Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition Blu Ray

[EndIessRAlN]

just picked it up a few minutes ago and watched a few scenes. I don't mind the new transfer at all. Seeing the extra clear details in the predators face is pretty neat.

funny side note: I think it's common knowledge (to people here on the board at least) that the cover is the hot toys figure but another funny thing is they had a two pack of the blurays at best buy as well, and on the back it clearly had a picture of the same hot toys predator figure with his mask off, removable jaw seams and everything. I snapped a photo but I don't think it came out very good but I'll post it anyway.

The back of the Blu-ray twopack which comes with the new hunter edition and the previously released Predator 2 Blu-ray
<a href="https://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/?action=view&current=Photo0481.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/Photo0481.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

a bit blurry but I think you can pretty much tell.

Oh man I totally see that. What there isn't enough material of the real thing on the net?

 

[furystorm]

I guess I was in for this one anyway. There was no ticket in the package I just picked up from Best Buy. They were out of the single Predator release and only had the double pack with Predator 2, so I splurged and got it anyway.

Sucks though, no free tickets to Predators.

 

[Furious1]

I thought this was supposed to come with a ticket???

 

[sil80jdm]

I just bought mine at bestbuy now and the single does come with $10 movie cash. The predator collection 2 pack does not.

 

[sandtrooper-5]

In the german version, there is no ticket for predators! It contains the same Bonus Materials a the US BR.
THe only thing, thats differnts, it is one disk!
I like the new blu ray. It looks much more better than the older one!

 

[Rotfish]

Lovin' the lack of grain in those pictures. To me, it looks clearer and more vivid than ever. Excellent re-mastering work on this.

 

[8th wonder]

Terrible butchering on this, digitally spraypainting a movie does not constitute improvement.

 

[kl241]

This release is a travesty with the excessive digital smearing and DNR grain removal. Ultimate Edition it ain't. No $ale.

 

[8th wonder]

This release is a travesty with the excessive digital smearing and DNR grain removal. Ultimate Edition it ain't. No $ale.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[handsomedevil]

How much was the 2-pack, guys?

 

[915stag51]

where can I get this?

 

[kl241]

where can I get this?

How much was the 2-pack, guys?

No deal.

 

[JacktheRipper]

Terrible butchering on this, digitally spraypainting a movie does not constitute improvement.

I like when movies are remastered and made clearer, but not to the point of making people look like Maxheadroom. I'm tempted to get this just for the images of the Predator for reference material; you can see his armor is green in the new release.

 

[Biojex]

How much was the 2-pack, guys?

$29.99. both movies for approx $15, not bad. I already had P2 blu-ray so I did not get it.

 

[Biojex]

Okay so I was looking at the back of the box and as I was looking I thought the Predator image on the back looked familiar too...sure enough I checked it out, It's a pick of the cinemaquette.

the bluray
<a href="https://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/?action=view&current=CIMG1261.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/CIMG1261.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
the cinemaquette
<a href="https://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/?action=view&current=cinemaquette_predator_figure__2_.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/cinemaquette_predator_figure__2_.jpg" border="0" alt="cinamaquette"></a>

You can probably file this under "I don't give a crap" but I just thought it was funny.

 

[Rackemup]

Okay so I was looking at the back of the box and as I was looking I thought the Predator image on the back looked familiar too...sure enough I checked it out, It's a pick of the cinemaquette.

the bluray
<a href="https://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/?action=view&current=CIMG1261.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/CIMG1261.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
the cinemaquette
<a href="https://s441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/?action=view&current=cinemaquette_predator_figure__2_.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq131/biojex/cinemaquette_predator_figure__2_.jpg" border="0" alt="cinamaquette"></a>

You can probably file this under "I don't give a crap" but I just thought it was funny.

Hmmmm thats a good eye.

 

[DouglasMcc]

I like when movies are remastered and made clearer, but not to the point of making people look like Maxheadroom. I'm tempted to get this just for the images of the Predator for reference material; you can see his armor is green in the new release.

First, I am not picking on Jack here, just the first post out of many with this sentiment that I found, so I quoted it. After seeing the images from AVPGalaxy linked to earlier, i took the plunge (15 dollars with a 10 dollar movie ticket, couldn't resist). After watching the new version today, I have to say, I will take the Ultimate Hunter Edition over the old release any day. Lets get this out of the way - yes, there are scenes where faces look "waxy" for lack of a better term. However, this is not a constant problem. Truth be told, the DNR only reaches these levels a few times. And, most of the grain is gone. But, I can live without the grain. The argument that it was "intended" - I don't buy it. It was a budget/ technology hurdle due to the age of the film/ location of filming. The picture is so much more vibrant and colorful on this new release. And, as the video link pointed out, they slightly brighten some of the jungle scenes that have always been dark and murky on DVD and Blu V1 - this may sound like a bad thing, but, in my opinion, it's not. That added brightness adds much more detail that would be lost with manual brightening of your display. I know this movie will never be DEMO material in the HDTV market, but I honestly feel it's the best Predator has looked on home video - ever. I am perfectly willing to accept the minor instances of "waxy" DNR in exchange for the vastly improved color and detail levels. But, that's just one Pred-head's opinion.

