Skyscraper 3D Blu-ray (2018) [Region Free]

[ryanmcv]

Very strange to see Universal start suddenly releasing 3D Blu-rays again. Not sure why they suddenly had a change of heart, but I'm not complaining.

[UFAlien]

I was surprised to see Stereo D credited as the sole 3D conversion company. This is the worst work of theirs I've seen in a long time. I had assumed while watching it that at least some of the conversion was done by Southbay or some other low-rent company.

Most of the movie is quite shallow, and in several shots where two people are having a conversation, with one out of focus in the foreground and the other in focus in the background, there's little if any spacing between the two. The sculpting of hair and faces across the board in this film is quite poor. I noticed a good deal more conversion errors than usual, and while most were minor, the sheer frequency of them was quite surprising. It definitely seems like they compromised on the time and effort spent on paint/fill-in work.

There are a handful of scenes, or really, shots, where the camera will be looking straight up or down - an elevator shaft, the mega-crane, the edge of the building, etc., often with Dwayne Johnson in some precarious position - where the depth really amps up and becomes quite strong. But it's only in these shots which were specifically designed to induce vertigo. For the entire rest of the movie it seems as though the filmmakers didn't care about 3D at all, and Stereo D skimped on the conversion accordingly.

Other than the handful of vertigo shots, which are admittedly pretty effective on their own, the rest of the movie only offers some guns held slightly out of the screen and the occasional out-of-screen particles like snow or embers. Nothing else about the cinematography suggests 3D was a real consideration, and the lack of depth and quality control on Stereo D's part makes me feel like this was done on the quick between "more important" projects.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

I was surprised to see Stereo D credited as the sole 3D conversion company. This is the worst work of theirs I've seen in a long time. I had assumed while watching it that at least some of the conversion was done by Southbay or some other low-rent company.

Most of the movie is quite shallow, and in several shots where two people are having a conversation, with one out of focus in the foreground and the other in focus in the background, there's little if any spacing between the two. The sculpting of hair and faces across the board in this film is quite poor. I noticed a good deal more conversion errors than usual, and while most were minor, the sheer frequency of them was quite surprising. It definitely seems like they compromised on the time and effort spent on paint/fill-in work.

There are a handful of scenes, or really, shots, where the camera will be looking straight up or down - an elevator shaft, the mega-crane, the edge of the building, etc., often with Dwayne Johnson in some precarious position - where the depth really amps up and becomes quite strong. But it's only in these shots which were specifically designed to induce vertigo. For the entire rest of the movie it seems as though the filmmakers didn't care about 3D at all, and Stereo D skimped on the conversion accordingly.

Other than the handful of vertigo shots, which are admittedly pretty effective on their own, the rest of the movie only offers some guns held slightly out of the screen and the occasional out-of-screen particles like snow or embers. Nothing else about the cinematography suggests 3D was a real consideration, and the lack of depth and quality control on Stereo D's part makes me feel like this was done on the quick between "more important" projects.

Detailed, helpful review, thanks UFAlien. Good to hear there were at least some stronger shots despite most of the film sounding like milder 3D with lots of conversion errors from your details.

Originally Posted by TravelSteveR

We saw it last night. The movie is enjoyable, but the 3D is minimal--some debris here; some sparks there. I was expecting 3D similar to The Rock's San Andreas, but this is nowhere near that level. On the positive side, the film will solidify Duane Johnson as THE go-to action movie star. He gets better in each film--not just in the action scenes but in the non-physical ones as well. Yes, the film is derivative of both the first Die Hard and The Towering Inferno (more the former than the latter), but it has a few twists along the way that allow it to reach beyond those films' shadows and carve its own niche. Add to that a pretty cool setting, and it's a good popcorn-muncher for summer 2018.

Thanks TravelSteveR for the review. Cool to hear the movie is entertaining.
As the trailer's low medium 3D suggested, disappointing to hear most of the film has milder 3D.

Yes, the 3D in San Andreas was good, with mostly medium 3D layers, and a good number of high medium 3D moments too.

[Creed]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

I was surprised to see Stereo D credited as the sole 3D conversion company. This is the worst work of theirs I've seen in a long time. I had assumed while watching it that at least some of the conversion was done by Southbay or some other low-rent company.

