Ronin hits blu-ray 2/24/09

[Early Memphis]

I just saw a new version of Ronin at Best Buy! But that's new version as in a new cover - with the same old master and the same old MPEG 2 encoding. WTF is wrong with those people over at MGM!?!

[MilkManX]

Bums me out. This was one of my favorite films on DVD and I owned both versions(still own the SE version..). Sad that some films get treated like an inconvenience on BD.

[bigdaddyhorse]

So there is no new remastered version coming for this? I thought there was, but probably just from seeing this thread updated but not checking in on it. I thought about grabbing the old disc yesterday as it had movie cash for Robocop, but then thought a remaster was in the works and this was a way for MGM to clear the old stock. Had it been a ticket for a movie I wanted to see, I would've jumped. I'll see what's out around that same time and maybe do it (ticket to get me into the theater, then go see something I care to instead), BB has the BD for $7.99 with $7.50 or $8 of moviecash included, so if I wanted to see Robocop remake it would be free.

[StingingVelvet]

I finally ordered this from Amazon and it has a different cover than either version in the database.

[cash_black]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyhorse

So there is no new remastered version coming for this? I thought there was, but probably just from seeing this thread updated but not checking in on it. I thought about grabbing the old disc yesterday as it had movie cash for Robocop, but then thought a remaster was in the works and this was a way for MGM to clear the old stock. Had it been a ticket for a movie I wanted to see, I would've jumped. I'll see what's out around that same time and maybe do it (ticket to get me into the theater, then go see something I care to instead), BB has the BD for $7.99 with $7.50 or $8 of moviecash included, so if I wanted to see Robocop remake it would be free.

Nah just the same old version, Its better that the DVD picture wise but I slotted my DVD in the same case for the extras

[Early Memphis]

A seriously undervalued, great movie/BD. Everybody should have this on Blu, new transfer-or-not. Some of De Niro's best work (and Reno's).

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

A seriously undervalued, great movie/BD. Everybody should have this on Blu, new transfer-or-not. Some of De Niro's best work (and Reno's).

+1. Probably De Niro's last film that's a must own for me - and I still havent bought it. No difference in international versions either by the seem of it?

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Great movie, but could use a remastering and some extras added to the release. It was one of my first BDs - not a huge improvement over the DVD.

[chadr108]

Absolutely love Ronin, but inexplicably only have the bare bones DVD & not the blu ray. A shame this one only has a bare bones blu ray & not one with the at least the 2 disc DVD extras. I greatly regret not picking this up at Walmart a couple years ago when I saw it for $4.96. Not sure what I was thinking. Maybe because I thought there would eventually be a better version released.

This was probably the last great Deniro movie. He's had a few decent movies since but not like Ronin. Part of this movie was filmed in Nice, France where I studied abroad one summer in 1998. I remember seeing this movie in the theater & there was an ice cream shop they filmed a scene next to in Nice that I remember going to when I was there. Always a thrill watching this one for that scene & everything else in this movie.

[Jar Jar Stinks]

Originally Posted by chadr108

Absolutely love Ronin, but inexplicably only have the bare bones DVD & not the blu ray. A shame this one only has a bare bones blu ray & not one with the at least the 2 disc DVD extras. I greatly regret not picking this up at Walmart a couple years ago when I saw it for $4.96. Not sure what I was thinking. Maybe because I thought there would eventually be a better version released.

This was probably the last great Deniro movie. He's had a few decent movies since but not like Ronin. Part of this movie was filmed in Nice, France where I studied abroad one summer in 1998. I remember seeing this movie in the theater & there was an ice cream shop they filmed a scene next to in Nice that I remember going to when I was there. Always a thrill watching this one for that scene & everything else in this movie.

I spent a lot of time in the south of France too. Maybe that's why I have such an affinity for this film.

[Jakdonark]

[QUOTE=chadr108;10337579.
. Part of this movie was filmed in Nice, France where I studied abroad one summer in 1998. I remember seeing this movie in the theater & there was an ice cream shop they filmed a scene next to in Nice that I remember going to when I was there. Always a thrill watching this one for that scene & everything else in this movie.[/QUOTE]

My dad and I went to Europe in 03. We stayed in Arles for a day and walked around. I saw the stadium/coliseum and I'm pretty sure the playground. Later in our trip we went through Switzerland and stayed at Andermatt. There was a gas station at one end of the town and I looked at it and thought it looked like the one from Goldfinger where Bond drops off Tilly. I should have asked, but I did take pictures. When I got home I checked and it was the one! Since then whenever I travel abroad I do some research for movie locations. Just got back from Puerto Vallarta and went to the Predator set there. Pretty awesome.

Now when I watch Ronin or some of these other movies I'm like, I was there!

[klauswhereareyou]

Great movie, but the blu-ray transfer is trash.

[Early Memphis]

That's bogus. Could it be better, damn straight. But that kind of ill thought out nonsense is why many folks are still hugging their coasters.

