From Blu-ray.com

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3375


Léon (The Professional) Blu-ray for November

Posted September 7, 2009 04:34 AM by Juan Calonge

Sony Pictures Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced the Blu-ray release of Luc Besson's 'Léon' (also known as 'The Professional'), starring Jean Reno as a hitman who becomes the guardian of a 12-year-old girl (Natalie Portman, in her first starring role). The Blu-ray will hit store shelves on November 17, and will include both the theatrical and the extended cuts of the movie.

Special features include:

* 10 Year Retrospective: Cast and Crew Look Back
* Jean Reno: The Road to Leon
* Natalie Portman: Starting Young
* Fact Track

Awesome. Now if only we could get a proper transfer without the contrast boosting like the UK, German, French release.

Awesome. Now if only we could get a proper transfer without the contrast boosting like the UK, German, French release.

I have a feeling that Luc Besson's production company supplies the master and that this version will also contain the contrast boosting.

Thats just my opinion and not to be taken as fact.

Looks like an excellent package.

Look forward to catching this on BD.

I have a feeling that Luc Besson's production company supplies the master and that this version will also contain the contrast boosting.

Thats just my opinion and not to be taken as fact.

Sony usually does their own encodes, right? Maybe it will be different.

Sony usually does their own encodes, right? Maybe it will be different.

Their own encodes yes. I was talking about the actual master and my feeling that the master has the contrast boosting on it and that i think it's supplied and approved by Besson's production company and likely Besson himself.

I guess we'll know in a few months. I'm probably way off the mark.

This will be a first day buy for me. One of my favorite movies. Gary Oldman was awesome in this.

I hope this is true. I love this film!

Their own encodes yes. I was talking about the actual master and my feeling that the master has the contrast boosting on it and that i think it's supplied and approved by Besson's production company and likely Besson himself.

Sony's various DVD and Blu-ray editions of The Fifth Element all have different transfers than the contrast-boosted European DVDs. So it's possible that Leon may turn out OK.

On the other hand, Sony's Blu-ray for The Messenger looks like crap. So who knows?

I think it'll use the same master as the others, however since it's Sony it should be the technically best release with regards to encoding etc. so I'll get it regardless.

This one will be worth it if for nothing other than the interviews with the actors after 10 years. Especially, I'd like to hear what Natalie and Gary have to say about it now. What a Bday present! Kewl.
Gary Oldman was awesome in this.
^^ +1

Hope they don't screw up the transfer. Gary Oldman's best role imo.

I gotta pick this one up....

Yessssss. Love this movie.

What version will they be releasing? Theatrical? Extended? or the international version? I hope is the latter. I have the international version (best version) IMHO on DVD...

What version will they be releasing? Theatrical? Extended? or the international version? I hope is the latter. I have the international version (best version) IMHO on DVD...

Both cuts are on the release.

What version will they be releasing? Theatrical? Extended? or the international version? I hope is the latter. I have the international version (best version) IMHO on DVD...

It says it right in the original post. :rolleyes:

Hope they don't screw up the transfer. Gary Oldman's best role imo.
I like him the most in T5E. But picking his best role is like picking the best drop of water out of a single glass. He's good in everything...everything.

I love this movie. Don't F it up Sony...please.:)

I like him the most in T5E. But picking his best role is like picking the best drop of water out of a single glass. He's good in everything...everything.

Except Air Force One. He kind of sucked in that, but it wasn't really his fault. The character was just written to be a cartoonish stereotype. There wasn't much any actor could do with it.

Lovely....I hope Besson's 'The Big Blue' gets announced in the not-to-distant future.

This one always made me feel like a perve because you could tell Portman was going to be hot in a few short years and I wasn't 13.

Sorry, Josh. I like him in AIR FORCE ONE as well. :)

As for this release... I pray this thing isn't contrast boosted. Anyone notice the original LEON DVD release was noise reduced to hell? It had motion trails all over the damned place. Hopefully their master is not baked with DNR. :eek:

By the way, where the **** is CRYING FREEMAN? Come on now! Yeah, it's unrelated, but WTF?! Not even an official DVD release after all these years?!

Sorry, Josh. I like him in AIR FORCE ONE as well. :)

As for this release... I pray this thing isn't contrast boosted. Anyone notice the original LEON DVD release was noise reduced to hell? It had motion trails all over the damned place. Hopefully their master is not baked with DNR. :eek:

By the way, where the **** is CRYING FREEMAN? Come on now! Yeah, it's unrelated, but WTF?! Not even an official DVD release after all these years?!

My Japanese dts DVD edition looked ok apart from some edge enhancement. They apparently sourced the master for that from Besson's production company in France.

I won't put up with edge enhancement so much these days though. It bugs the hell out of me.

Hope they don't screw up the transfer. Gary Oldman's best role imo.EVVVVVVVVVVVVVRYONE should get this movie no matter how badly it gets screwed up. Well, maybe not if it's really bad..:D

I hope Sony will take the proper care with this one and not shove it out the door. I have faith :)

According to Digital Bits, ONLY the theatrical cut is included. Saved me $20.

No sale for me:mad:

Extended cut or nothing.I cannot see any reason at all why Sony cannot release the Extended cut.Im not double dipping on this one.

