PredatorFormat: Blu ray
Audio: 5.1 DTS HD MA (3F2R/LFE)
(Secondary) 4.0 Dolby Surround (3F1R)
We all know the movie but unless you have the Blu-ray you haven't seen anything yet.
I'm comparing the 2000 DVD edition vs. the Blu-ray.
There are no special features on this DVD edition other than trailer. The 2004 edition contains a second disc with special features.
First some TV shots: How it looks on the big screen.
Some right channel side chatter. Other camera pans don't change from center channel while character is still talking off screen. Most dialog is front center. DTS 5.1 sounds very powerful, easy to understand dialogue. Gun fire, explosions pop and rumble quite well.
Color, detail, smoothness are at their best on this Blu-ray. The daylight jungle scenes are simply gorgeous.
"Stick around." and "Knock, knock." Only two one-liners from Arnold here as the focus of his biceps moves to the prowess of the Predator.
"Anytime." Nice rear effects of Predator vocal analysis/recording and the later use of Billy's laugh right before self destruct moment. Also interesting titbit from imdb: sound of whip crack used for Predator view and when shoulder canon fires.
Can you spot the Predator? Imaging is terrific, not a 3D film but the next best thing. HD bring out stunning depth and realism. Looks like these two are standing in living room.
Closer...
How do you cut down trees in the jungle? Minigun was altered to slow firing, so sounds a little different when Arnold uses it in T2.
Aftermath: "We hit
nothing."
Spot the Predator: ah, there you are ... now why did you go and shoot my arm off?
No way he hit the water:
Would have been better if he used the Tarzan call:
A few screen shots:
High five...anybody? Anybody?
"RUN! Go! Get to the chopper!" Sounds partially stereo synthesized, interesting, was this intentional??
DVD vs. BD
DVD Comp 1:
BD Comp 1:
DVD Comp 2:
BD Comp 2:
DVD Comp 3:
BD Comp 3:
DVD Comp 4:
BD Comp 4:
DVD Comp 5:
BD Comp 5:
DVD Comp 6:
BD Comp 6:
Final Thoughts: Visually stunning performance on the Blu-ray. The new HD transfer is very crisp, colorful, no noticeable DNR. Low light scenes are easily viewable. Comp 4 shows some of the dark shadows are lightened up but not washed out. Looks like the same visual effects were used from original prints (comp 4) and upconverted decently. Some imperfections can be easier spotted on this HD transfer now, notice the blast appears to hit him dead center, not the arm.
If you have the LD or either DVD version, this Blu-ray edition is the best yet. Audio in either 5.1 DTS HD or 4.0 Dolby Surround are very clean and discernible. 4.0 is a little softer, 3 channel front 1 rear, dialog still very much center channel only. Rear effects and overall discrete ability not as nice as the 5.1 mix here. Video is one of the best older-films-gone Blu-ray I've seen yet.
Picture: 9.0 Top notch HD transfer. This is a groundbreaking film and it deserves the best possible preservation. This Blu-ray gleams with green foliage, explosions, gun fire and cool special effects that still look great today and even better in this HD transfer. Some low light scenes but are still viewable even if you're watching during the day. This Blu-ray release makes it look like it was filmed yesterday. It should look really nice compared to the newly released Predators.
Audio: 8.5 Two main audio choices, 5.1 DTS HD MA or 4.0 Dolby Surround, the DTS is well amplified, discrete, dialog mostly centered and some scenes sound as if studio recorded and then later lip synced. Might explain some off sync of lip movement at times, but it's not overly distracting. Note: this may have been present in previous releases as well, just never corrected. Some scenes would have been nice with dialog panning, no major knock off for lack thereof. Not nearly as bad as Predator 2.
Plot/Story: 9.0 Predator is a classic, it's groundbreaking. Arnold is the main character but doesn't take over the movie with one liners or mud wrestling. This movie holds up well over the years and this Blu-ray breaths new life into Predator.
Extras: Yes, these may also be located on the 2004 Special Edition. Packed with extras, documentaries, commentary channel, trailers.
Overall: 9.0 The Blu-ray is a clear winner. If you like this film and don't have the Blu-ray, I highly recommend it. In Arnold's words: "Run! GO! Get the Blu-ray!" in that stereo-synth voice. Oops, I hope that wasn't a mistake.
Bonus:Visual effects appear to hit his chest, not his arm. Appears very superficial now on BD, noticeably last minute and overlaid. Also, a mistake here as he clearly drops the weapon out of his right hand and yet he is still clutching it when it hits the ground and continues to fire.
Slower: Unless it's still clutched to the gun on the other side and dropping behind him.
Closeups:
There's a glove or something attached in this frame right before it falls, it's clearly not his hand.
Then it drops, the glove is still attached with no arm, the angle is completely wrong. Maybe a metal pole under glove pulling it down away from actor.
Real arm visible in this shot: also with next frame zoom in appears he is being lifted by platform rather than cable:
Remote hand fire: that way you can turn around and shoot while the Predator moves in for kill. Didn't work so well though.