Predator (1987) (Ultimate Hunter Edition)

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by nmycon

The MPEG-2 disc isn't that bad. If they had at least ported the DVD extras over, it would be a solid release.

If you refuse to watch MPEG-2, honestly don't bother with either of them... I'd rather watch minor compression artifacts than the Predator House of Wax coming to life

Not to mention the new transfer has been brightened up so much it no longer represents how it looked in theaters, DNR or not!

[BluChron]

god i love this movie and its so dumb what they did to this movie. i want to see a real improvement like fifth element and gladiator.

predator is one of the best sci-fi movies in history.

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by BluChron

god i love this movie and its so dumb what they did to this movie. i want to see a real improvement like fifth element and gladiator.

predator is one of the best sci-fi movies in history.

+1. but will Fox release a third attempt? I think the barebones release looks good. But I believe a little more can be squeezed out. Just depends if the studio thinks so.

[THGhost]

Which version of Predator is the better one? The normal one has a decent transfer but no extras and the Ultimate Hunter edition has a bad transfer but quite a few extras. I'm torn.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by THGhost

Which version of Predator is the better one? The normal one has a decent transfer but no extras and the Ultimate Hunter edition has a bad transfer but quite a few extras. I'm torn.

If you can find em cheap, you can always get them both. Got UHE at a local pawn shop new and sealed for 2 bucks, got that strictly for the supplimental materail/extras.

I have the 2008 version for home viewing, while not perfect at least it looks like film.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by THGhost

Which version of Predator is the better one? The normal one has a decent transfer but no extras and the Ultimate Hunter edition has a bad transfer but quite a few extras. I'm torn.

Buy the 2 disc DVD for the extras because it's cheaper then buy the original BD version since it is a better transfer. It doesn't really matter since all of the extras are in 480 anyway.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by raygendreau

Re why they bothered to mess with it: I believe they remastered it because they wanted to give it a 'look' that meshed with the new Predators movie, a look that would appeal to the crowd that spends hours playing video games like Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, etc. i.e. the current batch of 18 to 34male moviegoers. I agree that the remaster could be viewed as a response to complaints about the 2008 release, but was not the prime motivation for it. See Penton-man response to Bill Hunt.

"I also disagree with your premise that with this edition, Fox was responding to complaints of grain as expressed on the internet regarding the first version." https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...ml#post3450079


Some of you may have missed this Penton-Man response to Heavyhitters question about the Marcais quote back in February:

"As to Predator, all I’ll add is that don’t blame the Fox folks too much if you’re personally unhappy with the newest edition, as there are still many post houses out there claiming to have the latest and greatest grain removing tools which are capable of removing grain without detail."

If only we could get inside info from the post house that gave us UHE. i.e. What direction were they given by the studio? What could they have done if given a free reign and a fat budget?

Claiming to have an ability and actually having it are two different things.

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Claiming to have an ability and actually having it are two different things.

Agreed. The one thing people tend to forget that grain isn't just a black mark on a film that's some kind of empty void... the grain carries detail with it, and since grain is always changing from frame to frame, there's no possible way to 'remove grain' without taking away detail. It's just not possible. People have a tendency to think that grain is somehow on top of the film image, when it's really an inherent part of it. The picture is made up of grain... so how does one take it away without sacrificing quality?

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by THGhost

Which version of Predator is the better one? The normal one has a decent transfer but no extras and the Ultimate Hunter edition has a bad transfer but quite a few extras. I'm torn.

I got them both. They're not that expensive. Used one of the cases that can hold two discs and put in both paper covers in the case, one from each side, because the blu ray cases are see through. That way you have two movies in one case and it doesn't take up any extra space.

As for which one is the overall better version to get if you must only have one of them, it depends on how much the extras mean to you in general when buying movies. The UHE really does have some nice extras, but only one of them is a new one in HD, I believe. For me, the picture of the movie itself is better in the first version overall, but there are some scenes in the jungle that I prefer on the new version. Both versions have their pros and cons, that's why I got both of them in the end.

[aiman04]

Originally Posted by mzupeman

Agreed. The one thing people tend to forget that grain isn't just a black mark on a film that's some kind of empty void... the grain carries detail with it, and since grain is always changing from frame to frame, there's no possible way to 'remove grain' without taking away detail. It's just not possible. People have a tendency to think that grain is somehow on top of the film image, when it's really an inherent part of it. The picture is made up of grain... so how does one take it away without sacrificing quality?

I agree about the nature of grain in films, but it can be at least reduced without losing the details, if carefully done. Aliens is the best example of this.

[lkmg]

There are so many Predator versions? Which one is the best in terms of PQ and extras/bonus features?
- Predator, Apr 15, 2008
- Predator Ultimate Hunter Edition, Jun 29, 2010
- Predator Collection, Oct 19, 2010

[aiman04]

I vote for the first release. But where's the poll?

[DanzG]

Agreed, I own The first release and the Ultimate Hunter Edition and I strongly recommend the first release. UHE is just DNR'd to death and all detail has been washed out totally.

[DVDFreaker]

I compared both and the first release is better, what they did to the Unlimited Hunter Edition is mind boggling, that is no excuse for that mess!

[DanzG]

Yeah UHE is just really really bad. I held off on buying Predator in hopes for a better release then was excited when I heard about UHE coming out I bought it and watched it and was like... WTF! So I bought the first release right after that and was so much happier with that one. I swear FOX should had a recall for UHE and done the damn thing right.

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by DanzG

Yeah UHE is just really really bad. I held off on buying Predator in hopes for a better release then was excited when I heard about UHE coming out I bought it and watched it and was like... WTF! So I bought the first release right after that and was so much happier with that one. I swear FOX should had a recall for UHE and done the damn thing right.

I agree but I am glad they have the first release still avaiable everywhere for people to buy

[LetoAtreides82]

I have both and I prefer the Ultimate Hunter Edition. The pq in the first release is so bad that you don't really lose much with the DNR on the second one. Plus the second one has better features.

[DVDFreaker]

Originally Posted by LetoAtreides82

I have both and I prefer the Ultimate Hunter Edition. The pq in the first release is so bad that you don't really lose much with the DNR on the second one. Plus the second one has better features.

What? Different opinions...interesting...

[LetoAtreides82]

Originally Posted by DVDFreaker

What? Different opinions...interesting...

I'm pretty sure there's a thread here with a poll about which version looks better, I think I posted on it months ago. There was quite a bit of arguing about which release has the better pq.

[DanzG]

To each their own... lol If you are a fan of grain and natural looking movies go with the first release. If you like grain removal and shiny face waxy people then UHE is definitely the way to go. Really depends on your likes.