Like NBK i will wait for the longer version:cool:

Very disappointing. Not going to bother with this release at all now.

and will include both the theatrical and the extended cuts of the movie.
No sale for me

Extended cut or nothing.I cannot see any reason at all why Sony cannot release the Extended cut.Im not double dipping on this one.

Very disappointing. Not going to bother with this release at all now.

Some days I'm just about ready to quit the internet.

Perhaps you should read the post above the two you quoted?

Speaking of Sony, it appears that the studio's The Professional Blu-ray will include just the U.S. theatrical cut - not the International version. Extras will include 3 featurettes (10 Year Retrospective: Cast and Crew Look Back, Jean Reno: The Road to Leon and Natalie Portman: Starting Young), as well as a BD-Java Fact Track.

I wonder if they don't have access to a good master of the international cut.

If that's the case it at least bodes well for the picture quality of Sony's theatrical release, since they shouldn't be using the existing contrast-boosted European one.

EDIT: It also happens to be listed on Amazon and DVD Empire as just "The Professional" (the US title) instead of "Leon - The Professional" like Sony's two DVDs. DVD Empire also has the old fullscreen DVD listed as just "The Professional".

That just sounds so wrong to me. Sony has been releasing Leon with the full cut for forever now and now they're going to go back to the theatrical cut only?

its simple "double dip" math.....

Perhaps you should read the post above the two you quoted?



I wonder if they don't have access to a good master of the international cut.

If that's the case it at least bodes well for the picture quality of Sony's theatrical release, since they shouldn't be using the existing contrast-boosted European one.



doesn't matter as the butchered american cut is a pale shadow of the actual film. Screw this....

doesn't matter as the butchered american cut is a pale shadow of the actual film. Screw this....

I'm quite open to people preferring either cut of the film, but I don't think we should think of the shorter version as 'butchered', and the longer version as 'the actual film'.

Luc Besson cut the longer version after initial screenings, and now refers to the short version as The Director's Cut.

Please remember, just because the director originally showed a longer/different version of the film to preview audiences, doesn't make it 'better' by default. Most films are altered in one way or another by editing at several stages - script, shooting, editing, and after previews to both the studio and test audiences.

As I say, if you prefer the longer version I have no argument with you. But LB calls the short version his preferred cut.

Steve W

As I say, if you prefer the longer version I have no argument with you. But LB calls the short version his preferred cut.

Steve W

I like the longer version too.

I guess if this news is true i will have to buy one of the contrast boosted European releases. It's the same with The Lord Of The Rings. Eeven though the shorter theatrical cuts are director approved editions i still want only the extended editions.

The reverse is true of some movies like Apocalypse Now. I felt the redux was not an improvement and i only want the theatrical cut of that one.

Incidentally it's an anniversary year for that movie and i wonder why it's not been put on the release schedule.

I prefer the extended cut.I still think the shorter cut of the film is great but im going to hold out for the one i like the most, like i have for NBK and will do for the RINGS movies:cool:

I just cannot afford to keep double dipping all the time:eek:

Picking up the UK version now. No interest in the US one.

what Dave said

I agree, the international version was the better version. The "Director's Cut" should be better referred to as the "North American Director's Cut". The reason for this is that the extra scenes with Natalie Portman were most likely too controversial for American audiences, playing up the pedophile angle as well as having an underage girl learning to kill. Hence the cuts.

Eric

...most likely too controversial for American audiences, playing up the pedophile angle as well as having an underage girl learning to kill. Hence the cuts.
You're right why, but it's nonsense of course. The U.S. doesn't mind letting teenyboppers being risque in other ways in our culture. So, it's just hypocricy. I'm sticking with my French Blu-ray. Yes, the contrast is a little hot, but looks fine, if not perfect, on my front projection system.

Some days I'm just about ready to quit the internet.

I love it!

If people think that Leon is pedophillia, then they don't understand the story.

If people think that Leon is pedophillia, then they don't understand the story.We're talking about America here. There is a sizable portion of the country, a majority even, that paradoxically holds up 15-year-olds shaking their asses in Daisy Dukes on MTV as role models for their little kids, while at the same time calling the police on any single guy who walks within 500 yards of the playground they take said kids. Makes it hard for me to be patriotic...

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents

A friend over at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has e-mailed me today with an update on the studio's forthcoming Blu-ray Disc release of The Professional (due on 11/17). The information on the studio's press site was apparently inaccurate. We're pleased to inform you all that Sony's confirmed that the BD release will actually be Leon: The Professional, and will include BOTH the much-loved international cut as well as the U.S. theatrical version. This is in addition to the extras we mentioned yesterday, which should include 3 featurettes (10 Year Retrospective: Cast and Crew Look Back, Jean Reno: The Road to Leon and Natalie Portman: Starting Young), as well as a BD-Java Fact Track. That's very good news indeed for fans, which we definitely are.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/#mytwocents
Good to hear :-)

Wonder if some people will be able to cancel their import orders before they ship. ;)

Good news, I guess, but I'm back to thinking they'll use the same Euro transfer I already own.

I feel better now. :)

Looks like we'll have yet ANOTHER version of Leon to compare to...

http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/img/avw/docs/316/276/param02.jpg

Looks like we'll have yet ANOTHER version of Leon to compare to...
This is the Japanese edition by the way, released by Paramount. They're also releasing Nikita and The Fifth Element.

Most likely all versions are using the same blown out transfer, unfortunately.

Looks like an excellent package.