Most of the movie is quite shallow, and in several shots where two people are having a conversation, with one out of focus in the foreground and the other in focus in the background, there's little if any spacing between the two. The sculpting of hair and faces across the board in this film is quite poor. I noticed a good deal more conversion errors than usual, and while most were minor, the sheer frequency of them was quite surprising. It definitely seems like they compromised on the time and effort spent on paint/fill-in work.

There are a handful of scenes, or really, shots, where the camera will be looking straight up or down - an elevator shaft, the mega-crane, the edge of the building, etc., often with Dwayne Johnson in some precarious position - where the depth really amps up and becomes quite strong. But it's only in these shots which were specifically designed to induce vertigo. For the entire rest of the movie it seems as though the filmmakers didn't care about 3D at all, and Stereo D skimped on the conversion accordingly.

Other than the handful of vertigo shots, which are admittedly pretty effective on their own, the rest of the movie only offers some guns held slightly out of the screen and the occasional out-of-screen particles like snow or embers. Nothing else about the cinematography suggests 3D was a real consideration, and the lack of depth and quality control on Stereo D's part makes me feel like this was done on the quick between "more important" projects.

Oh shit. Thanks for the review.

Now I'm really reconsidering watching the movie in the format.

[vinnie97]

Amazon's crazytown pricing gives me great pause in preordering, as it's quite a waste of GCs especially given the early impressions.

Walmart has the same product (confirmed with an ASIC to UPC conversion) for a more tolerable price ($33.42): https://www.walmart.com/ip/Skyscrape...Copy/250041150

[Abriel004]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Skyscraper 3D Blu-ray

If Universal expect this to succeed on home video, they'll allow stores like Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, Walmart and Target to carry the Blu-Ray 3D in addition to Amazon.com

Making this an Amazon.com exclusive is a huge mistake.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by Creed

Oh shit. Thanks for the review.

Now I'm really reconsidering watching the movie in the format.

I hear what you're saying. The movie could be entertaining, but I have great hesitation about the 3D from the reviews, and from the low medium, milder 3D trailer I saw before Ant-Man 2 3D; which was amazing in 3D. I don't want to reward cheap, weak conversions because then they'll keep making more of them, punishing the 3D fan. I can't say that's the case here until I see the full film in 3D, but from what I see and hear, it's not looking promising for the 3D going beyond mild to low medium 3D most times. I don't like when they go cheap with the 3D, especially a movie with tall heights that could shine with stronger 3D, as with The Walk's skyscraper sequences.

Originally Posted by vinnie97

Amazon's crazytown pricing gives me great pause in preordering, as it's quite a waste of GCs especially given the early impressions.

Walmart has the same product (confirmed with an ASIC to UPC conversion) for a more tolerable price ($33.42): https://www.walmart.com/ip/Skyscrape...Copy/250041150

I can imagine that price will drop to 27.99 by release week. They almost always drop it. Except for King Arthur. That was about $42 on release week I remember. Same with Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D at best buy at $46. That's too much for one movie. I could buy 2 or 3 new disc movies instead.

Originally Posted by Abriel004

If Universal expect this to succeed on home video, they'll allow stores like Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, Walmart and Target to carry the Blu-Ray 3D in addition to Amazon.com

Making this an Amazon.com exclusive is a huge mistake.

Agreed. They should expand the range.

[vinnie97]

^Oh dear, I wasn't on the 3D-buying trigger finger when those 2 were released. The prices did eventually drop fortunately for King Arthur at least.

[CelluloidPal]

I might've gotten a different version or something because the 3D was medium to strong to me. Medium in others scenes and strong with the scenes involving The Pearl and the opening sequence.
I was lucky enough to find a theater that does projection right. The screen was bright and sharp. I'm guessing that might've had something to do with it.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I might've gotten a different version or something because the 3D was medium to strong to me. Medium in others scenes and strong with the scenes involving The Pearl and the opening sequence.
I was lucky enough to find a theater that does projection right. The screen was bright and sharp. I'm guessing that might've had something to do with it.

