Predator (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

How can you argue with a movie starring two governors.

Great review, pretty spot on. I have to say after having followed the Predator thread at the blu-ray software board and reading a lot of negative comments I was pleasantly surprised when I actually fired up the disc. IMO it just isn't consistant from shot to shot, some scenes look great, others not so much.

I totally agree on the Score, it sounds fantastic, much better than expected

edit: Agree with Urza on the DVD comparisons as well, very nice bonus that I don't think anybody else is really doing!

I must compliment you Ralph. I rely on your reviews the most. They seem pretty fair and ballanced. It's also nice to see you actually compare certain footage to DVD versions, as this helps the "double dip" arguements that sometimes crop up in my household

My score card for Predator

Movie: 4.5/5
Picture Quality: 3~4.25/5
Sound Quality: 3~3.75/5
Extras: -10/5
Recommendation: Must Own if priced below $20

Nice review, Ralph. However, I do believe the the PQ difference between the DVD and BD is significant for the most part. Of course, that's a subjective call.

Great review!! Looking forward to many more.

I found the PQ pretty good overall for a 20+ year old movie but I have to say those noisy jungle scene's are annoying. Did anyone else notice the dirt and brightness loss when they inserted the overlay for the intro credits? Kinda cool in a way to see how they used to do it.. Anyways, again great review.

Couldn't STAND the previous special edition PQ! It was way too soft in my view. The previous standard edition was noticeably sharper. I'm looking forward to this release and hope it surpasses the sharpness and resolution of the standard version I have hung onto.

Sad to see that once again the BD buying public is let down with the lack of extras. For all the hawking going on out there about Blu Ray's extra capacity, it's shamefull it isn't being used by the studios. What a sad joke.

However, they have me by the you know whats and I will pick this one up.

Yes I believe these are the same extras for the DVD special edition! LOL Well like I say don't double dip because you only feed rich greedy snobby Hollywood Mouths?

Perhaps we should buy the equipment used by member ricwhite as Predator never looked like this even in the theaters.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14241275

After watching the movie last night I can tell you that my setup faired just as well - although comparing screenshots to a memory isn't exact science! I'm using a Sammy BDP-1500 and Optoma HD80.

I can also say that he must have picked those scenes on purpose. There are some ugly, ugly moments during that movie. I suppose it is just the original source becoming a hindrance on improving quality.

The experience last night has made me rethink the idea of replacing any more of my DVD collection unless I can tell for certain that there will be an improvement. I guess that is what these reviews are for!

Think again....There is a huge difference between Predator on DVD and on Blu Ray and it's worth the purchase price.

They did not film enough coverage shots in the original movie so had to zoom in on already shot scenes and this results in some scenes having a very grainy look which is different to most of the movie and not in keeping with most of the movie but this is true to the source they had to work with.

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergl...leich=predator

If you click on that site you can see the differences i am talking about.

Ok i'll bite, wheres the review?

Thanks for the explanation - and the link. I wondered why there was such a mix of shots. I know that many filmakers choose to use a certain "look" to their films whether it be grain, colour saturation, etc... but in this case it was so muddled that it didn't seem to be on purpose.


http://www.***************.com/fusio...hp?tid/140991/

i didn't even know they released this on blu-ray!!

Thanks, from the review:
MY TWO CENTS:
I find it difficult to believe that it has been over 20 years since Predator was released in theaters. I remember seeing it and just being blown away by the incredible prowess displayed by the Predator. At that time the special effects and make up was something that was also very impressive. I have owned it on VHS, and twice on DVD. The story surrounds a small band of elite military rescue personnel led my Arnold who are brought in to locate a missing group of commandos sent into the jungle on a politically based mission. As the story unfolds Arnold and his team discover that the missing team has been brutally murdered and that the reason for their mission may not be solely rescue based. Afterward they encounter an unseen enemy who moves without detection and begins to pick them off one by one. What follows is a fight for your life battle between two fierce warriors one human and one that is not of this earth and possesses strength, weaponry, and camouflage that renders him nearly invisible.

Its been a while since I have watched Predator and while I was cuing it up I couldn't help but feel like it was going to seem dated. I have to say that while some of its elements did feel that way it really was not nearly as much as I had anticipated. I enjoyed this re-visit quite a bit and it retained much if its suspense, gore and intensity.

Parental Concerns:
The R rating is for language, violence and gore.



AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65


(Each paw rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 paws per category)


Audio: 82

Dynamics:
Low frequency extension:
Surround Sound presentation:
Clarity/Detail:
Dialogue Reproduction:
The DTS-HD Master Audio Lossless track presented on Predator was a nice surprise. I didn't do any research to see if the audio was re-mixed when the two disc DVD special edition was released several years ago. What I can tell you is that this mix sounded great for a 20 plus year old soundtrack. It had respectable dynamics that could be felt as well as aurally experienced. It didn't deliver room shaking deep bass but overall it the relayed the full-toned message contained in the recording (I believe). The mix made ample and frequent use of the surrounds to encompass the sweet spot with a myriad of sounds both ambient and directional in orientation. I mean it wasn't the most realistic surround sound presentation in terms of the replication of the jungle sounds, explosions, gunfire etc. but that had nothing to do with the mix itself. Alan Silvestri's score has never sounded better.

