First Blood / Rambo: First Blood Part II / Rambo III 4K UHDs (1982-1988)

[HeavyHitter]

The first movie (remastered BD) is a huge upgrade over the original BD. The compression is not perfect, but I don't recall major issues when I skipped around on it.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

The first movie (remastered BD) is a huge upgrade over the original BD.

^ This.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by Khronikos

II could have been a great film, but dear god some of that dialog in the middle of the film is so bad it makes me want to turn the TV off.

Thankfully, I was trained to ignore cheese, ignore overacting, to listen to things that would make a billy goat puke.

[HeavyHitter]

I actually liked II better than I expected and there was some things I really liked.

III was what it was. Some good action visuals and sound.

But I don't mind owning all three movies and they will be re-watched for sure at some point.

Just love 80s stuff and I REALLY need Commando!

[DanFan]

Originally Posted by eddielarkin

thanks

though this disputes what danfan has said.

Are these subtitles burnt in originals or electronically generated?

UHD subs are player generated.
Blu-ray subs are burnt in.
Which do you think are the correct subs?

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[DanFan]

UHD subs are player generated.
Blu-ray subs are burnt in.
Which do you think are the correct subs?

This one is especially telling. The Russian actor's dialog includes the word "American".

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[PeterTHX]

Don't give a damn about subtitles.


I want them to find the original stereo/70MM tracks for Rambo II damn it, not this "5.1 from mono" bullcrap.

[DanFan]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Don't give a damn about subtitles.


I want them to find the original stereo/70MM tracks for Rambo II damn it, not this "5.1 from mono" bullcrap.

Ok. But which do you think is correct?

[Talal86]

obviously the blu ray, they're full sentences

[DanFan]

Originally Posted by Talal86

obviously the blu ray, they're full sentences

Plus they are burnt in. Meaning that's most likely what we saw in theaters.

And that's why I kept the Blu-ray along with the new UHD.

The subtitles for Rambo III have been an issue across many different releases for a long time.

It's disappointing that they dropped the ball on the 4K subtitles.

[Markgway]

I always prefer burnt-in subs.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by EddieLarkin

Thanks

Though this disputes what DanFan has said.

DanFan's idea of the subtitles being "wrong" and my definition of them being "wrong" are different.

If you want every word exactly correct, there are small differences as his caps show, and a couple of missing words, but the gist is really the same. Nobody is being hindered with the UHD translation of those brief dialogue bits.

To me, the UHD subs aren't "wrong" in the way that one past Lionsgate release erroneously subtited virtually every line of Russian dialogue. That's wrong, and what I would consider to be really unworkable IMO, because it totally changes the viewing experience. (I remember seeing that and wondering why there were all these other scenes subtitled with useless information)

IMO that's not the case here. Obviously it's personal preference but to me it's not that big a deal. If a subtitle reading "I need to refuel" instead of "I must refuel" is going to stop someone from watching this 4K transfer, then I don't know what to say...

[DanFan]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

DanFan's idea of the subtitles being "wrong" and my definition of them being "wrong" are different.

If you want every word exactly correct, there are small differences as his caps show, and a couple of missing words, but the gist is really the same. Nobody is being hindered with the UHD translation of those brief dialogue bits.

To me, the UHD subs aren't "wrong" in the way that one past Lionsgate release erroneously subtited virtually every line of Russian dialogue. That's wrong, and what I would consider to be really unworkable IMO, because it totally changes the viewing experience. (I remember seeing that and wondering why there were all these other scenes subtitled with useless information)

IMO that's not the case here. Obviously it's personal preference but to me it's not that big a deal. If a subtitle reading "I need to refuel" instead of "I must refuel" is going to stop someone from watching this 4K transfer, then I don't know what to say...

I simply provided an answer and proof to the question about the Russian subs, I'm glad that it doesn't bother you.

Using the example of "I must refuel." versus "I need to refuel." as no big deal, is too simplistic and convenient to support your argument.

"All troops should get ready." and "They shouldn't reach the border." versus "I want every commando ready now. They must not reach the border." is significant. The incorrect subs are awkward.

"Trace them." versus "Go after them immediately." is a huge difference. Trace them? That is a ridiculous and lazy translation on the part of whoever supplied the subs.

"Keep searching." versus "Keep searching for the American." The actor clearly says the word American. Further proof that the player generated subs are wrong. This one reminds me of the Russian translations on the Red Heat US Blu-ray versus the UK Blu-ray. US - "In another 10 years, Moscow will be like Miami." UK - "In another 10 years, Moscow will be like Harlem." The actor clearly says Harlem.

"Kourov, what happened?" versus "Kourov, what the hell is happening down there?" is significant too. The correct sub is much more dramatic.

