Michael Clayton HDD Review

[drb124]

They only give it 3.5 stars, but the entire time they talk about how the problems come from the director's intent rather than a bad transfer. I'm not saying it was reference material, but I felt it was a solid 4 star transfer. If a transfer is transparent to the master or at least very close, then that is all that can be desired. I don't feel that it is fair to give a bad rating just because something doesn't pop off the screen. Any opinions?

[gavomatic57]

The main problem with this movie is just how dull it is, how nothing really happens and how unsatisfying the ending is.

[Grisle]

I enjoyed the movie to an extent, but my favorite part was when Tilda said "You don't want the money"? I thought her delivery was funny.

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by drb124

They only give it 3.5 stars, but the entire time they talk about how the problems come from the director's intent rather than a bad transfer. I'm not saying it was reference material, but I felt it was a solid 4 star transfer. If a transfer is transparent to the master or at least very close, then that is all that can be desired. I don't feel that it is fair to give a bad rating just because something doesn't pop off the screen. Any opinions?

Well HDD don't like Weird Saturation in their movie, they blast them.

You want more thing.. they blasted Halloween because it wasn't the UBER Blue version ... Talk about being inconsistant...

[Hooch504]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Well HDD don't like Weird Saturation in their movie, they blast them.

You want more thing.. they blasted Halloween because it wasn't the UBER Blue version ... Talk about being inconsistant...

I've watched the movie on my system and it looks pretty darn good. I'll admit I don't have that many BDs and am still a rookie, but the PQ was clean and vibrant. BDs are far superior compared to their SD counterparts but sometimes the transfer is less-than-great and one should save their money.

Is that the case with this version?

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by drb124

They only give it 3.5 stars, but the entire time they talk about how the problems come from the director's intent rather than a bad transfer. I'm not saying it was reference material, but I felt it was a solid 4 star transfer. If a transfer is transparent to the master or at least very close, then that is all that can be desired. I don't feel that it is fair to give a bad rating just because something doesn't pop off the screen. Any opinions?

That was one of my reviews actually, from when I worked at HDD

The reason for the discrepancy is actually a simple one. At HDD, at least in 2007 and 2008, reviewers were instructed to score and critique video transfers based on how each presentation fared against other Blu-ray releases. In other words, they relied on a more subjective tier system in which the visual "wow factor" and impact of a transfer were prioritized in a reviewer's opinion/score. (How does film X compare to the best or worst BD transfers on the market?) Yes, Peter's review of 'Halloween' bucked that trend, but that wasn't standard operating procedure at HDD.

Here, reviewers follow a different philosophy in which one of the key measures of a transfer is its faithfulness to its source. Were I to review 'Michael Clayton' in this system, the score would be higher and the tone of my analysis would be slightly different.

Again, I can't speak on behalf of HDD or address their current review/scoring system (of which I'm not personally familiar) -- nor do I want to spark a debate about which philosophy better serves a site's readers -- but I thought an explanation of the 'Michael Clayton' review would at least satisfy your curiosity

[Hooch504]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

That was one of my reviews actually, from when I worked at HDD

The reason for the discrepancy is actually a simple one. At HDD, at least in 2007 and 2008, reviewers were instructed to score and critique video transfers based on how each presentation fared against other Blu-ray releases. In other words, they relied on a more subjective tier system in which the visual "wow factor" and impact of a transfer were prioritized in a reviewer's opinion/score. (How does film X compare to the best or worst BD transfers on the market?) Yes, Peter's review of 'Halloween' bucked that trend, but that wasn't standard operating procedure at HDD.

Here, reviewers follow a different philosophy in which one of the key measures of a transfer is its faithfulness to its source. Were I to review 'Michael Clayton' in this system, the score would be higher and the tone of my analysis would be slightly different.

Again, I can't speak on behalf of HDD or address their current review/scoring system (of which I'm not personally familiar) -- nor do I want to spark a debate about which philosophy better serves a site's readers -- but I thought an explanation of the 'Michael Clayton' review would at least satisfy your curiosity

Hi Ken,

Would you say the BD version is worth the purchase? Granted it's only $12.49 at Amazon, but I just don't want to buy the disc only to say, "It's no better than the DVD." The DVD is pretty good, so I'm looking for an improvement to that. Thanks.

[ClaytonMG]

Originally Posted by Hooch504

Hi Ken,

Would you say the BD version is worth the purchase? Granted it's only $12.49 at Amazon, but I just don't want to buy the disc only to say, "It's no better than the DVD." The DVD is pretty good, so I'm looking for an improvement to that. Thanks.

I think I speak for pretty much everyone here when I say that pretty much every Blu-ray is supperior to DVD in terms of PQ. I have yet to see a DVD look as good as a Blu-ray.

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Hooch504

Hi Ken,

Would you say the BD version is worth the purchase? Granted it's only $12.49 at Amazon, but I just don't want to buy the disc only to say, "It's no better than the DVD." The DVD is pretty good, so I'm looking for an improvement to that. Thanks.

Sorry for the late response - I lost track of this thread

Yes, I would definitely say it's worth a purchase. It's noticeably better than the DVD, and should satisfy even the pickiest videophiles, especially at $12.49

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

Sorry for the late response - I lost track of this thread

Yes, I would definitely say it's worth a purchase. It's noticeably better than the DVD, and should satisfy even the pickiest videophiles, especially at $12.49

Though the lack of lossless audio is a pain.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Ken Brown

Sorry for the late response - I lost track of this thread

Yes, I would definitely say it's worth a purchase. It's noticeably better than the DVD, and should satisfy even the pickiest videophiles, especially at $12.49

The lack of lossless audio is a pain though.

[also]

There is a region free french release which has HD audio and what is said to be a much improved picture (which I just watched last night).

Although it does have annoyingly the "4 days earlier" title in french.

But I think Michael Clayton is a fantastic film so it was worth international shipping. Haven't seen the US release.

[Holmes]

Michael Clayton is an amazing film. A compelling, intelligent, perfectly acted legal drama. One of Clooney's best, definitely.

I have never purchased the Blu-ray, though. Part of me wants to, but reviews of the technical presentation are so mediocre...I always end up buying another Blu and just rewatching "Clayton" on DVD.

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

The lack of lossless audio is a pain though.

Agreed

[nitin]

any reviews on the UK disc?

[blu_sharpy]

Originally Posted by nitin

any reviews on the UK disc?

It is Region 'B' Locked.

For people that dont have Regional Restrictions (i.e. Region Free Player) it has a decent AVC transfer with English DTS-HD MA 5.1.

It also includes a Commentary with Tony and John Gilroy, Deleted Scenes and a Trailer.

[nitin]

excellent, thanks blu sharpy. Definitely sounds superior to the US release.

Might get it with the UK 21 grams and Descent discs in my next order.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by nitin

excellent, thanks blu sharpy. Definitely sounds superior to the US release.

Might get it with the UK 21 grams and Descent discs in my next order.

Try ou 101cd.com, great prices and cheap shipping even if you only buy one item.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by gavomatic57

The main problem with this movie is just how dull it is, how nothing really happens and how unsatisfying the ending is.

I strongly disagree.