I enjoyed it and appreciated the fact that efforts were made to offer a good quality presentation.

**My audio ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**


Video: 68
(Each paw rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 paws per category)


Resolution/Clarity:
Black level/Shadow detail:
Color reproduction:
Fleshtones:
Compression:
The 1080p MPEG-2 encoding had an average bit rate of 21 mbps and will be disappointing to fans who have been eagerly waiting for its debut in high definition. It lacks the vibrancy, pop and visual articulation associated with better high definition video. Many of the shots in the thick jungle trees and undergrowth look rather flat and lacking in depth. Fine object detail is present at times but is transient in nature. Colors are rather muted however that appears to be intentional. The colors that are used are not very vivid and look somewhat lifeless. Flesh tones are reddish but are close to natural tones. Grain is used and is heavy at times which obscures fine detail in panning shots. Shadow detail is strong and the scene at night when Arnold prepares to trap the Predator looks quite good. Noise is visible from time to time but I can't say for sure what its origin is. From comparing this to the DVD version (s) I believe that most of the issues seen here are inherent and not necessarily an encoding problem.

**My video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
***Comparison to the Two Disc Special Edition DVD***: I compared the blu-ray disc and DVD versions for both audio and video quality. I ran chapter 6 for each and used the DTS 5.1 channel, and DTS-HD Master Audio tracks respectively. Chapter 6 is when they storm the camp and a gun battle ensues. At the opening of the chapter Arnold and his men are looking down on the camp from the woods above. The blu-ray disc's higher resolution allows the detail in the roofs of the grass huts to be clearly discernable. With the DVD its visible but not as clearly defined. Subtle nuances such as the texture of the dirt on the closeup of Blaine's hands as he disarms a booby trap looks crisp and individualized. The DVD does not render it as cleanly and gives more of the appearance of dirty hands rather than revealing the granules of dirt. Overall the high definition image looks sharper with clearer lines and better overall all dimension.

Comparing the two audio presentations ran along similar lines. The blu-ray offered better sonic presence and articulation. Explosions had richer depth and weight while gunfire definitely revealed better dynamics. Blaine's Gatling gun sounded coherent and punchier via the DTS-HD audio than it did with the standard DTS track on the DVD. I think the sound field felt more alive during the onslaught on blu-ray as well.

The differences between the DVD and blu-ray presentations were obvious but I would not call them night and day.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
The only bonus features offered here are the theatrical trailer (high definition) and D-Box Motion Control Systems. I would like to have seen at least some of the features from the two disc special edition DVD ported over to this release.



WRAP-UP:
Predator is a film that seems to have very good staying power and a dedicated fan base. I think that even diehard fans may have reservations about picking this version up as it does not offer much of an upgrade overall when compared to the two disc special edition DVD release. However fans can be an unpredictable bunch and this blu-ray disc certainly offers image and sound quality that is appreciable.








By Ralph Potts

You have been reviewing BR discs for sometime now Ralph, would you still agree with the low score for PQ on this title if you were to view it again?
I have this title and viewed it on release but that was sometime ago, i don't recall it looking that bad though, i guess another viewing is in order.
Thanks

I think I shall be purchasing this blu-ray now...great review.

This is one I bought for my husband....

I have so many versions of Predator, it's just crasy. After watching the blu-ray version, I didn't found to be a major difference, compared to my 2-disc DVD sp.ed.

But I did notice at certain spots a better resolution, like in the jungle, for example.
Also the sound didn't seem to be a big difference either, maybe because the volume level seems to be lower compared to the DTS track of my DVD version.

It is an older film, and like many people, I also don't think that we will see better for quite some time.
But for the price of the blu-ray, I cannot complain much. It was in sale for quite a low price. Anyway, Predator is a classic sci.fi., and that alien is a great imposing creature.
One of the best from John McTiernan.
Oh, and I really like the soundtrack too.
Maybe not the best blu-ray, but a winner nonetheless in the sci.fi. genre.

just watched the high def version over hbo or show movie channels (can not remember which) on 63 b550---it was great, just a few shots that were poor picture quality, others were excellent, many shots with great depth and plenty of pop (considering most everything is suppose to be green anyway)

However now I am afraid to buy the blu-ray based on comments here as I wonder??????????????????

Anyone compare what is over FIOS on hbo or whatever and the blu-ray dvd????
Thoughts?

There is another sequel in the works I think.

For sure

Good review too..Not my kind of film but i enjoyed it

is there going to be a review for the hunter edition bluray?

+1, have seen mixed reviews on the net.

Everything I've read about points to excessive DNR. What a disappointment, as this truly is a film worthy of an excellent blu-ray transfer, but Fox's incompetence reigns supreme.