That's what she said. :D

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8285/5366.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/5366.jpg/)

http://images.dvdempire.com/gen/movies/1493598bh.jpg

Leon: The Professional - Coded for all regions (A, B and C), extras are presented in SD. Features include:

* Theatrical (110mins) & Extended (133mins) Versions
* 1080P 2.35:1 Widescreen
* English, French and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
* Subtitles (Main Feature): English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
* Subtitles (Extras): Portuguese, Spanish
* 10 Year Retrospective: Cast and Crew Look Back
* Jean Reno: The Road to Leon
* Natalie Portman: Starting Young
* Fact Track (Extended Version)

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster in this thread

I was just thinking yesterday about how much I'd love to see the extended cut. Good news!

So the same disc yet again ! will stick with the steelbook

Just pre-ordered at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O5M4SA/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

Even if it has 'blown-out contrast' it's a no-brainer for me at $13.99 for both the theatrical and extended versions.

Just pre-ordered at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O5M4SA/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

Even if it has 'blown-out contrast' it's a no-brainer for me at $13.99 for both the theatrical and extended versions.
How did you conclude that is both versions? I don't see any reference to runtime, theatrical, directors, etc.

How did you conclude that is both versions? I don't see any reference to runtime, theatrical, directors, etc.

See post 53, five above yours. Also, Digital Bits received confirmation from Sony that both cuts will be on this release...also discussed on this page.

and the back cover lists both run times

just pre-ordered at amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/b002o5m4sa/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

even if it has 'blown-out contrast' it's a no-brainer for me at $13.99 for both the theatrical and extended versions.

+1

Thanks guys, sorry for seeming so stupid but I've been burnt enough times thinking I was getting one thing and something else shows up. I like to be very certain. Since the Amazon link didn't say specifically, I was scared going by the cover art... You know the way it works sometimes.

I should not be spending money but, it's in the cart here too. Looking to hit free shipping yet! :D

I don't blame you for being careful on your pre-orders. I am much the same way. Here is the press release (mentioned previously by rboster) on the Home Theater Forum site:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/forum/thread/293417/sphe-press-release-leon-the-professional-blu-ray

Shots are up.. (http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Leon-The-Professional-Blu-ray-Screenshots/6964/) I never had the EU releases, does it look the same?

Shots are up.. (http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Leon-The-Professional-Blu-ray-Screenshots/6964/) I never had the EU releases, does it look the same? Yep, same look as the UK, FR, and DE releases. Like I said in another Leon thread, it seems that this transfer with pumped up contrast and severely blownout highlights is the only one to be used for the foreseeable future. The previous transfer is too old and nasty to used on a BD release. At least the detail level is high and the grain is handled nicely in the new transfer.

Is the audio the corrected track that apparently was only used on one of the previous DVD editions?

I noticed today that the Amazon pre-order bounced back up to $15.99 (from $13.99) possibly due to the fact that the other online vendors are at about the same price point - or higher.

did dvdtalk do any comparison? i thought there was a french and UK version, later superior than first

http://uk.blu-ray.com/movies/Leon-Blu-ray-Review/5800/

http://fr.blu-ray.com/movies/Leon-Blu-ray-Review/4788/

I let a friend borrow this years ago so I guess I have an excuse to upgrade to blu. 15.99 is still a good price point as far as I am concerned.

Cheers

Is this film all in english or is there some non english dialog with english subtitles?:o Sorry for the dumb question but I have a scope setup and any english subs would be cut off.

Thanks,
Tom

Is this film all in english or is there some non english dialog with english subtitles?:o Sorry for the dumb question but I have a scope setup and any english subs would be cut off.

Thanks,
Tom
IIRC, there's one bit with foreign language subs when a few Japanese businessmen are on the screen. Nothing important in that dialog, however.

Comparison to the German version here, identical master used as expected: http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/index.php?vergleich=leon_2

Most of the caps look like upscaled DVD with contrast boosting. But as you mentioned we aren't going to see any remaster for the next 5 years unless someone important from the cast and crew passes away as this looks to be a forgotten movie.

PQ whatever.

One of my favorite films of all time. I'll buy it now. if it gets remastered in 5 years I'll buy it again.

Most of the caps look like upscaled DVD with contrast boosting. But as you mentioned we aren't going to see any remaster for the next 5 years unless someone important from the cast and crew passes away as this looks to be a forgotten movie.

Huh...I thought the caps looked pretty good.:o

I think the picture quality is excellent for a very grainy film.

Huh...I thought the caps looked pretty good.:oYeah, I have no idea where he's getting that from. Then again, he poo-poos everything, sometimes with conflicting statements, even in the face of (or perhaps out of a sense of stubbornness towards) overwhelming evidence and expert praise.

FWIW, Robert Harris is saying that this transfer was indeed supervised by Luc Besson himself, so contrast issue or no, it's as it was preferred by the filmmaker.

PQ whatever.

One of my favorite films of all time. I'll buy it now. if it gets remastered in 5 years I'll buy it again.
If it gets remastered in 5 days I'll buy it again.:cool:
I think the caps look good, they look much better than the 2 disc DVD set I have.

I can't wait to pick this one up...out of the mailbox. Wonder how the audio is.

Yeah, I have no idea where he's getting that from. Then again, he poo-poos everything, sometimes with conflicting statements, even in the face of (or perhaps out of a sense of stubbornness towards) overwhelming evidence and expert praise.


