Rambo 4K UHD (2008)

[Khronikos]

Got to say here I really honestly prefer the warm and blown out look of the film on the normal BD, but the UHD theatrical looks pretty good and balanced I guess. Blown out a bit is how it looked in theaters for me too, and it's hard to accept some of the other looks. I'll definitely get the UHD at some point, but it doesn't really seem like something I much need.

The color timings are just ALL OVER the place man. Holy cow.

A little extra softness might actually be better for things like CG blood though. Altogether it looks like a decent upgrade or sidegrade I guess.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

I'm liking the look of this.

The added grain and softness makes it feel more like an 80's action film. Also, the CG blood looks a little less obvious.

I don't remember this one looking soft in the theater. I don't remember much about the colors but it was pretty sharp/digital looking.

[notops]

Originally Posted by Brian81

I don't remember this one looking soft in the theater. I don't remember much about the colors but it was pretty sharp/digital looking.

That's odd considering it was shot on film

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by notops

That's odd considering it was shot on film

What I'm saying more is that it had a sharp look to it, not diffused glow looking like a 35mm print in a theater.


All the caps I see for this one at Caps a Holic look like they were softened.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Brian81

What I'm saying more is that it had a sharp look to it, not diffused glow looking like a 35mm print in a theater.


All the caps I see for this one at Caps a Holic look like they were softened.

That isn't far from the truth when it comes to what the UHD was mostly mastered from, hence the look.

[notops]

Originally Posted by Brian81

What I'm saying more is that it had a sharp look to it, not diffused glow looking like a 35mm print in a theater.


All the caps I see for this one at Caps a Holic look like they were softened.

Unless one saw it in 35mm, as I did back in '08

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by notops

That's odd considering it was shot on film

Yes, but it can be timed in such a way that it looks more like digital capture especially if DNR is used to reduce or eliminate visible film grain.

[stigdu]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Well, whenever I buy a new disc I sell the previous one. I can only ever watch one version/edition of a film, so I choose the best one. Even if that means making customs. I'm not really "a collector" like many on here. I'm just a film fan with a nice collection.

Same here, Mark. I just don't have the space or wherewithal to own multiple copies of movies.

I would say if you have a 4k TV and are Atmos-capable, then this is a worthy upgrade, myself.

[Darthbooth1978]

Gave this a spin last night, been a while but forgot how much of a great ride this movie is!

[KilljoyEX]

Well it’s 2:38am and just finished this. What an audio track and mix!! The thunder through the height channels, sooooo loud! When Stallone set the booby trap literally felt like I was in the middle and when the wind gust followed the imaging was insane I felt swept up in it. The ending was so intense I felt like I was in the middle of war that had me feeling like I was being hit from everywhere. Listening at -6 from reference. Didn’t need to raise my subwoofer levels or anything. Loud and aggressive. Pure bliss.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by stigdu

Same here, Mark. I just don't have the space or wherewithal to own multiple copies of movies.

Shelf space is now at a premium.

I would say if you have a 4k TV and are Atmos-capable, then this is a worthy upgrade, myself.

4K TV? Yes! Atamos? No! I don't even have a surround system. I listen to my discs thru headphones plugged into the TV (thru a converter as LG thoughtlessly didn't supply a direct jack).

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by KilljoyEX

I felt like I was in the middle of war that had me feeling like I was being hit from everywhere. Listening at -6 from reference. Didn’t need to raise my subwoofer levels or anything. Loud and aggressive. Pure bliss.

This is utterly the case. My theater system has three strategically placed subwoofers of varying size and design (both forward and downward firing) which are notched to cover different, specific ranges of the LFE, and each hits in a different manner. My forward mains and rear surrounds include, among other things, 9" woofers and fairly aggressive porting. Whereas Godzilla 2014 is a revelation in earth-shaking, spectacular devastation that will shift the contents of your colon and give you goosebumps, this film is an all-out relentless, punishing cacophony of mechanized mayhem, that makes you feel like you've actually gone through each of the furious, sonorous action sequences in person. You exquisitely feel every blast, burst, concussion, thud, and crunch, from every possible direction. It's hard to find a more engaging, immersive, dynamic action film soundtrack, and it's a big reason why I love the film so much. The 4k disc is a killer, but the blu ray discs are absolutely no slouch either and will leave you with largely the same impression minus the overheads, depending on your HT system. If you revel in the swirling, jarring din of Saving Private Ryan's chaotic combat sequences, then you'll love this even more bombastic soundtrack.

[Alister_M]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Shelf space is now at a premium.



