First Blood / Rambo: First Blood Part II / Rambo III 4K UHDs (1982-1988)

[batman2000]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

He started telling us about this release basically in the earliest stages. That kind of thing doesn't come together overnight, especially not if they are doing remastering/restoration/tweaks/etc. and it's happening across multiple films.

I'd imagine it's the kind of thing that would be held until later in the year also, perhaps to coincide with a tie-in like the release of EXPENDABLES 4, which doesn't open until September.

So July or August or fall/winter.

[Cliff]

Originally Posted by batman2000

So July or August or fall/winter.

The only reason I leaked that we were working on this so early was so that people could stop debating which was the best bad version of the original trilogy to buy on 4K. But just because the transfers are done doesn't mean the work is done. Especially since what we're fixing and improving is stuff messed up in the transfers. The transfers are the beginning of the work not the end. So while you may think the transfer means work on the project is over...

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by batman2000

So July or August or fall/winter.

Either Fall/winter or Spring/summer...

[hoejunter]

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Cliff

The only reason I leaked that we were working on this so early was so that people could stop debating which was the best bad version of the original trilogy to buy on 4K. But just because the transfers are done doesn't mean the work is done. Especially since what we're fixing and improving is stuff messed up in the transfers. The transfers are the beginning of the work not the end. So while you may think the transfer means work on the project is over...

You do know that this won't stop matey from wondering when it's coming, or if it even exists and it's just a figment of your imagination, right?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by batman2000

So July or August or fall/winter.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by paulboland

In regards to replacement UHD and Pet Slip for the UK 40th Anniversary SteelBook
StudioCanal UK started to ship replacements a week ago to customers who contacted them by email.
Info.scuk@studiocanal.com

Some UK customers have had delivery already of the replacement UHD and Pet Slip

I still waiting on mine to be delivered as I'm based in Republic of Ireland

Amazon UK is selling the UK 40th Anniversary SteelBook it had a re-release on March 6th 2023
This re-release is meant to have corrected UHD disc and Pet Slip
Amazon link for the re-release from March 6th 2023
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rambo-Anniv.../dp/B0BTZBDD3G

I assume Amazon UK have stock of the reissue from March 6th 2023 and not stock from November 2022

I received my replacement Pet Slip and 4K disc today—both minty fresh and lovely. I can verify the missing bonus features are restored as advertised at last!

[Russhole]

Happy 35th Anniversary Rambo III!

[jordanjabroni]

Recently picked up the StudioCanal 2018 Restored Blu Rays for the trilogy.

Firstly, the cover art is absolutely gorgeous. Unlike most 'new' Blu Ray artwork (*cough* Arrow *cough*), I really like what they did here, creating something that looks like the vintage Eighties posters while making something 'uniform' across all three movies. By contrast, I think the artwork on those US Lionsgate equivalents is awful.

Anyway - back to my question (and the reason I registered here!)

I went back and compared these to the Rambo Trilogy 2002 StudioCanal DVDs, mainly to see how different the colour grading is. Unsurprisingly, the teal levels are non-existent in those SD releases.

There are two specific scenes in First Blood and Part II that irk me on the Blu Ray - I assume they're the same for the 4K UHD using the same restored transfer.

In First Blood, when Rambo is first being arrested, his reaction shots before he puts his hands on the car are much darker than the wide shots. This is not an issue on the DVD.

In Part II, when Rambo has Murdock over the table and slams the knife down by his head, the shots of Murdock change wildly in colour tone and grading. His skin goes almost purple after the knife hits. Again, this is not an issue on the DVD and Murdock looks consistently the same before and after the knife slam.

If a new set is coming...

a) Will these issues be fixed?
and
b) Will they come to Blu Ray as well, for those of us still not 4K ready?

[johnnyringo7]

Originally Posted by jordanjabroni

Recently picked up the StudioCanal 2018 Restored Blu Rays for the trilogy.

Firstly, the cover art is absolutely gorgeous. Unlike most 'new' Blu Ray artwork (*cough* Arrow *cough*), I really like what they did here, creating something that looks like the vintage Eighties posters while making something 'uniform' across all three movies. By contrast, I think the artwork on those US Lionsgate equivalents is awful.

Anyway - back to my question (and the reason I registered here!)

I went back and compared these to the Rambo Trilogy 2002 StudioCanal DVDs, mainly to see how different the colour grading is. Unsurprisingly, the teal levels are non-existent in those SD releases.

