Battle Royale (2000) / Battle Royale: The Complete Collection (2000-2003)

[LuFeng]

i have the UK CE set but will still pick this up. great movie all around and highly recommend this movie.

[critterdvd]

I've been hearing about this film for years - it was even included on "required viewing" back when I was in film school, but alas I was sick with mono that week.

This will be my third blind-buy on Blu-ray I've ever made.

[GC Riot]

So there are two editions, then my question is, will the Director's Cut be included in the regular edition, or only in the Complete Collection?
I did prefer the Director's Cut and thought the added footage was good, and unlike most, I actually thought BR2 was okay as well. I will probably buy the regular edition, but it would be nice to have some clarification on the content and differences between the two sets.

[Kakihara]

Originally Posted by Post Prod

um, yeah UK set looks pretty bad. It's simply an ugly transfer. I'm glad I got it since the packaging of my limited set is simply amazing. But the actual films --- prety shabby.

Really hoping for a better version to surface A/v wise.



and there is no hyperbole to the general assessment.

There IS hyperbole because some people are saying it's as bad as Predator Ultimate Hunter Edition and Total Recall and that's just not true. I've seen much, much worse and like I mentioned before, it is presentable. Of course, it can look better but considering the sources, it will never be a reference quality release. I'll definitely consider upgrading to this new release if the transfer improves, however.

[Kakihara]

Originally Posted by Kentai

Well, just to establish how fuzzy, dark, and poor the Arrow transfers were, here's some comparisons with the Arrow Director's Cut and the Battle Royale 3D Blu-ray released this year in Japan (no subtitles and about $100 USD):

[Show spoiler]

Know that Battle Royale 3D has MAJOR flaws - scene specific DVNR, over the top contrast and saturation boosting, digital 'haze' filters and, of course, obnoxious CG gore and bullets that are one step removed from parody... honestly, as bad as the Arrow Video transfers were (and make no mistake, they are terrible), the digital "enhancements" in Battle Royale 3D are somehow so much worse.

I don't recommend anyone spends a hundred bucks on Toei's monstrosity, but it does give us a peek at how much sharper, brighter, and overall nicer the film COULD have looked. There's a reference transfer struggling to get out of this 12 year old negative, but I fear if this is how Toei wants to re-release it, we're never going to see it...

Ok, you have a point on the flaws of Arrow's transfer but there is not a reference transfer struggling to get out of the negative. No way. It just wasn't filmed with that in mind.

[DeeEmEcks]

Great news about these movies. While I didn't like II close to as much as the first, I think I'll spring for the complete collection. I will at least want to see II again once or twice, as I don't remember it as well (maybe a good thing).

Regardless, great to get this movie a release here!

[nelly_platinum]

i remember when anchorbay used to make some awesome limited/collectible releases,would like one for this release

[Jay444]

Originally Posted by Kakihara

There IS hyperbole because some people are saying it's as bad as Predator Ultimate Hunter Edition and Total Recall and that's just not true. I've seen much, much worse and like I mentioned before, it is presentable. Of course, it can look better but considering the sources, it will never be a reference quality release. I'll definitely consider upgrading to this new release if the transfer improves, however.

I agree. You are certainly right that this will never be a reference quality release, and I don't think the transfer will be any better than the UK version. It might even be the same transfer, who knows? I was overall pleased with the UK set in terms of PQ/AQ and thought the extras/packaging were pretty darned impressive. But I don't see myself double dipping.

However, if anyone is on the fence about this release and didn't pick it up from the UK...um..hit that ORDER button! Its a great movie (sequel sorta sucks, but the original is amazing).

[tigertron]

The PQ and AQ are pretty decent considering how it was filmed.

The extras in the LE are simply first class. Its what any LE/CE/SE should aspire to be.

[Piollo]

Will be picking up this for sure, great news, thanks

[Kentai]

Originally Posted by Kakihara

Ok, you have a point on the flaws of Arrow's transfer but there is not a reference transfer struggling to get out of the negative. No way. It just wasn't filmed with that in mind.

All I mean by a 'reference transfer' is a video transfer that accurately reflects the film negative, regardless of how it was shot. I agree that Battle Royale is never going to look like Avatar or Moulin Rouge or whatever, it's just not something you'd associate with modern minded eye candy - and that's fine. I don't expect it to.

We can still ask for a transfer that isn't too dark or processed with heavy DVNR, right? If that's what we get from Anchor Bay, I'll gladly buy the film again.

[Dragon Lee]

If this release manages to top the UK LE set (NTSC extras, better transfer, space saving packaging, etc.) then I might just let go of my UK set. as cool as the packaging is, UK set is too bulky, too tall, and I cant even watch the bonus features disc. I also dont care much for all the included swag.

[dickdarlington]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lee

I cant even watch the bonus features disc

Do you have a:

• Computer with DVD-ROM drive?
• XBOX 360?

You can watch a region free PAL disc in either of them.

[THGhost]

Sounds like a waste of time and money if the only new thing we're getting is Battle Royale II, which is a pile of garbage by the way.

Will this new release include a new video transfer for the first film? I thought the UK Collector's Edition's transfer was rather shoddy to be perfectly honest.

[nelly_platinum]

Originally Posted by THGhost

Sounds like a waste of time and money if the only new thing we're getting is Battle Royale II, which is a pile of garbage by the way.

Will this new release include a new video transfer for the first film? I thought the UK Collector's Edition's transfer was rather shoddy to be perfectly honest.

honestly i thought it was a good release,and so cheap when first released

[newginafets]

Originally Posted by mediocre

I love the first film but have heard absolutely horrible things about the sequel. Still worth buying the Complete Collection for the extras?

I still enjoyed the 2nd one

[mpm74]

Artwork for the U.S. release are now available.

Standalone artwork available as well (links off the story).

=D Of course, it is subject to change. Seen it happen a lot.

[lolwut]

Thanks! I pre-ordered the 4-disc collection under the assumption that the single disc would be bare bones. Looks like the collection is going to have the extras as well as the sequel. I may have to buy the single-disc as well since the pic looks incredibly awesome.

[Kakihara]

I wonder if it'll have different special features from the UK LE set? If it doesn't, then I may just spring for the single disc release if it turns out to have better PQ and comparable AQ to the UK one. If it has all new features and looks better, then the major hurdle will be having to take on the putrid sequel. Maybe it will just have some new features and look the same...in which case, I won't feel the urge to get it. Decisions, decisions! Oh well, it's a waiting game for me at this point.

[cartman781]

I just watched the 1st one today for the 1st time and loved it. I will pick it up for sure. Is part 2 really that bad?