'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' - High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

Drew has reviewed 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off.' He says this is a no-brainer for fans. This Blu-ray sports improved video, greatly improved sound, and some interesting extras. Based on the strength of the film, along with some subtle upgrades, this one is highly recommended.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2125...ersdayoff.html

[Bourne]

So worth the purchase!

[Attebery]

I'm tempted. I actually have the DVD two versions back that has the Hughes commentary. Interesting stuff.

[Hi-Def Steve]

This might be my favorite Hughes movie so this was a no-brainer for me. The Blu-ray looks great as well.

[joeymac]

I'm about to blow your minds... 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off = Fight Club' and vice-a-verse.

Oh yes, you know it's true. Cameron = Narrator/Cornelius

Anyone heard that theory?

[Mr. Mojo]

I know I'm in the minority but I've always thought that this was the most overrated of the John Hughes films.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mojo

I know I'm in the minority but I've always thought that this was the most overrated of the John Hughes films.

I've always thought that about WEIRD SCIENCE, and I get the same funny looks you probably get. That being said, you're out of your gourd!

[Alaneye]

I wish there was some other way of reviewing PQ on HD disks as it's getting confusing.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat this - this is by no means a great looking transfer, but the film itself is able to overcome this."

"There's a fair amount of grain and detail is often forgone in favor of a flatter, more washed-out look."

"While this isn't a noteworthy presentation, by any stretch of the imagination, it still works within the film, and is leaps and bounds beyond previous home video incarnations."

It's getting hard to know what the reviewer is criticising these days...is it the transfer or the original look of the cinematography? Is it film grain or compression? I'm only interested in knowing about how good it transferred, not if the reviewer liked the way the movie was shot, or if it looks as good as Transformers or whatever.

Case in point: I held off buying the Die Hard movies because of the criticisms of the first two. But I got them yesterday and was more than impressed with the upgrade. I'm not sure what's going on, but I feel I may be missing out on great movies due to poor PQ reviews when I would be perfectly happy with them.

Ferris is on its way. I'll let you know what I think when it arrives.

Alan

[typ44q]

I love this movie and have seen it dozens of times but only ever on TV, I am pretty sure this is going to be a big upgrade for me

[crazzeto]

I'll have to add this to my collection

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Alaneye

It's getting hard to know what the reviewer is criticising these days...is it the transfer or the original look of the cinematography?

The two things are inextricably tied together, and both require equal weight.

[Gunyaga]

I've got to partially disagree, in that I think the reviewer could, and probably should make it clear that as per the movie in the theater or the series on TV, the disc is or is not a good representation thereof (I think this is implied in this review).

I'm not following why they are inextricably tied together? I have a feeling we're on two different pages here, but take BSG as a glaring example, the darn thing was grainy on TV, and was grainy on HD DVD. There were some other issues that were ironed out as to whether they were due to the transfer, or existed in the source. Either way, you were getting some grain and noise that was already there, and it was important to discuss which was which.
Now from a viewpoint of comments the reviewer makes regarding their impression of the movie's impact and overall pic quality, then ya, I'll concede opinions are opinions, and it's silly to think that the impact a film has on a reviewer is not affected by the overall comparison to other flicks, and it's also silly to think the reviewer can always extricate one from the other for purposes of how it impacts them.
I've noticed some reviewers making a point of commenting separately on how faithfully they feel the blu ray represents the source, and welcome this as a good disclaimer so to speak before assessing by opinion thereafter or before.

[Kiamat]

I would have liked for them to add at least the pilot if not all of the short run Ferris Bueller tv show for novelty's sake.

[Gunyaga]

That would have been awesome! Also would have forced me to buy first day...

[Alaneye]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

The two things are inextricably tied together, and both require equal weight.

No they are not. If the transfer accurately shows what the movie looked like at the cinema then that is good enough for me. Each maybe commented on of course, but I believe they need to be clearly defined as either a problem of the transfer (improvable) or as the original film was supposed to look (not improvable, or perhaps should be left as is). If the reviewer didn't like the original look of the film, fair enough that he should be allowed to give his/her view, but let's not get that mixed in with the quality of the transfer which might cause people to miss out on the present release in hopes of a better one coming along.

We have the same in the audio review:

"Again - the lossless Dolby Digital TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack is strong, but won't blow the doors off your rumpus room (not that you'd think it would). "

Why even bother saying that? This is Ferris Bueller's Day Off, not True Lies. It just adds negativity where there shouldn't be any.