I agree. I was wondering if anyone else noticed that besides me...

Yeah, I have no idea where he's getting that from. Then again, he poo-poos everything, sometimes with conflicting statements, even in the face of (or perhaps out of a sense of stubbornness towards) overwhelming evidence and expert praise.

Please don't put words in my mouth when my comments were related to the caps posted at Blu-ray.com which looks too harsh to my eyes due to excessive contrast.

One reviewer at blu-ray.com gave the German BD 3/5 for PQ. Another reviewer gives the US BD 4.5/5 when both are reported to be minted from the same master.

Please don't put words in my mouth when my comments were related to the caps posted at Blu-ray.com which looks too harsh to my eyes due to excessive contrast.I get the aversion to boosted contrast... but what's with the "upscaled DVD" comment? From the caps I've seen, it looks a hell of a lot better than any upscaled DVD.

Please don't put words in my mouth when my comments were related to the caps posted at Blu-ray.com which looks too harsh to my eyes due to excessive contrast.

One reviewer at blu-ray.com gave the German BD 3/5 for PQ. Another reviewer gives the US BD 4.5/5 when both are reported to be minted from the same master.
In all fairness BR.com is anything but consitent...no offense BR.com, the site is useful but that's not always so with the reviews(but I guess that's true for most review sites).

As long as it has Besson's seal of approval I won't complain.:)

As long as we are civil with one another, there is nothing wrong with different opinions around here...it's what makes AVS fun.:)

As long as we are civil with one another, there is nothing wrong with different opinions around here...it's what makes AVS fun.:)

Exactly. I just posted my opinon by looking at the screencaps and reading the fluctuating PQ reviews posted at blu-ray.com for the German and US BD in spite of them looking identical.:(

PQ whatever.




WTF does that mean? When you typed that did you even have any clue about what you were actually saying? Do you know what the definition of the word whatever is? May have just as well typed "PQ chickens" since it makes as much sense as what you typed. That above may be the most incomprehensible comment I have ever seen a human make on a forum.

The disc looks good which is nice for such a great film. I fail to see how anyone can think it doesn't look good. I am also very glad it has the real cut of the film on there which to me is clearly superior to The Professional cut. A solid buy and I am just so happy Sony released this sooner rather than later.

WTF does that mean? When you typed that did you even have any clue about what you were actually saying? Do you know what the definition of the word whatever is? May have just as well typed "PQ chickens" since it makes as much sense as what you typed. That above may be the most incomprehensible comment I have ever seen a human make on a forum.

The disc looks good which is nice for such a great film. I fail to see how anyone can think it doesn't look good. I am also very glad it has the real cut of the film on there which to me is clearly superior to The Professional cut. A solid buy and I am just so happy Sony released this sooner rather than later.

Wow...relax...must be the cold weather up there in Canuck-land! :)
I agree he should have explained himself a wee bit more, but what I think he meant was simply even if the PQ was not as good as may be expected (for BR), it is such a great film that PQ can be easily overlooked. At least, that's how I read it. Story nearly always trumps PQ, IMO. I hope to be picking up my copy at BB later today!

WTF does that mean? When you typed that did you even have any clue about what you were actually saying? Do you know what the definition of the word whatever is? May have just as well typed "PQ chickens" since it makes as much sense as what you typed. That above may be the most incomprehensible comment I have ever seen a human make on a forum.


That's the funniest comment I've read all day. Just a slight overreaction...

I can't wait to pick up this disc after work!

I got mine with super saver shipping, but it says it shipped yesterday so I should have it soon. As it's also one of my all time favorite films, I am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

At the price I paid though, I'm not looking forward to this being a great looking br. I will be happy though if its even passable, and I'm thinking it will be.

Exactly. I just posted my opinon by looking at the screencaps and reading the fluctuating PQ reviews posted at blu-ray.com for the German and US BD in spite of them looking identical.:(

Well, lgans, I am viewing the BR as I type...it's nothing like upscaled DVD that you saw in / concluded from the caps. Contrast boosting - yes.

It looks very good. And, if you're a fan...no brainer.

Well, I just deleted this from my Netflix queue.

It's a movie I have seen many times. There are reasons I have seen it many times: its a great film, I love it, and it has a very high re-watchability factor.

Who am I kidding? This one I must own. :cool:

Popped mine in last night. Looks pretty good. Grain is apparent and surprisingly the dts-ma track shows up as 24/96.

Popped mine in last night. Looks pretty good. Grain is apparent and surprisingly the dts-ma track shows up as 24/96.

Just checked mine out, saw 24/96 and came on here to say the exact same thing!

There is a feature called Fast Track which instead of someone talking over the movie, they put subtitles that tell you stuff about the movie. I prefer this over commentaries because then I can watch the movie, hear everything that's going on and still be informed. I'm not sure if other Sony titles have this... anyone know? First Blood had something similar... though from Lionsgate.

Too much boosted contrast, especially in the 1st half of the flick. Crushed blacks and blooming whites. But over-all very good detail and color. I give it 4 out of 5 over-all PQ and a clear upgrade over the DVD.

Those highlights are scorching aren't they. Director approved or not it's like if someone left the Ghostbusters BD on the dashboard in the sun.

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/index.php?art=full&image=2&vergleich=leon&action=1#vergleich

Comparison with DE version but same transfer as the US.