Not to mention that the Blu-ray subs are burnt in. They are the correct, more accurate, and grammatically correct subs.

This issue will not stop me from watching the 4K, but it is enough of an issue that I am keeping the correct Blu-ray.

I'll never understand why people will defend things that are incorrect. It's fine if it doesn't bother you, but don't try to defend it. Wrong is wrong. You have a different definition of wrong than me? Is that like alternative facts?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

Man I hope so. I NEED Rambo in 4k UHD!!!!!!!! Water, food, air, and Rambo 4 in 4k UHD. It's right up there.

FWIW, I know a lot of folks had complained, especially early on, about the warmer color scheme on the First Blood 4K disc. A good friend of mine was airing the same gripe yesterday, threatening to sell it for being repugnant revisionist rubbish compared to his desaturated-looking old dvd copy. Sure enough, on his tv, the 4k disc displayed a garish red push and ruddy skin tones, gaudy exaggerated yellows on the exteriors of buildings, and an overall "off-looking" color palette full of weird-looking hyped primary tones, as if someone from Shout Factory's EFNY production had gotten a hold of it. Yet, with literally thirty seconds of simple adjustments to his dynamic contrast and color gamut settings on his tv, First Blood 4k uhd went from his "must sell on ebay" pile back to his "must-have" pile. Folks, before you give up on a 4k disc, launch into a melt-down, and hastily sell it, give each disc a chance and start by turning a critical eye toward your setup. Very, very minor adjustments can make a HUGE difference in how you perceive and experience the presentation, and after subtle tweaks, can lead you to find an even better experience with some of your other discs on your setup, as well.

Never minded the colour or thin-assed black levels, and the HDR expansion is quite lovely. It's got some ****ing awful compression though, but as it's a StudioCanal-mastered disc (released via Lions in the US) then that comes with the blocky territory.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by DanFan

I'll never understand why people will defend things that are incorrect. It's fine if it doesn't bother you, but don't try to defend it. Wrong is wrong. You have a different definition of wrong than me? Is that like alternative facts?

I don't like it that the subs have been simplified as it's not like they didn't have a guide to follow, but as I've watched the movie without those brief translations at all (had the previous remastered German Blu-ray trilogy set which had English-friendly discs for 1 and 2 but not 3, because it was uncut) and still managed to somehow understand what was going on then I'll take the UHD's mangling over nothing at all! Best encoded movie out of the three as well, given my comment above.

[imsounoriginal]

Bought First Blood’s UHD around Black Friday but with the Rambo announcement yesterday, I finally decided to watch the disc. I’ve never thought of this movie’s cinematography as being particularly attractive until seeing this transfer. The grading looks a little aggressive at times (things like neon signs, police sirens, and even those American flag patches on the cops’ jacket sleeves are kinda unnaturally bright and pronounced compared to the rest of the image being relatively drab), but it’s still overall a massive leap in quality over how FB has looked on previous formats (and for all I know, maybe that’s what it’s supposed to look like). And I didn’t notice any compression issues on my end. Was pleased enough overall, now I just need to get II and III next time they’re on sale.

[Bn43]

I only wanted First Blood. Watched it twice now. It looks stunning.

[gooseygander2001]

God bless 4k and all who sail in her....

God damn Studiocanal and their compression (mostly)...

Nothing to add that hasn't been said before....such a great movie...tarnished by the GI-Joe style follow-ups....as fun as they are!

Blacks are indeed weak as p*ss in places (possibly exaggerated on my FZ OLE.... mineshaft section I'm looking at you)....but the scenery is just epic, every tree branch, mossy rock and jagged outcrop is nicely captured with a filmic anamorphic edge.

Compression misfires I noticed in the skies a couple of times and especially in the explosion at the gas station.....forget lego....I'd say bigger chunks....full on Duplo bricks!

The ending really cements this as far more than the sum of it's parts and shows really effectively (IMO) the effects of PTSD and Sly...for all the send-up's and p*ss takes over the years, just kills it here....less is more sometimes!

Audio seemed distinctly average to me on a 5.1 setup but felt authentic without any crazy revisionism....a product of the time... in the nicest possible sense.

[kevnyuk]

Looking at picking these up soon, are the UK and USA versions the same in terms of picture quality.
Living in the UK I can get them whenever, but have a trip to the states soon.
Many thanks.

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by kevnyuk

Looking at picking these up soon, are the UK and USA versions the same in terms of picture quality.
Living in the UK I can get them whenever, but have a trip to the states soon.
Many thanks.

It seems like the discs are identical, considering the relationship between Studio Canal and Lionsgate, but I cannot confirm that for sure.