[eric.exe]

The Sony version has the "look" of an oldish transfer; a slightly digital appearance, dull colors, some ringing (from sharpening?). Of course that infamous Sony insider claims that they did a new scan for the remastered release. Maybe Sony used an inferior print? Who knows.

Gaumont, the production company for a lot of Besson's films, created new transfers for the Blu-ray releases of his films (we got the new one for Leon). Like Leon the contrast is heavily boosted with a push towards the yellow tones.


The Gaumont screenshots here are from the Scandinavian release (Region B). The English audio track is DTS-MA 5.1 and the menus are in English. There is also a French release and a Japanese release utilizing this new transfer.

Sony US | Gaumont Scandinavia

 

[DavidHir]

I have no idea about the yellowish tone and contrast of the Gaumont version, but the Sony version looks a bit more digital.

 

[rlsmith]

I don't know this film well enough to be definitive (I have seen it theatrically during original release and seen it countless times in DVD demos). The color balance of the Gaumont release does not, however, seem correct. Colors look much brighter but lack the richness of the Sony transfer.


Some shots of the Gaumont release (e.g.,the girl on the ledge, the three guys standing together) appear to be too smooth and grain-free.


I am skeptical about the Gaumont.

 

[42041]

Looks like a fairly marginal improvement in resolution at the expense of slightly wacky colors, neither one has that "new movie" quality. Moot point for me though, I despiiiiise this movie

 

[Whiggles]

Shame about the contrast boosting. Apart from it, the Gaumont release looks noticeably better. I have a hard time believing the Sony re-release was from a new master, despite what the infamous "insider" claims. The Gaumont release, however, with its noticeable yellow tint and pushed contrasts, looks very similar to the various other recent retransfers of Besson films (e.g. LEON), so I have no trouble believing it was done at the same time/by the same people.

 

[jvillain]

I think the Gaumont release looks like crap compared to the Sony release. Where is the detail in the Gaumont release? It looks like they took the old transfer and just jacked the brightness.

 

[dvdmike007]

All Gaumont Besson movies look like this, makes you wonder if it was Besson's idea

 

[eric.exe]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dvdmike007 /forum/post/18953341


All Gaumont Besson movies look like this now, makes you wonder if it was Besson's idea

Fixed

 

[Whiggles]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dvdmike007 /forum/post/18953341


All Gaumont Besson movies look like this, makes you wonder if it was Besson's idea

I seem to remember it being confirmed somewhere that Besson supervised (or at least approved) the new LEON master, which would certainly suggest that he is at least happy with that look, even if it wasn't his idea.

 

[Rathbone]

Sony looks far superior. Seems like the same master with some atrocious contrast boosting from Gaumont.

 

[Zacabeb]

It's a shame Gaumont overshot the contrast and color, because lacking the EE of the Sony version is a nice improvement. Then again, some of the blown out areas in the Gaumont version may retain some detail in WTW region (although the curtains in shot #14 are probably done for even with WTW intact).

 

[ChuckZ]

I'm on the Sony bandwagon here. The new master is too bright and loses a lot of shadows in the picture. Also, the Gaumont release looks degrained a bit. The Sony release looks far more faithful to the original film, "new master" or not.

 

[BenUK]

Yea the contrast boosting on the presidents face on his side shot is quite noticeable, its blown out the details on his cheek & nose.


I agree with the previous poster, the Sony version does look more "digital" compared to the Gaumont release, but looks to be DNR scrubbed and has odd colours. I do however think the Sony master is a tad too dark, something in between the two would be nice.

 

[42041]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckZ /forum/post/18953536


Also, the Gaumont release looks degrained a bit.

Which capture? I've only looked at a few of them but they seem to look okay in that regard. Worth noting that sharpening will bring out the grain a lot.

 

[dvdmike007]



Quote:
Originally Posted by eric.exe /forum/post/0


Fixed

Touché

 

[FitzRoy]

It looks more to me like Sony's has some slight EE rather than Gaumont having DNR. It's pretty obvious that Sony's contrast is better, though.


And Gaumont shows more information vertically. Is this a new aspect ratio?

 

[DavidHir]

The Sony transfer just has a bit of that older scanned look to it.

 

[Geoff D]

Christ, Besson loves cranking that contrast dial to 11. I still wouldn't mind seeing this version in action though, as I loooooves this film.

 

[Whiggles]

I've ordered myself a copy from DVDoo.

 

[Patsfan123]

I think I would have to see both in motion to judge which I like better. I think the Gaumont version looks newer with DI style grain. The Sony transfer shows it's age while the Gaumont one makes it look like a much newer film.. I don't like the blown out whites though.