Predator – Ultimate Hunter Edition (1987/Fox Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B+ Film: B+
Predator like First Blood is a film that epitomizes the macho, blow-em’-up films
of the 1980’s. That is not to say that Predator had no depth or creativity,
because it certainly did, but it also embodied the heart of a popcorn chomping,
all out fun film.
Otherwise
I feel the film has been adequately discussed multiple times on this site and
the main focus for this review should be on the Blu-ray upgrade as compared to
the 2008 release.
Both the
2008 Predator Blu-ray and the 2004
DVD release reviews can be found at the links below:
Predator (Blu-ray)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6826/Predator+%281987/Blu-ray%29
Predator (2004 DVD)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1944/Predator:+Widescreen+Collector%27s
The
technical features for this new 2010 release are a bit odd to breakdown, but I
will do my best. It seems that Fox truly
listened to fans when they complained about the dirt, debris and grain found on
the previous Blu-ray release; maybe even listening too hard. The 1080p 1.85 X 1 AVC Encoded @ 33 MBPS 50GB
Dual Layered disc suffers from too much digital noise reduction. Whereas the film looked somewhat nasty
before, with high amounts of grit and grime flying across the screen; now you
can hardly tell Predator was every
made on film. The image is crisp, clean
and clear; normally things I would applaud, but now I think Fox traded out bad
for a different kind of bad. Some of the
cinematic depth is stripped from Predator
with this edition; which for all intents and purposes is a dirty, bloody,
jungle, action film. Now I must say I
will take this release over the previous as the grittiness of the last film was
too much, but this image is still problematic.
There is color, there is detail and an overall crispness; but the
detexturizing with DNR was too much. The
sound is a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that has been ported over from the previous
release and sounds just as good. This
films sound is all about power and this Blu-ray truly delivers with brilliant BOOMS
and solid directionality that puts you in the heat of the battle. The musical scores (created by Alan
Silvestri) for the film project with ease and bring life to the
production. Overall, a great sound
production even if the picture quality did have its own issues.
The
extras include a plethora of material to hut through. The extras are as follows Predator: Evolution of a Species-Hunters of
Extreme Perfection; Audio Commentary by Director John McTiernan; Text
Commentary by Film Historian Eric Lichtenfeld; If it Bleeds, We can Kill It:
The Making of Predator; Inside the Predator Featurettes; Special Effects
Featurettes; Short Takes with the Filmmakers; Deleted Scenes and Outtakes;
Photo Gallery and Predator Profile; Sneak Peak at the New Predators film.
WOW! That is a ton of extras to get through, but sadly mostly all the extras
are ported over from the 2004 DVD and are quite dry at that. The audio commentary with director John
McTiernan is boring as heck and I wish Arnold
stampeded in the room just for a moment to wake me up. The only new extra is Predator: Evolution of a Species that essential chronicles the
impact Predator has had on fans and
the industry, nice but not wonderful.
All the rest has been released before and is ‘blah’ at that.
I can not
whole heartedly recommend this Blu-ray for those who already own the previous
release. Yes, it is SOMEWHAT better than the 2008 Blu-ray, but for those who
jump out windows when studios overuse DNR, stay away from this release. Aronold at times looks more like a greased
up, shiny Mr. Universe than military covert specialist Dutch.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