Those highlights are scorching aren't they. Director approved or not it's like if someone left the Ghostbusters BD on the dashboard in the sun.

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/index.php?art=full&image=2&vergleich=leon&action=1#vergleich

Comparison with DE version but same transfer as the US.
There sun shining in the window on that shot, scorching, so I don't know which one is right?

Are there other scenes in the flick that the whites just aren't right?

BIG thanks.

Just checked mine out, saw 24/96 and came on here to say the exact same thing!
One of those things that makes you wonder - why has no reviewer mentioned this yet? A cookie for the first I suppose.

Maybe it's not particularly significant, but it's different enough to be worth noting (along with the 96kHz TrueHD track on Sony's sex, lies, and videotape).

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews7/leon.htm

DVD Beaver has a great comparison showing us just how blown out the whites are.

What's a shame about the overblown contrast is that whites appear to be clipped on the disk at video level 235 instead of using the headroom above that. I checked on a display calibrated to show all levels and there's no more detail to be seen whether your system passes whiter-than-white or not.

Looking at the caps, the 2 good things that stand out are the colors and film grain which is luckily preserved. Rest of it still looks contrast boosted upscaled DVD. I should receive my copy in 2 weeks time. Will give it a spin and revert.

Those highlights are scorching aren't they. Director approved or not it's like if someone left the Ghostbusters BD on the dashboard in the sun.

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/index.php?art=full&image=2&vergleich=leon&action=1#vergleich

Comparison with DE version but same transfer as the US.


Wow, they completely destroyed all detail in the highlights.

I am just stunned to read this is 24/96. I wonder will this be a new trend for Sony? We just got them to do consistent 24.

Wow, they completely destroyed all detail in the highlights. In pretty much any scene with a window, anything that used to be visible in the window is completely gone now. Hard to believe a director approved of throwing away that much of his set *cough* Dracula *cough*.

WoW
This movie was ten times better than I thought it would be.
I know people have been raving about it for yrs.
Just, I never saw it in the theater & the "perfect" DVD was never released.

Padme' was awesome. Has too be one of the best child performances ever.
Enjoyed the Leon character, when he said: '...you work up too the knife...'; I didn't think it could/would get any better than that, butt it did!

Thought the transfer (especially the beginning & end) was less digital than "New World". Sound was just GREAT. Eric Serra created an appropriate score. Even Bjork fit in! Could have done w/o Sting (however those were the times) at the end.

IMO:
The whites are not blown out on this transfer.
The whites (sunlight) is blown out in the film.
This is only a guess, butt it appears the director wanted the outside world too be glaring w/o compromise on these charactors. While inside was not. Leon & Mathilda weird world was separate & unaffected by the outside.

Too prove this, no other whites are blownout.
Not tee-shirts.
Not dresses.
Not lamps.
Not drugs.
Not milk.
And no skintones either.

The movie: "Singing in the Rain" was not blownout buy any means.
Only sunlight was blownout.
Everything else looks natural.

Of coarse I could be totally wrong!!!

IMO:
The whites are not blown out on this transfer.

Yes they definitely are, just look at the comparison (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews7/leon.htm) shots mentioned a few posts ago. Since the DVD transfer shows more highlight detail, the problem cannot be with the original film.

Yes they definitely are, just look at the comparison (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews7/leon.htm) shots mentioned a few posts ago. Since the DVD transfer shows more highlight detail, the problem cannot be with the original film.

Ya you would have to be blind not to see the blown out whites. Either that or he is trying to justify his purchase to himself as much as he can.

He's saying that, since the overblown contrast only affects one type of white in the film (as he says, specific to sunshine), perhaps it by the director's wish.

Only watch a little of it last night. It looked pretty good to me. It also sounded really good.

As all the Besson catalogue movies on BRD look this way I am begining to think its the way Gaulmont want them too look

I am just stunned to read this is 24/96. I wonder will this be a new trend for Sony? We just got them to do consistent 24.
It was pretty surprising to see when I popped up the info in my PS3. Hopefully it is a new trend (especially since it seems they're doing it for catalog releases). It'll be interesting to see if new releases start doing this as well.

finally got my copy today and wow, i see about the contrast boost. whether it is the director's or DP's intention makes no difference to me, it's clearly different from what was in the theaters 10 year ago. it's a case of "the director's never done working on a film" i guess. detail is amazing though.

I think where it looks the worst is...

the explosion at the end of the movie. white is so blown out it almost looks like a video game/cartoon!

It was pretty surprising to see when I popped up the info in my PS3. Hopefully it is a new trend (especially since it seems they're doing it for catalog releases). It'll be interesting to see if new releases start doing this as well.
Dont forget to check off 96khz is the ps3's sound options.

Yes they definitely are, just look at the comparison (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews7/leon.htm) shots mentioned a few posts ago. Since the DVD transfer shows more highlight detail, the problem cannot be with the original film.

Indeed. The example that stands out to me is Gary Oldman's forehead in the coridoor scene. In the BD, it's a complete whiteout, whereas the DVD shows that the forehead has normal skin tone with just minor highlight detail. Now that isn't a view out the window ;)

It's pretty damn obvious that whites are blown, but I love this movie so I gotta get it.

This goes to show that director approved doesn't hold as much weight as we'd like it to. Some directors are obviously not videophiles and don't know exactly what some things do to the picture. Boosted contrast seems like a good idea, I know I do it on pics I take on my Treo, but on film.....maybe not so much.

