D.A.R.Y.L. coming from Fabulous Films

[x5gb]

Just got this, and lets just say i'm disappointed. Cannot believe they've used the same old ancient transfer used for hdtv and streaming for the last ten years, not really suitable for a proper bluray release. They couldn't even attempt to clean up the opticals at the beginning which are full of print damage (was really looking forward to the hopeful absence of that), pure laziness on both Paramount and Fabulous's part. That on top of them not including subtitles.

On further viewing the print damage at the beginning is exasperated by the added bonus of EE and later in the film what looks to be DNR giving an electronic feel to everything. Think I'll stick to watching my Amazon one.

[AmishParadise]

Originally Posted by x5gb

Just got this, and lets just say i'm disappointed. Cannot believe they've used the same old ancient transfer used for hdtv and streaming for the last ten years, not really suitable for a proper bluray release. They couldn't even attempt to clean up the opticals at the beginning which are full of print damage (was really looking forward to the hopeful absence of that), pure laziness on both Paramount and Fabulous's part. That on top of them not including subtitles.

On further viewing the print damage at the beginning is exasperated by the added bonus of EE and later in the film what looks to be DNR giving an electronic feel to everything. Think I'll stick to watching my Amazon one.

Shame to hear a proper Blu-ray treatment wasn't given to this. I purchased the iTunes 1080p download recently re-authoring to Blu-ray. Pretty pathetic if the Fabulous Films release of this doesn't best the 4GB iTunes download. I'll have to watch both and chime back in. Should have the Fabulous release within the week.

[x5gb]

The Amazon is better than the iTunes which due to the poor compression is very soft and lacking in detail. The bluray on the other hand has EE applied and maybe DNR. At the end of the day though they all rely on the same shoddy transfer.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by x5gb

pure laziness on both Paramount and Fabulous's part.

I very much doubt Fabulous does the remastering for its releases, just the distribution. They buy these films and then the film studio, in this case Paramount, give them what they got. Same goes with Universal. Fabulous can't correct any issues with Quantum Leap for instance because that's Universal.

[x5gb]

That does not excuse them from releasing an ancient hdtv master with added EE. Other labels that actually care about what they release would of turned this down flat without a remaster. No worries, as said, I'll stick with my Amazon copy (can't stand that electronic looking EE) until someone else hopefully releases it and demands a remaster.

[Member-167298]

Originally Posted by pferreira

You were expecting The Jetsons to appear in the movie?

For a kid that is only five years old, that VHS cover art was pure bait-and-switch.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

SS obtained this master from Sony, as they own international rights. Paramount owns it in the US, and opening logos aside, the Sony and Paramount masters are likely from the same IP source. The Paramount HD master looks soft and grainy while the Sony master is an older one (probably the same used for their region 2 DVD releases) with EE.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

For a kid that is only five years old, that VHS cover art was pure bait-and-switch.

Reminds me of the time I rented out the Ghostbusters cartoon series but when popping the VHS in was shocked and also disappointed to see a cartoon series featuring two university students with their pet gorilla being chased by ghosts. Now THAT was a mistake on my part.

[Ben_R]

Any updates on the PQ with the release?

[x5gb]

Read my comments above, no need for updates.

[Eusthenopteron]

I just watched this for the first time in 30 years. Got to say the film stands up way better to the test of time than I expected. I really enjoyed it.

Yes the transfer is not the best but it’s far from the worst I have seen too. Overall it’s serviceable. The damage to the print at the start was a little sad to see but it did not ruin the experience for me. Some of the scenes at the family home seemed to have an almost sepia quality. I am unsure if that was intended but it actually added to the sense of nostalgia for me in watching the film.

Would love to see a better treatment of the film one day but this release overall seems perfectly acceptable to me for now. It’s great to own this little gem once again.

[superunknown80]

Originally Posted by Eusthenopteron

I just watched this for the first time in 30 years. Got to say the film stands up way better to the test of time than I expected. I really enjoyed it.

Yes the transfer is not the best but it’s far from the worst I have seen too. Overall it’s serviceable. The damage to the print at the start was a little sad to see but it did not ruin the experience for me. Some of the scenes at the family home seemed to have an almost sepia quality. I am unsure if that was intended but it actually added to the sense of nostalgia for me in watching the film.

Would love to see a better treatment of the film one day but this release overall seems perfectly acceptable to me for now. It’s great to own this little gem once again.

Wish granted. Vinegar Syndrome to the rescue with a 4k