'Meaning of Life' - High-Def Digest review

[jed]

Just posted Kenneth's review of 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.' Unfortunately, he says this HD DVD edition doesn't offer much of an upgrade over the Special Edition DVD. The video and audio are average at best, and while the supplements are fun to dig through, as you might expect, they're duplicates of the features already found on the DVD.

Full review here:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/monty...ingoflife.html

[Space_Butler]

I'm never trusting this site again. TWO AND A FREAKING HALF STARS for video? This is as good as it's going to get based on the source material, and while a couple sequences in the beginning are really grainy, some sequences are absolutely fantastic (especially the animated bits. Those have never looked sharper). Does the reviewer go into this with the preconcieved notion that if it's a Universal transfer it's going to suck? This was a much more crisp-looking disc than Bruce Almighty, yet it scored lower.

Thanks, "Kenneth", for showing how inept this site is at video judgements. Does anyone have other sites they go to for review? Because this is the absolute last straw for me.

[Blurry]

I have to second Space Butler in that while it is not close to demo material, I still feel that it was a decent transfer for what it was. There were in fact a number of scenes which had great detail, even if there were others where it didn't blow you away.

Basically it represents the state of movie as it is without a full restoration (and I am not sure how much good a full restoration would do for it, in any case). I respect Kenneth for his perspective on the movie, but personally I prefer to have a more balanced view on these releases.

[Space_Butler]

What kills me is Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty at least got 3 stars. Meaning that this movie was less impressive to him than the Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty transfers. That, right there, should show how off the mark he is.

I can't wait till next week to hear how Big Lebowski is another "rush job not better than the dvd", when other sites have given it high marks.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...ebowski_hd.htm

[Ken Brown]

Originally Posted by Space_Butler

I'm never trusting this site again. TWO AND A FREAKING HALF STARS for video? This is as good as it's going to get based on the source material, and while a couple sequences in the beginning are really grainy, some sequences are absolutely fantastic (especially the animated bits. Those have never looked sharper). Does the reviewer go into this with the preconcieved notion that if it's a Universal transfer it's going to suck? This was a much more crisp-looking disc than Bruce Almighty, yet it scored lower.

Thanks, "Kenneth", for showing how inept this site is at video judgements. Does anyone have other sites they go to for review? Because this is the absolute last straw for me.

Here's some other sites with reviews for this release -- but they give it similar marks:

Home Theater Spot:
http://www.hometheaterspot.com/fusio...hp?tid/137545/

Upcoming Discs:
http://www.upcomingdiscs.com/dvd_rev...type=disc_type

DVDTown Seemed to Like it Though (moreso because they factor in the print difficulties):
http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/monty...g-of-life/4847

I think the key here (or in any review like this), is that rating the video based on specific circumstances (like print age or issues) would skew ratings. Yes, this film had terrible source problems -- but that shouldn't automatically justify a higher score. Otherwise, how could you trust the consistency of our ratings across the high-def formats? I have to take the video of this release, place it side by side with other releases, and determine where it falls.

'The Meaning of Life' doesn't look as good as 'Liar Liar' and 'Liar Liar' doesn't look nearly as good as 'Born on the Fourth of July.' Thus the progression -- 2.5 for 'Meaning,' 3 for 'Liar Liar,' and 4 for 'Born on the Fourth of July.' If I gave 'Meaning of Life' a 4 because it does well in light of source problems, what does that say about 'Born on the Fourth of July?' I would be rating films on two different criteria and that would be unbalanced and biased.

I'm certainly not trying to argue -- but it's our responsibility to our readers to tell you what you can expect compared to the best and the worst high-def has to offer regardless of mastering difficulties or fan outcry.

Thanks as always for posting. Remember that our ratings are simply guidelines and are offered as help.

[Spideybat]

The original SD was so poor I threw it away years ago. So be content with the improvement.