'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' - High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

Kenneth's review of 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' has been posted. He says it's a fascinating film, but not as successful as 'Time Bandits' or 'Brazil. This blu-ray sports video and audio tracks that aren't ideal, but are probably as good as they'll ever look as sound. Add to that a robust collection of supplements and you have a no-brainer for Gilliam fans and a worthwhile rental for others.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1301...unchausen.html

[QuasidodoJr]

Sounds like a purchase for me. It's not my favorite Gilliam film, but still a really good one. I look forward to it! Thanks for the review!

[cheez avenger]

Mine's been shipped, should get in on Wed.

[Blu-Balls]

"Worthwhile rent for newcomers...;" that's definately me. I just can't blind buy this.

[Westonian]

I hesitated pre-ordering this in the event that the transfer source just didn't lend itself to an HD presentation. Thankfully my fears have been assuaged! I'll definitely pick this up tomorrow!

[cheez avenger]

I just watched this yesterday and LOVED IT!!!

I still have my old Criterion Collection version from the LD. I never bothered picking it up when it was released on DVD, because it was an awful bare-bones edition.


I popped it in, and was transported to land of fantasy and wonder!


I rank this one #2 on my favorite Gilliam films of all time with Brazil being #1.


Uma Thurman is a treat at only 17 years of age. She was "fully developed" at this point. Although, she's always been a chain smoker.


My favorite line is, "Go away, I'm trying to die"!

The picture is top notch or as top notch as will ever get. The sound is in TRUE HD--which is quite loud in parts.

The supplements rock, including a BRAND NEW documentary on the disaster of the filming. Gilliam talks, Thomas Schuley talks, and NO ONE minces words. It's another great "making of" in the tradition of the Brazil, 12 Monkeys, and Lost in La Mancha. Hijinx ensue.


Do yourselves the favor and scoop it up!!!


On a side note, this disc is encoded with a firmware update 2.10 which prior to popping in the disc, I did not have. It's good to see films are being encoded with updates. I just need the later ones.

[twonunpackmule]

Anyone notice the adjusted framing? I only started to notice it during the "Venus Intro Scene". You get slightly...less Uma.

I'm sure the old DVD has a bit...more Uma.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by twonunpackmule

Anyone notice the adjusted framing? I only started to notice it during the "Venus Intro Scene". You get slightly...less Uma.

I'm sure the old DVD has a bit...more Uma.

Nooooooooooo!


Really? I don't remember a nip slip, or frontal/back view.

[twonunpackmule]

Watch both the DVD and BD. Just examine the scenes. I swear there's more Uma in the DVD, than in the BD. I think they adjusted the framing.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by twonunpackmule

Watch both the DVD and BD. Just examine the scenes. I swear there's more Uma in the DVD, than in the BD. I think they adjusted the framing.

I don't have the dvd, I have an old Criterion Collection dub, from the laserdisc but no longer use the VCR.


Okay, I just saw it on youtube and it looks fine.

I'll double check the new dvd.

[Scripture]

I'm a fan of Terry Gilliam and his films, and 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' is amongst my favorites. It's a whimsical tale that defies all conventional methods, and for me it really works. To put things in perspective, if you've never seen this movie before and you liked 'Stardust', then I think that you will enjoy this one. I remember seeing this decades ago, and I was really excited to see this again on Blu-ray. This Blu-ray version is brimming with crisp colors and has a strong vibrancy to it, and I found myself daydreaming back to lost times when I first saw it. It's a great overhaul, with the characters and images rendered in crisp, clean lines. I was really impressed with the amount of detail, as it added quite a bit to the overall ambiance of the film. This is the type of film that is a nice marriage for high-definition. Don't get me wrong, there's scenes where there's noticeable grain and soft spots, but it never detracts from the enjoyment of what you're watching. I wasn't as impressed with the audio, as it really seemed to be lacking in a bombastic flair. I had to turn the volume up a bit, but not really that big of a deal to me.

Another thing that I wanted to point out, was that this was a strong performance from John Neville. He really personified "Baron von Munchausen", with his mannerisms and demeanor being expertly delivered. He really does shine as the lead in his role. Also of note, it's rather easy on the eyes seeing a young, voluptuous Uma Thurman (despite not playing a prominent role). I found the cast to be downright delightful, with Eric Idle and Robin Williams also turning in nice performances. I was really pleased to get the Baron on Blu-ray, and quite impressed with the transfer. This is the kind of movie that I pop in on a rainy day, and just drink in the magical, quirky, and outlandish audacity that it offers. Multiple viewings are a given, for me personally. If you're a fan of anything remotely bizarre with dry humor, then look no further!

'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen' delivers the goods, and it's really a fun trip. I was extremely pleased with this transfer. Twonunpackmule, I went back to the DVD and can't see the framing issue on the "Venus Intro". I'll have to look again, but I didn't see a framing issue upon my first comparison. It's hard to compare, because I don't have two televisions right next to each other for a proper side-by-side view. Maybe someone else can chime in with a better setup.

A modicum of snuff can be most efficacious!!

[twonunpackmule]

Originally Posted by Scripture

Adventures of Baron Munchausen' delivers the goods, and it's really a fun trip. I was extremely pleased with this transfer. Twonunpackmule, I went back to the DVD and can't see the framing issue on the "Venus Intro". I'll have to look again, but I didn't see a framing issue upon my first comparison. It's hard to compare, because I don't have two televisions right next to each other for a proper side-by-side view. Maybe someone else can chime in with a better setup.

A modicum of snuff can be most efficacious!!

Well, the nip slip wasn't ever that "huge, and apparent"(I use quotes to make jest). It's right when the MCU, of the cupid passing by Uma to wrap her...err..."assets".

The BD you only see the top half of the areola. On the DVD, you see the whole show.

This is an extremely odd observation, I know. It's mildly perverted...I'm well aware. However, it was something that I noticed.