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Along with 'Stargate' and 'Terminator 2,' 'Total Recall' has to be up there with the titles that have been released the most number of times on disc. Lionsgate (previously LIVE and Artisan) has regurgitated 'Total Recall' again and again in various permutations, with the latest DVD version due for release later this year, under the studio's new "High Resolution" remaster banner. Judging by the fact Lionsgate is reissuing the film with that label, it is easy to assume this new Blu-ray release is also minted from a new master, and not the same source material used for the 2002 special edition release. Not that 'Total Recall' didn't already look quite good on that last DVD release.
In any case, 'Total Recall' is somewhat unusual for a big-budget late-'80s action film, in that it was originally presented in a 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, not the wider and more cinematic 2.35:1. Lionsgate accurately frames 'Total Recall' for its Blu-ray debut here, and also bestows upon it a very nice 1080p video transfer. As with the Blu-ray 'Stargate' (released simultaneously with 'Total Recall'), I was surprised at how fresh this film looks. The source material is in quite good shape, with only a few speckles here and there to distract. And even better than 'Stargate,' there is no major print damage to speak of, nor any reinserted bonus footage of poor quality.
Most other aspects of the transfer are generally excellent. Blacks are rock solid and contrast consistent across the entire grayscale. Sometimes, remasters of recent but still somewhat older titles have that jacked up, processed look, but 'Total Recall' looks pretty film-like. There is a slight wash of grain throughout, but it looks natural and appropriate to the age of the material. Color reproduction was also a surprise. 'Total Recall's main color scheme is red (it does take place on Mars, after all), which is always a challenge for video to reproduce accurately and cleanly. Yet hues are very stable here with no apparent noise, and certainly more eye-popping than on the previous DVD.
However, detail is still a bit lackluster compared to some of the better remasters of late-'80s material. With my eyes, it looks like the transfer has been softened a bit to reduce the visibility of film grain, which results in a flat look in many scenes. The sense of depth and clarity of fine details, while good, is not incredibly three-dimensional. Most impressive are the everyday early scenes before Quaid/Hauser takes off to Mars, while the more surreal nightmare scenes seem the weakest. It is possible that inconsistent compression work could be partially responsible for some of these inconsistencies, but as I detected no major anomalies such as posterization or macroblocking, there is no way to really know for sure. In any case, such inconsistencies in depth and detail are minor, and overall I was quite satisfied with this presentation.
I think the softness the reviewer is experience is do to the fact he is still using a bd-p1000 on original firmware.
Man, I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but Blu Seems to be headed in the right direction, this has been a stellar week for the BDA!
I really didn't want to pick this up, but now this review has got me second guessing myself. If this guy thinks it looks good, then at home it must look astounding. I just wish I knew where I could get my hands on all of the Lionsgate titles.
Dude, Watching Arnold schwarznegger Films is just something men do & women don't.
Like
Driving Manual Transmission...
not calling you a woman btw. =)
Oh don't get me wrong I like Arnold, just not this particular film. I'll definitely pick up the Terminator series. Now if I said I wanted Junior on BD then you could have suggested I was a chic.
See youw at da pahrty Victa! [Instert Victor's Arms being ripped of from elevator shaft]
Arnold rocks, I totally loved this movie back in the day (OK, I still do)...doesn't hurt with Sharon Stone back in her prime either. Curious if HD does her more justice.
COME ON DO IT DO IT NOW! Sorry I can't add the Arnold accent. and the classic STICK AROUND when he throws a knife into the guy and he sticks to the door
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Total Recall thumbs up!
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