Not only is the BD PQ a slight, but definite uptick (and more of an increase than many people often pay for questionable new transfers), there's also the great lossless audio - which got a 4.5 in the review and kicks the crap out of the pathetic DD track you get on the flipper coaster.

In short, anyone who tells you that the move up to BD isn't worth it for this classic is probably deaf, dumb and blind. And, Christ, the damn thing has been $5 a number of times. What does it take? Hey, you keep waiting, I've been enjoying the BD for years now.

[Tempus]

Agreed. It's definitely worth the low price.

[trip66]

Ronin, to me, is a masterpiece in action film making. Back in '98 this was kind of a "they don't make em like this anymore." Now we really don't see anything like this anymore.

The bluray is the third dip for me and one of the films that made me upgrade to bluray. Yes, by today's standards, the blu needs a new master, but its still much better than the dvd and remains a good watch based on the technical side.

Since I've owned two other dvd editions, I kinda made my own three disc set:

1. The original UK dvd, had more features that the original US dvd. This dvd is worth keeping because the feature "Filming in the fast lane" is 3 minutes longer than the same feature that showed up on the 2 disc version. The original longer version showed behind the scenes of Frankenhiemer's The Train and Grand Prix. Also, this includes the UK trailer, and alternate ending.

2. The US 2 disc special edition. The second disc with all the features, does not include any trailers, the alternate ending, or the longer version of "filming in the fast lane." The alternate ending was induced on the first disc, which is long gone. It appears the the UK and other countries, the trailer and ending are on the second disc, but the fast lane feature is still the shorter version.

3. The bluray, has the commentary and the US trailer (different version than the UK trailer).

I wish we could get a re-master, and all features (including the awesome teaser trailer that has special footage filmed just for the teaser) included on 1 disc.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Tempus

Agreed. It's definitely worth the low price.

Yeah for $7 it's worth the upgrade. Almost any blu ray is, barring complete travesties like Predator.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by trip66

... Since I've owned two other dvd editions, I kinda made my own three disc set:

1. The original UK dvd, had more features that the original US dvd. This dvd is worth keeping because the feature "Filming in the fast lane" is 3 minutes longer than the same feature that showed up on the 2 disc version. The original longer version showed behind the scenes of Frankenhiemer's The Train and Grand Prix. Also, this includes the UK trailer, and alternate ending.

2. The US 2 disc special edition. The second disc with all the features, does not include any trailers, the alternate ending, or the longer version of "filming in the fast lane." The alternate ending was induced on the first disc, which is long gone. It appears the the UK and other countries, the trailer and ending are on the second disc, but the fast lane feature is still the shorter version.

3. The bluray, has the commentary and the US trailer (different version than the UK trailer) ...

Thanks for the list. I never even knew there was a 2-disc version. Hard to search 'cause they called the 1-disc DVD a "special Edition" as well, but I found one 2-disc on Amazon - for "only" $152! I saw a 2-disc LN UK SE ("15" Rating) for $21 and a presumably 1-disc (M 15+ rating) for $26. Which rating logo did yours have? I also found a Japanese 2-disc "ultimate edition".

So it almost sounds like there's nothing worth having on the US 2-disc. I know I've seen the "alternate ending" somewhere and don't recall liking it (but I don't remember - he gets the girl?). If you still have them, what's the difference in the run times on those two "fast lane" features? I really wonder what's on the JP version as they usually get everything.

[JimDiGriz]

I used to have this really nice UK 2-disc digipak SE (white) which I sold ages ago (along with any other DVD's worth selling at the time) whilst the going was good. The only DVD's I regret selling are this one and the Escape From New York SE with slipcover...

[trip66]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

Thanks for the list. I never even knew there was a 2-disc version. Hard to search 'cause they called the 1-disc DVD a "special Edition" as well, but I found one 2-disc on Amazon - for "only" $152! I saw a 2-disc LN UK SE ("15" Rating) for $21 and a presumably 1-disc (M 15+ rating) for $26. Which rating logo did yours have? I also found a Japanese 2-disc "ultimate edition".

So it almost sounds like there's nothing worth having on the US 2-disc. I know I've seen the "alternate ending" somewhere and don't recall liking it (but I don't remember - he gets the girl?). If you still have them, what's the difference in the run times on those two "fast lane" features? I really wonder what's on the JP version as they usually get everything.

Here is a detailed description between all the dvd versions of Ronin:
http://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=312
So, you can decide on whether or not you think its worth tracking down. Its been awhile since I sat down and watched any features. I remember Deniro and Reno's interviews were not that good because Deniro is known for not giving good interviews while Reno stumbles his words a lot. Natasha McElhone gave some good insight. I think the best features were about the driving and the technical side of the film.

[MikeZ.]

I just checked my 2 disc SE DVD (UK Region 2) because I brought up the subject of Steelbooks (which this is ), and it looked good, and sounded great.

Wonder if the BD is down to $5.00 because there's a new and improved BD on the way ?

Maybe I should wait...