As all the Besson catalogue movies on BRD look this way I am begining to think its the way Gaulmont want them too look
Would you have any more info on this transfer being the preferred look?
finally got my copy today and wow, i see about the contrast boost. whether it is the director's or DP's intention makes no difference to me, it's clearly different from what was in the theaters 10 year ago. it's a case of "the director's never done working on a film" i guess. detail is amazing though.
How did it look ten years ago?
Yes they definitely are, just look at the comparison shots mentioned a few posts ago. Since the DVD transfer shows more highlight detail, the problem cannot be with the original film.
Those BD screen caps are from the GREAT DVD Bev. Their BD screen caps have been proved too be faulty in the past.
How do you know "the problem cannot be with the original film"?
Indeed. The example that stands out to me is Gary Oldman's forehead in the coridoor scene. In the BD, it's a complete whiteout, whereas the DVD shows that the forehead has normal skin tone with just minor highlight detail. Now that isn't a view out the window
Remember the blown-out contrast BD screen caps for "Contact"?
Are you sure this isn't the same problem?
===============================
This review doesn't mention or make it sound at all like a blown-out contrast transfer:
Score: 9 out of 10

Video and Presentation

The last time we saw this film on home video, it was in a Superbit transfer that wasn't so super. While we can report an improvement here in terms of sharpness, black levels... The film's palette is mostly drab, full of the dull browns and grays of the urban environment, but even the few splashes of green trees, yellow taxis, red blood and fiery orange explosions are too faded to really pop. At least the picture is clean, and grain is minimal, making this the best version we've seen to date.

http://bluray.ign.com/articles/104/1047316p1.html
In fact it says improved blacks; something I would not associate w/contrast boosting.
And dull & best ever, all so don't make much sense w/a blown-out transfer.

Nor this one:
the AVC/MPEG-4 transfer is a good one, and in 1080p "Leon" easily merits a 9 out of 10. Edge delineation is wonderful, detail levels are superb, faces and skin tones are natural-looking, black levels are strong, and colors are pleasingly saturated
http://www.dvdtown.com/review/leon-the-professional/blu-ray/7568
Again, natural looking skin tones, strong black levels & proper ("pleasing") saturated colors are not normal too a boosted transfer.

Another good review:
There is excellent color balance with natural skin tones and blood-red blood, deep rich blacks (no crush), and no visible digital artifacts. Halos aren't an issue here - a vast improvement over early DVD releases of the picture - which is obvious from the opening credits: The thick white letters against dark backgrounds no longer contain bright interior outlines around slightly darker cores; the white is more uniform.
http://www.dvdfile.com/reviews/review/leon-the-professional-bd-90215/2
This one even states the whites are better.

Last one I found one the GREAT DVD Basen:
Léon arrives on Blu-ray with another strong 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer from Sony. The film's bright exterior city shots look fantastic with superb clarity and attention to detail and color. Likewise, interior shots of both Léon's and Mathilda's apartments look appropriately worn, beaten, and generally run down, with a coat of grime and various scuffs, dents, and cracks on the walls. The image also enjoys strong clarity and detail on a myriad of objects. Color reproduction is solid, too; the green leaves on Léon's prized plant are expertly and realistically rendered, as are any other number of hues throughout, from Mathilda's blue eye shadow in one scene to the pink and red color on Léon's pig-styled oven mitt. Blacks are generally strong throughout, and flesh tones never veer too far towards either the red or ghastly ends of the spectrum. Rounded out by a moderate layer of film grain, Léon makes for another winning transfer from Sony.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Leon-The-Professional-Blu-ray-Review/6964/
Once again strong black levels are mentioned.

So I guess my question is:
Can whites be blown-out on a transfer & not effect the black level?
&
How can most whites (skintones) look very natural while other whites are natural?
(if it is indeed the transfer; I know it can be done on film, however people are posting the transfers wrong [& I'm blind], not the film)

Would you have any more info on this transfer being the preferred look?

How did it look ten years ago?

Those BD screen caps are from the GREAT DVD Bev. Their BD screen caps have been proved too be faulty in the past.
How do you know "the problem cannot be with the original film"?

Remember the blown-out contrast BD screen caps for "Contact"?
Are you sure this isn't the same problem?
===============================
This review doesn't mention or make it sound at all like a blown-out contrast transfer:

http://bluray.ign.com/articles/104/1047316p1.html
In fact it says improved blacks; something I would not associate w/contrast boosting.
And dull & best ever, all so don't make much sense w/a blown-out transfer.

Nor this one:

http://www.dvdtown.com/review/leon-the-professional/blu-ray/7568
Again, natural looking skin tones, strong black levels & proper ("pleasing") saturated colors are not normal too a boosted transfer.

Another good review:

http://www.dvdfile.com/reviews/review/leon-the-professional-bd-90215/2
This one even states the whites are better.

Last one I found one the GREAT DVD Basen:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Leon-The-Professional-Blu-ray-Review/6964/
Once again strong black levels are mentioned.

