[dfoles]

Originally Posted by yeslek

um these steels are embossed, not debossed.

I've had this discussion before as I hated the border on Aladdin but loved the embossed title. It was explained that in order to get an embossed title, they have to have a bored so there is not raised part of the artwork sticking out.
Debossment doesnt give a border and is used to push selected part of artwork in towards the inside of the steel - for example Starship Troopers or The Lion King Taiwan steel

technically the whole cover then is debossed with embossing on the title..

Regardless of that, the art should've either been the full cover without the grey border, or the grey border should've been the full border to the edge of the debossing and have the artwork fill in the middle section.