4K TV? Yes! Atamos? No! I don't even have a surround system. I listen to my discs thru headphones plugged into the TV (thru a converter as LG thoughtlessly didn't supply a direct jack).

If your UHD player has Bluetooth capability, you could always upgrade to some BT headphones. At the very least you'll experience far less signal degradation.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by Alister_M

If your UHD player has Bluetooth capability, you could always upgrade to some BT headphones. At the very least you'll experience far less signal degradation.

It's something I may consider for the future.

[KilljoyEX]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

The 4k disc is a killer, but the blu ray discs are absolutely no slouch either and will leave you with largely the same impression minus the overheads, depending on your HT system. If you revel in the swirling, jarring din of Saving Private Ryan's chaotic combat sequences, then you'll love this even more bombastic soundtrack.

Well said. I had meant to type the “thunder” not the “morning”. Wow. So cool.

[DaylightsEnd]

I know many movie fans don't necessarily have the desire, or possibly the right living environment or circumstances, for a full HT setup they can crank up. But without it, you really can't know the full extent of the upgrade and cinematic value that newer blu rays and 4k discs can actually represent. Without experiencing the audio content, you're leaving so much of the overall product experience on the table, and it can change the way you view the release, rather than just grading it on the PQ alone. Even the drastic step up from old lossy audio tracks on older blu rays to basic lossless audio can be a shocking revelation on a good system.

Thankfully in this case, the old Rambo blus were already plenty healthy in that regard. Because if the old discs had weak audio, one could more willingly look past the video missteps of the new release, and it would be worth it just to have this audio track. Which, frankly, it still is. Rambo 4 is one of those movies you really have go listen to on a properly tuned HT system in order to fully appreciate the sound engineering that also went into this production.

[stigdu]

I wish I lived in a detached place sometimes, or had less sensitive hearing, but although I have Atmos speakers and a half decent subwoofer, I *very* rarely listen to movies louder than - 35 as it's just too loud for my ears /the sleeping kids/the neighbours.

I see some of you lot as being like those who go to rock concerts and like to be as close to the front as possible.

[trekky76]

Originally Posted by stigdu

I wish I lived in a detached place sometimes, or had less sensitive hearing, but although I have Atmos speakers and a half decent subwoofer, I *very* rarely listen to movies louder than - 35 as it's just too loud for my ears /the sleeping kids/the neighbours.

I see some of you lot as being like those who go to rock concerts and like to be as close to the front as possible.

Same here. I also think I care too much to terrorize my neighbors.
Definitely not part of the louder is better crowd. And I feel the same about music nowdays. The loudness war has ruined most modern music for me.

[DaylightsEnd]

I'm not at all advocating sheer volume causing discomfort. In fact, I've been in movie theaters where the film was cranked so loud I didn't enjoy myself. Part of the key to a good HT sound system properly set up for the space it is housed in, is the extent to which it is convincingly immersive, clear, and balanced, giving you the entire range of frequencies and dynamics from the presentation, exactly as intended by the production team, without having to be ear-piercing loud. The producer and director want you to see AND hear the movie how they intended for you to experience it. I want to feel my movie, but not feel oppressed by it. Properly sized and tuned subs and woofers help greatly in achieving that goal. Having a decent ht setup does not indicate an intent to be obnoxious. You just turn the volume knob to suit your tastes and mood. I actually dislike film audio with frequent drastic volume swings that have me turning it up to hear the dialogue and then scrambling for my remote constantly to keep from being randomly assaulted.

I also love occasionally being startled by sudden voices, sounds, etc that are so clear and convincing, and difficult to pinpoint, that they don't even seem to be part of the movie. On some stellar presentations, I catch myself turning my head to look for sound sources, and just smile to myself......You got me! Something whispering near your ear, gunfire tangibly traversing the soundstage, passing vehicles emanating a decaying soundwave trail, helicopter rotors whirring competely around the soundstage, doors creaking and clicking, foliage and twigs snapping and rustling, voices shouting in the distance....so clear and real you'd swear you're in the midst of it all. It's even more critical in horror movies than action films, the subtleties that create the atmosphere, the sometimes eerie or gorgeous musical score, much of which is not at all loud or boisterous, other than the the typical jump-scare fodder. It's all a crucial part of the sonic art of the filmcraft, not an effort in volatility or senseless rowdiness unless that was a certain film's intention. And of course, jet engines, battle rifles and 50mm cannonfire are legitimately loud!

[brainofj72]

Being able to get a surround system is probably the single biggest reason I want to get out of apartment living, haha.