So I guess my question is:
Can whites be blown-out on a transfer & not effect the black level?
&
How can most whites (skintones) look very natural while other whites are natural?
(if it is indeed the transfer; I know it can be done on film, however people are posting the transfers wrong [& I'm blind], not the film)

Every site that has pics, shows blown out whites and boosted contrast. I'm really not caring what reviewers say about the pic at this point, as I am sure that most reviewers aren't as picky about PQ as many of us are here, and they usually seem to have a "better than dvd is good enough for me" mentality. I want the absolute best transfer of a movie as possible, most reviewers seem to be happy with what they're given. It's pretty obvious that the whites and contrast are boosted, and there seems to be a consensus among the people that have the movie that that's the case as well. I don't have it yet, but I will soon, and it'll be interesting to see if that's the case when I view it.

Quoting reviews from ign, dvdtown, and blu-ray.com... :D

The transfer was left out in the sun.

...How do you know "the problem cannot be with the original film"?

Because if the highlight detail was washed out on the original film there would be no way it could be present on the DVD transfer. It's a one way process, once you saturate and lose detail it's gone. Overall the BD picture quality is good, with the one fault of the blown out contrast. Definitely worth the price, but you just know there'll be another version at some point with the problem fixed.

At the risk of being labeled a Philistine, I confess that I thought the PQ of the Leon BD was just fine. The whole film has a gritty New York look, anyway, and I saw nothing in this wonderful film's transfer to BD that detracted from my enjoyment of it.

Because if the highlight detail was washed out on the original film there would be no way it could be present on the DVD transfer. It's a one way process, once you saturate and lose detail it's gone. Overall the BD picture quality is good, with the one fault of the blown out contrast. Definitely worth the price, but you just know there'll be another version at some point with the problem fixed.

BIG thanks.
I've seen in restoration demo's like "ST:TOS" were contrast can be changed on source material too bring out more detail.
People are seeing more detail (like fabrics) on this BD. While boosted whites in the screen caps show less backround detail (for instance).
My viewing of the BD had more detail in the same scenes then those blown-out white screen caps do (like the brick-wall outside the window).

At the risk of being labeled a Philistine, I confess that I thought the PQ of the Leon BD was just fine. The whole film has a gritty New York look, anyway, and I saw nothing in this wonderful film's transfer to BD that detracted from my enjoyment of it.

Philistine!
JJ
I think most people (like you & I) are happy/pleased w/the transfer (even those that find the BD too have blown-out whites). It's just the screen caps (again) that are really freaking people out!
(or are there those that see the same amount of blown-out white on their HT?)
The scores from reviewers are high.
What I'm now struggling w/is which is closer too correct: the SD DVD or BD?
And/or, more importantly, what did the director want?
(again, I've never seen this title in the theater)

None the less...
enjoy!

but you just know there'll be another version at some point with the problem fixed.

I don't think so because of this (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/forum/thread/294915/a-few-words-about-leon-the-professional-in-blu-ray#post_3628698) link, someone brought up in one of our German forums (I hope it hasn't been posted here already):

I neglected to note that the transfer of Leon The Professional was supervised and approved by the Luc Besson, who has brought the film to Blu-ray as he wishes it to look.

BIG thanks.
I've seen in restoration demo's like "ST:TOS" were contrast can be changed on source material too bring out more detail.
People are seeing more detail (like fabrics) on this BD. While boosted whites in the screen caps show less backround detail (for instance).
My viewing of the BD had more detail in the same scenes then those blown-out white screen caps do (like the brick-wall outside the window).

Bingo, you hit the nail on the head. A DP or director can make the decision that the subject of the shot is more important than the background and make adjustments that bring out more detail, color, highlights or whatever they are after. The fact that whites are blooming in the background does not mean that anything is "wrong" even if they are not blooming in another edition. It just means that somebody made a decision that the benefit outweighed the cost.

I must say I enjoyed the special features on this. The interviews were long enough to be interesting. Good stuff.

Bingo, you hit the nail on the head. A DP or director can make the decision that the subject of the shot is more important than the background and make adjustments that bring out more detail, color, highlights or whatever they are after. The fact that whites are blooming in the background does not mean that anything is "wrong" even if they are not blooming in another edition. It just means that somebody made a decision that the benefit outweighed the cost.

Except it's not just the backgrounds that are losing detail in this case. Actor's faces are loses details as well. Something is wrong when you have a transfer this hot and it seems to serve no purpose. I have come to believe that a director or DP's decision in regards to a transfer can be wrong while at the same time of course being correct. All directors and DPs are not knowledgeable or possibly don't care as much when it comes to how their movie looks when it comes home. Like I said before, hitting that contrast button brings some changes that are good, but possibly whoever is making these changes doesn't realize that bad that comes along with it.

I found switching from 7.5 IRE to 0 IRE gave me less crushed blacks.

odd i rember seeing at theater, and thought the sunlight was intended to be glaring as the spouse said that some of the fim was damaged where there was sunlight

i found a review somwhere who commented upon that......like going from a dark room, with perhaps some chemicals in the body with dilated pupils, and being faced with glaring, blinding sunlight------being exposed and unable to hide in thse shadows

not that i ever had such an experience....just stuff i heard about

Except it's not just the backgrounds that are losing detail in this case. Actor's faces are loses details as well. Something is wrong when you have a transfer this hot and it seems to serve no purpose. I have come to believe that a director or DP's decision in regards to a transfer can be wrong while at the same time of course being correct. All directors and DPs are not knowledgeable or possibly don't care as much when it comes to how their movie looks when it comes home. Like I said before, hitting that contrast button brings some changes that are good, but possibly whoever is making these changes doesn't realize that bad that comes along with it.
So, the darker SD DVD has more detail than this (if it is) blown-out BD?
Where on the BD, or is it all the time, do the faces (close-ups) lack detail?
=======================================================
I'm sure this is driving some people nuts!
I sure wish things were blk & wht.
Its a good transfer, its a bad transfer, the shadow detail is excellent, the whites are blown-out...
However at the same time, luv learning bout film & all its subtlety.