Thanks for the details CelluloidPal. Which scenes would you say were strong in the film? Any that really stood out? And which ones would you say were medium, any mild shots? Either way, glad you enjoyed the experience. Is there a movie's 3D you would say this is comparable to?

Yes, the brightness and contrast when set higher by the theater, make a nice difference in letting the 3D stand out (Cinemark) more compared to a low contrast, dim screen as seen at Regal Theaters that I've been to for example.

At least from the Skyscraper trailer I saw in theaters, I saw low medium layers, with some medium 3D. Then Ant Man and the Wasp started in 3D and holy crow, what a difference I noticed.

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I might've gotten a different version or something because the 3D was medium to strong to me. Medium in others scenes and strong with the scenes involving The Pearl and the opening sequence.
I was lucky enough to find a theater that does projection right. The screen was bright and sharp. I'm guessing that might've had something to do with it.

I highly doubt there are two different versions playing in 3D. My theatre recently got new projectors and the projection was excellent as well. Ultimately descriptions like "strong, medium, mild" 3D are completely subjective. This is far from the first time people have had wildly divergent opinions of the 3D in the same film on here. I'm glad you got more enjoyment from it than I did.

[Hardkore]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

I might've gotten a different version or something because the 3D was medium to strong to me. Medium in others scenes and strong with the scenes involving The Pearl and the opening sequence.
I was lucky enough to find a theater that does projection right. The screen was bright and sharp. I'm guessing that might've had something to do with it.

I agree,my showing was pretty much medium to medium-strong with some strongs shots from time to time.

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Thanks for the details CelluloidPal. Which scenes would you say were strong in the film? Any that really stood out? And which ones would you say were medium, any mild shots? Either way, glad you enjoyed the experience. Is there a movie's 3D you would say this is comparable to?

For medium I would say interior shots with mainly dialog. The stronger scenes would be certain action scenes (usually outside of the building) and the vertigo like induced moments.

[Jay Ellis]

I saw this yesterday. 3d is the way to see this, trust me. The vertical downward shots are the strong 3d shots while the rest is mostly medium 3d. The movie has great special effects and good action. It's a solid, popcorn flick. I'll be picking up the 3d blu-ray day one if available .

[vinnie97]

Amacon must be feeling the heat. They recently lowered their price to $33.42 to match Walmart, which is still the better deal with free shipping.

[Damon1281]

If you like popcorn and you are watching a flick, when isn't it a popcorn flick?

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by Hardkore

I agree,my showing was pretty much medium to medium-strong with some strongs shots from time to time.



For medium I would say interior shots with mainly dialog. The stronger scenes would be certain action scenes (usually outside of the building) and the vertigo like induced moments.

Cool, thanks Hardkore for the details on the better 3D shots.

Originally Posted by Jay Ellis

I saw this yesterday. 3d is the way to see this, trust me. The vertical downward shots are the strong 3d shots while the rest is mostly medium 3d. The movie has great special effects and good action. It's a solid, popcorn flick. I'll be picking up the 3d blu-ray day one if available .

So this sounds a little more hopeful for the 3D. That's good to hear. Thanks Jay.

[emailking]

Originally Posted by Damon1281

If you like popcorn and you are watching a flick, when isn't it a popcorn flick?

I just hate calling movies "flicks."

Calling them "films" bothers me too, but not as much as flicks.

Some popcorn's fine, as long as it's lightly salted and unbuttered. The movie theater stuff is borderline poison. That should be a *very* occasional treat.

[Damon1281]

Originally Posted by emailking

I just hate calling movies "flicks."

Calling them "films" bothers me too, but not as much as flicks.

Some popcorn's fine, as long as it's lightly salted and unbuttered. The movie theater stuff is borderline poison. That should be a *very* occasional treat.

That's crazy, I use as much as a stick of butter for one movie ( and plenty of salt as well) I think of popcorn as an excuse to eat butter.

[keefelc]

Best Buy is now taking preorders for the 3D blu-ray with an October 9, 2018 release date.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/skyscra...?skuId=6287043

[8traxrule]

Would pre-order if it was under $30. Want to support US releases but this is getting into laserdisc pricing territory. Will pay the higher price on release date if it hasn't gone down by then.