Biggest letdown?

[maxjohnson1971]

I just watched Miami Vice on HDDVD last night and a lot of that movie didn't lend itself to an HD format. Ironically, it was filmed entirely in HD. This wasn't a problem with the format, but the source material. The daytime scenes looked great, but the rest? Eh.

What let you guys down?

Later,
Max

[Squozen]

Biggest letdown for me is region coding on Blu-ray. Americans can ignore it but it's a right royal pain in the arse for everybody else.

[maxjohnson1971]

Yeah, that is a big letdown. HUGE letdown actually, but what you gonna do right?

Later,
Max

[exrob]

Originally Posted by maxjohnson1971

I just watched Miami Vice on HDDVD last night and a lot of that movie didn't lend itself to an HD format. Ironically, it was filmed entirely in HD. This wasn't a problem with the format, but the source material. The daytime scenes looked great, but the rest? Eh.

What let you guys down?

Later,
Max

No way. As someone who owned both the HD DVD and standard DVD version of this film, there was a huge difference. I am troubled to see how you couldn't? If not for the audio alone? The gunfight scene, speedboats in the beginning, etc. there is a HUGE difference.

That aside one of my biggest letdowns was Training Day.

[maxjohnson1971]

I think you misunderstood my original post. I didn't say the video or audio quality wasn't good, I am only saying that a lot of the scenes didn't lend themselves that wonderfully to an HD format. I found a lot of the movie grainy and muted is all, but I realize that that is how the film is supposed to look. That's all I was saying.

Haven't watched my Training Day HDDVD yet, but now you got me worried.

Later,
Max

[Josh Z]

Here's an article about Miami Vice's photography that I suggest you read to understand not just that the grainy image was intentional, but why the grainy image was intentional:

http://www.reverseshot.com/article/michael_mann

In fact, this entire series of articles is pretty instructive:

http://www.reverseshot.com/section/goes_digital

[ben1080p]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

Here's an article about Miami Vice's photography that I suggest you read to understand not just that the grainy image was intentional, but why the grainy image was intentional:

http://www.reverseshot.com/article/michael_mann

In fact, this entire series of articles is pretty instructive:

http://www.reverseshot.com/section/goes_digital

yea..about any Michael Mann film is going to have the same looks.
Collateral is going to be grainy as well, but still look great.

[JackHunt]

I thought Miami Vice looked pretty good. The movie, not so good. For like the 1st half hour, all they do is talk on cell phones, what the hell is that?

My biggest let down so far was Superman Returns HD DVD, Made me think why did I just buy this used for $10? Damn.

And Backdraft. I convinced myself; sure the fire will look great. That doesn't change the fact that it's the worst movie ever

[HDSpoiled]

You didn't like Backdraft? I was thought is was pretty good.

[i_like_fishsticks]

My biggest letdown isn't so much a movie, but the anemic extras that are included. If I am paying top dollar for any HD release why why why are the special features from the SD movie not ported over? Is there not plenty of room on the disc for these to be included? I think that is my only real letdown.

[Super-VHS]

Originally Posted by i_like_fishsticks

My biggest letdown isn't so much a movie, but the anemic extras that are included. If I am paying top dollar for any HD release why why why are the special features from the SD movie not ported over? Is there not plenty of room on the disc for these to be included? I think that is my only real letdown.

RO-BO-COP.

Damn you Fox!!!!!

I'd have to agree that this is probably the biggest letdown for me as well... movies like Man on Fire, The Usual Suspects, other Fox crap - hell even something not from Fox like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy makes me extremely disappointed.

[SoupRKnowva]

i think my biggest letdown was when i realised that even the best looking movies from a normal sitting position, when you get up close they almost look theres a dithering effect on the whole screen, cept for the matrix, i jut noticed that the other day....and i know, its not that big of a deal, cuase i dont sit on top of my tv, and it would be asking to much for it to look perfect, but still....and then probably equilibrium, i know its supposed to look that way, but who doesnt want there favortie movies to look perfect :P

[thisisnian]

Originally Posted by Squozen

Biggest letdown for me is region coding on Blu-ray. Americans can ignore it but it's a right royal pain in the arse for everybody else.

I live in Australia and I have no problems with it. All my discs are region A or region free anyway. I don't rent any discs, I don't buy any discs from Australia (too expensive).

I believe region coding (or lack of) can be attributed to HD DVD's demise...

Speaking of Miami Vice, I have that on HD, it was a very big letdown for a film filmed in High Def. Picture quality wasn't that good.

[Ruffles]

If we´re talking movies I think The Fugitive was a let down. I really looked forward to owning the movie in HD and I read the Highdef Digest review but was very disappointed with the picture quality. Blurry and grainy, certainly NOT what I´ve learned to expect from HD DVD! I´m careful not to buy HD DVD movies that people and/or reviewers have had complaints on, so this is the only movie I´m really disappointed in so far. I guess I´ve stayed away from the rest.

[thisisnian]

Most grain is intended, coming straight from my mind
300, miami vice

It's not the transfer but the way the film was shot that annoys me (Miami Vice)

300 was bearable though.