I found switching from 7.5 IRE to 0 IRE gave me less crushed blacks.
Now there's a problem w/"crushed blacks"?!?!
Have read no reviews that state that, nor do I see that.
Might you mean: "blown-out whites"?

Now there's a problem w/"crushed blacks"?!?!
Have read no reviews that state that, nor do I see that.
Might you mean: "blown-out whites"?

I read a reviewer state that there was a moderate amount. While I did not find it a real problem more than usual I decided to try 0 IRE and I thought one scene in particular appeared to have improved blacks.

Timestamp was 39:30 with Leon sitting in a chair.

I thought there was alot of detail in this release, check out Leon's coat.

I am just stunned to read this is 24/96. I wonder will this be a new trend for Sony? We just got them to do consistent 24. It means very little if the source was 16-20bit /48khz, but maybe they wanna stand out now and remaster everything at 24/96? Why not, might as well give something to do for all those fancy DSPs we pay for in our gears, right?
;)

So, the darker SD DVD has more detail than this (if it is) blown-out BD?
Where on the BD, or is it all the time, do the faces (close-ups) lack detail?
=======================================================
I'm sure this is driving some people nuts!
I sure wish things were blk & wht.
Its a good transfer, its a bad transfer, the shadow detail is excellent, the whites are blown-out...
However at the same time, luv learning bout film & all its subtlety.

I'm with you there, I'm loving learning about film and the beautiful little subtleties in watching at it's best.

The Blu Ray actually looks darker to me, based on screen shots.That's the point of contrast, it destroys the dynamic range of the picture and accentuates the dark and light portions of a picture.

The Blu Ray is of course more detailed, but you lose details in the dark and light parts of frames that contrast is boosted.

Blu Ray on the right, DVD on the left. I've circled where I notice details being lost because of the boosted contrast.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a100/lordcloud/leoncontrast-1.jpg

This is my favorite movie, and I'm so upset at the transfer. :mad::mad:

It looks like I'll be keeping my DVD version too.

This is my favorite movie, and I'm so upset at the transfer. :mad::mad:

It looks like I'll be keeping my DVD version too.

The DVDs were always of poor quality so I wouldn't go that far.

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/index.php?art=full&image=5&vergleich=leon&action=1#vergleich

just watched the blu ray so I modify my previous comment

i do think that the contrast (as is pops out of the box), is over done. Thought it was just limited to street scenes, which is intended to be harsh and glaring (my guess)

Once I did something i hate, that is I readjusted the contrast and brightness levels and it was much better....reminded me of dealing with laser discs, adjusting the equipment for each one disc.
problem is that i forget to put the old settings back.....

An annoying but unlike gladiator, not fatal problem

I think the blu ray suffers from a little too much "artist intent"

all these posts that the techs should go to art school are BS.

i think it is better that they be nerds who are simply trying to produce an image that is as close as possible to the original and leave the other stuff at home, such as the DNR or increasing the contrast (perhaps done to make the director happy?)

Just another comment on this title. The LFE channel appears to be running about 10db too hot from my estimation. You can tell this especially with frequencies below 40hz. Maybe to go with the blown out whites they wanted sound that went to 11.

Still a great movie and better than the DVD, but this title screams artificial enhancement both video and audio-wise.

Just another comment on this title. The LFE channel appears to be running about 10db too hot from my estimation. You can tell this especially with frequencies below 40hz. Maybe to go with the blown out whites they wanted sound that went to 11.

Still a great movie and better than the DVD, but this title screams artificial enhancement both video and audio-wise.
Although, as noted in an earlier post, I have no trouble whatever with the PQ of the Leon BD, I agree that the audio left a lot to be desired, particularly the LFE. I also agree that Leon is, indeed, a great movie and that the BD is an upgrade from the DVD.

At the risk of being labeled a Philistine, I confess that I thought the PQ of the Leon BD was just fine. The whole film has a gritty New York look, anyway, and I saw nothing in this wonderful film's transfer to BD that detracted from my enjoyment of it.

I felt the same way. Very worthwhile upgrade from any DVD version I've seen. Plus, it's just a good film. Maybe we lose sight of those facts by looking for either real, or perceived anomalies of the movies we watch.

Hello,
I'm new member to the forum (although I've read through and appreciate the blu-ray rankings), and I need help! I'm having audio trouble with my Leon the Professional blu-ray. Here is a summary of my problems

Software: Leon the Professional Blu-ray
Hardware: playstation 3 with newest firmware, which was just updated a few minutes ago (problem existed both before and after the firmware update), connected to my Samsung TV via HDMI cable
audio works on all the menus, special features, foreign languages, but ENGLISH AUDIO DOES NOT WORK in both the US and uncut versions
I can hear the english audio if I'm going through at 1.5x normal speed
I've tried both audio modes on the ps3
Other blu-rays work fine

Has anyone else encountered this problem or have any idea what a solution may be?
Thanks!

I love this film :)