 

[Silent December]

First, I am not picking on Jack here, just the first post out of many with this sentiment that I found, so I quoted it. After seeing the images from AVPGalaxy linked to earlier, i took the plunge (15 dollars with a 10 dollar movie ticket, couldn't resist). After watching the new version today, I have to say, I will take the Ultimate Hunter Edition over the old release any day. Lets get this out of the way - yes, there are scenes where faces look "waxy" for lack of a better term. However, this is not a constant problem. Truth be told, the DNR only reaches these levels a few times. And, most of the grain is gone. But, I can live without the grain. The argument that it was "intended" - I don't buy it. It was a budget/ technology hurdle due to the age of the film/ location of filming. The picture is so much more vibrant and colorful on this new release. And, as the video link pointed out, they slightly brighten some of the jungle scenes that have always been dark and murky on DVD and Blu V1 - this may sound like a bad thing, but, in my opinion, it's not. That added brightness adds much more detail that would be lost with manual brightening of your display. I know this movie will never be DEMO material in the HDTV market, but I honestly feel it's the best Predator has looked on home video - ever. I am perfectly willing to accept the minor instances of "waxy" DNR in exchange for the vastly improved color and detail levels. But, that's just one Pred-head's opinion.

Good to hear. I think the folks that are not liking this Pred release are tech heads who care about all specs and bytes and whatnot. I just want a clear picture and I'm good to go.

 

[kl241]

Good to hear. I think the folks that are not liking this Pred release are tech heads who care about all specs and bytes and whatnot. I just want a clear picture and I'm good to go.

Digital scrubbing and DNR grain removal are not how the film was originally photographed and in many times compromises the Director's artistic intent. The studios are doing a HUGE disservice by continuing to release high definition films on Bluray with shoddy quality like this. If you like pixel smearing and film grain removal then why even bothering upgrading to high definition at all? You might as well just be happy with regular DVD upscaled mpeg-2 quality like the average Joe who doesn't give a damn nor are they even aware that their favorite films have been artificially scrubbed clean of anything that would indicate that they were photographed on chemical film emulsion. Movies are a product of the era which they were made and should be preserved as such for artistic and historical purposes and not unnaturally robbed by a digital artifice that ruins the original aesthetic of film.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Digital scrubbing and DNR grain removal are not how the film was originally photographed and in many times compromises the Director's artistic intent. The studios are doing a HUGE disservice by continuing to release high definition films on Bluray with shoddy quality like this. If you like pixel smearing and film grain removal then why even bothering upgrading to high definition at all? You might as well just be happy with regular DVD upscaled mpeg-2 quality like the average Joe who doesn't give a damn nor are they even aware that their favorite films have been artificially scrubbed clean of anything that would indicate that they were photographed on chemical film emulsion. Movies are a product of the era which they were made and should be preserved as such for artistic and historical purposes and not unnaturally robbed by a digital artifice that ruins the original aesthetic of film.

I don't want to get into a flame war, but these are "opinions", it's how an individual feels ... we don't all have to share the same opinion. I respect your point above - just could do with a little less of the "I am right, you are wrong" vibe. But, I like this version (between Blu V1 and this new version). Truth be told, if we are talking about artistic intentions, why even bother to put any movie made before the digital age on Blu-Ray? Many of these films were not made with Hi-Def in mind. When I look at some of my favorite old Sci-Fi films on Blu, the image detail is TOO clear - I can now see all of the seams in the costumes and insert lines for old style special effects, etc. I know this is being facetious, but it serves a point. Besides, it's been awhile since I listened to McTiernan's commentary, but I do remember him saying numerous times lines to the extent "well, we did it this way due to the budget" or I wish we could have done this", etc. So, it's not like even he was completely happy with the final product .... just because an older film has flaws, it doesn't necessarily mean they were intended.

Just to clarify, this isn't the "ultimate" Predator release in my mind. A complete remaster of the original print (similar to the way they are remastering the Twilight Zone episodes for Blu-Ray release) would be preferable. However, I knew the studio wasn't going to spend that kind of money on Predator. However, with that reality in mind, if my choices are Blu V1 (a shoddy transfer of the 2 DVD Collector master) or this new version, I will take the Hunter Version. However, I will continue to hope for a complete restoration for Hi-Def.

KL241, out of curiosity, have you actual seen this transfer, or are you just against it due to your overall feelings about DNR?