Older star trek movies on Blu-ray, Worth it?

[loki993]

Ive been looking at the Older Trek, movies on blu ray. However I have heard that they got a little crazy with the enhancements and kinda messed them up a bit. Ive done a bit of research and it doesn't seem likely that a re release with a better picture will be out before the next new trek movie. I'm not in a huge hurry to get them, just sometime so I can wait for e good deal on them.

So what do you think are they worth a buy or are they so bad just wait until the release versions with proper PQ?

[thorthefifth]

That's a tough choice. I bought them because I love them andthey are a definite upgrade from the DVDs but they are plagued by DNR and EE. They used old masters then still applied the smoothing. The only one not affected is the beautiful presentation of Wrath of Khan. The audio upgrade for all of them is substantial. It's up to you but buyer beware.

[Gone2HiDef]

I'm not so picky and up on all that DNR crap. I'm a Trekkie and had to buy them Day 1. I think the first two look terrific! And having the original theatrical cut of TMP is a treat, which has its charmingly acceptable share of grain. And obviously they're all definite upgrades in PQ to the DVD version. But again, I'm a fan, so I'll love regardless.

[spidy]

I've only watched the first season so far and only 1 episode of the 2nd season but what I've seen so far looks terrific. Of course, they won't look like a new movie but they do look very good. If you are just going to put them on the shelf then perhaps it isn't worth a purchase. For what Star Trek seasons have gone for in the past this seems like an absolute steal. Then again, maybe these seasons are finally coming down to earth and becoming affordable and they will get even cheaper later. Who knows?

[jceperley]

Also, remember that the boxsets (and I'm assuming the individual releases) of Motion Picture, Wrath of Khan and Undiscovered Country are the theatrical cuts. So, no enhanced visual effects for TMP, and both Khan and Country are missing some added subplots from their previous DVD versions. Plus, the transfers do suffer from bad DNR, except for II which had its transfer supervised by Nick Meyer, the director of the film (also haven't noticed any bad transfer problems for VI, which was also directed by Mr. Meyer, so maybe he supervised that one as well, I know it's the first time that film has been presented in it OAR of 2.4:1 as opposed to the 2:1 ratio the DVD had).

[bboisvert]

The sets look great.

Perfect? No. Very good/better than ever? Yes.


You could wait a few years and I'm sure they'll redo them (this is ST after all). But I don't see any reason to if you're interested in them. It's a great set and is typically available for a fantastic price.

[davidlg1971]

Originally Posted by loki993

So what do you think are they worth a buy or are they so bad just wait until the release versions with proper PQ?

As someone who saw all the films in the theaters when they were released, I can tell you: The Blu-Rays are the closest representation to the theatrical experience you're likely going to get.

I've owned them on VHS and DVD, and now Blu-Ray. Today I grabbed The Search For Spock Collector's DVD and the Blu-Ray for comparison on my 50" DLP, and switched back and forth.

The "Collector's Edition" DVD had loads of imperfections, from dust to black spots and so on.

But the Blu-Ray looked damn near perfect, with really big improvements in detail and clarity. But more than that: Color and weight. ILM's effect shots and model work just comes alive on Blu, and the colors pop. Everything looks more real, more vibrant. Spaceships, viewscreens, uniforms, even faces There was a shot in III where the Enterprise is destroyed, and the crew stands on a mountain looking at it fall from the sky. On the DVD, the coloring on the mattes were muted, so the crew on the mountaintop looked fake. On the Blu-Ray, it looked real.

During the fight scene between Reverend Jim Ignatowski from Taxi and Kirk, where Kirk kicks him off a cliff and into a lake of lava, the DVD looked pretty good. You could see reddish lava beneath them as they fought, though it was kind of smoky, not that clear.

But the Blu-Ray looked awesome. Just like I remembered it in the theaters - a hot red mess of burn.