There are two specific scenes in First Blood and Part II that irk me on the Blu Ray - I assume they're the same for the 4K UHD using the same restored transfer.

In First Blood, when Rambo is first being arrested, his reaction shots before he puts his hands on the car are much darker than the wide shots. This is not an issue on the DVD.

In Part II, when Rambo has Murdock over the table and slams the knife down by his head, the shots of Murdock change wildly in colour tone and grading. His skin goes almost purple after the knife hits. Again, this is not an issue on the DVD and Murdock looks consistently the same before and after the knife slam.

If a new set is coming...

a) Will these issues be fixed?
and
b) Will they come to Blu Ray as well, for those of us still not 4K ready?

Love color grade on First Blood: Part II and Rambo III.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by jordanjabroni

a) Will these issues be fixed?
and
b) Will they come to Blu Ray as well, for those of us still not 4K ready?

They're not issues because the DVD was not accurate. It is not a basis for comparison for what the movie "should" look like, if you get me. DVDs usually had a warm push for example, so newer masters often look "cooler" in comparison.

The 4k with HDR will likely have a more nuanced color palette that doesn't bother you as much, when you upgrade. A lot of recent masters are made for 4k with HDR and when put on a BD don't look quite right. Also exaggerated color grading can often be a side effect of lowering the color space, and it will look more nuanced with a wide color gamut.

[LMFAObros]

Watched first blood and thought it looked really good. I like the Color grade quite a lot

[Cholly]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

They're not issues because the DVD was not accurate. It is not a basis for comparison for what the movie "should" look like, if you get me. DVDs usually had a warm push for example, so newer masters often look "cooler" in comparison.

The 4k with HDR will likely have a more nuanced color palette that doesn't bother you as much, when you upgrade. A lot of recent masters are made for 4k with HDR and when put on a BD don't look quite right. Also exaggerated color grading can often be a side effect of lowering the color space, and it will look more nuanced with a wide color gamut.

Im just itching to not have that weak ass Eclair grade anymore and finally get some black levels back in this mofo. If theres one thing that drives me crazy its when black looks grey or god forbid, purple. Ruins the whole thing!

[StingingVelvet]

They definitely have weak blacks, I don't think anyone would debate that.

[SMD88]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

So what are they considering the error? The fact that it says RAMBO, not FIRST BLOOD? If so, fair enough, but since the Steel itself has the right title, I wasn’t too fussed. Not that I’ll turn down a replacement for that, too.

Ha, I refused to buy the AUS BDs years ago because the morons insist on calling First Blood "RAMBO First Blood". Bought the UK BDs from amazon.co.uk (in the good old days when we COULD). UHDs not only have lame covers here, but yet again they called First Blood "RAMBO First Blood". I bought them, but nice to know I can replace them eventually. A nice big (quality) box set, I hope. UHD boxes have been pretty lame in quality.

Things like "Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior" piss me off more, because we have an AUSTRALIAN release of an AUSTRALIAN film with idiotic US name, but the Rambo thing irritates me, too.

Much like "Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc", "Star Wars Episode IV, V, VI" etc.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by SMD88

Things like "Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior" piss me off more, because we have an AUSTRALIAN release of an AUSTRALIAN film with idiotic US name, but the Rambo thing irritates me, too.

In the US it was just The Road Warrior, because Mad Max barely registered here until later. So not sure what you mean here.

[johnnyringo7]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

They definitely have weak blacks, I don't think anyone would debate that.

Undoubtedly, especially the first film, where they really are very milky. In FB Part II and Rambo III, the black levels are a bit better but still not deep, and in these two movies it's not annoying in my opinion (Cinematic black levels).

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

In the US it was just The Road Warrior, because Mad Max barely registered here until later. So not sure what you mean here.

He means that because it was renamed The Road Warrior in the US that name has stuck to all subsequent releases globally. So even though it's an Aussie film they now call it Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior instead of simply Mad Max 2 - it's original title.

Originally Posted by johnnyringo7

Undoubtedly, especially the first film, where they really are very milky. In FB Part II and Rambo III, the black levels are a bit better but still not deep, and in these two movies it's not annoying in my opinion (Cinematic black levels).

I thought they all looked naff.

Looking forward to hopefully the definitive editions.

I'll even put up with The Last Blood if they get the other four spot on.

[Ben_UK]

Didnt someone say these were being re-released with DV? Has that happened?

[GRSN]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

Didnt someone say these were being re-released with DV? Has that happened?

No, not yet.

source: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=2548