Alien Vs. Predator (Blu-ray/Unrated + PG-13 Versions)

 

Picture: B     Sound: A-*     Extras: C+     Film Cut/Uncut: C/C+

 

 

We have covered Alien vs. Predator (2004) twice before on regular DVD, but now, it is back in what will be its definitive version on Blu-ray.  Fox has issued a 50GB disc with all the extras and both versions of the film.  The links to our previous reviews are as follows:

 

Original Widescreen Version

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2017/Alien+Vs.+Predator+(Widescreen/PG-13)

 

Uncut Edition

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3023/Alien+Vs.+Predator+-+The+Unrated

 

 

Those are two separate reviews of the film and two is more than enough.  What I want to do with this review is cover this Blu-ray as one of the best early performers in the format.  First, despite the use of digital in the film, some of which holds up surprisingly well, you get both versions of the film looking better than their DVD incarnations.  The 1080p digital 2.35 X 1 MPEG-2 @ 18 MBPS High Definition image was shot in Super 35 and the extra footage is again just fine.  The uncut shots have blood that still looks phony because it is partly High Definition Red, but that and some general overdigitization are the only things that hold back the picture.  Video Black, Video White, depth and battle scenes are all improved.

 

But what really makes this impressive is that the sound is upgraded from a best of standard 24-bit/48kHz DTS 5.1 has been outdone by DTS HD MA (Master Audio) in a 5.1 lossless mix.  Though the chip to play it fully is not out yet, it is obviously superior when played back to the lesser extent available offering some of the best sound in either HD format.  Much has been made of Warner using Dolby TrueHD on their top HD-DVD titles (and those tracks not landing up on the Blu-ray versions of any titles, though the later two have not been issued on Blu-ray yet) for releases like Superman Returns, V For Vendetta and Batman Begins, now known as among the best demo discs around for sound alone.

 

The DTS HD on this Alien vs. Predator Blu-ray can be added as just as impressive.  Sound has always been a hallmark of the Alien franchise and the two Predator films have their moments, but Fox has been on the money about sound for decades and no mater the flaws of this film in either version, the sound is inarguably a fine mix with good character typical of Paul W.S. Anderson’s best work.  If the upgrade in DTS was not amazing enough, it also adds the D-BOX Motion Control System to the sound first used in the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (and sadly not Dolby TrueHD and/or DTS HD Master Audio) for the HD-DVD and even standard DVD releases of Peter Jackson’s King Kong.

 

The D-BOX Technology Odyssee Motion Simulator is a new version of the classic system Sensurround, except that it has more direct bass and motion placement like a specialty amusement park attraction.  Most people will not have this item either as of this posting, but it may catch on and this will be one of the primary titles that will make its success possible.  We look forward to retesting the sound on this title often.  Expect it to become one of the great sound demos for years to come.

 

Extras repeat everything from the original DVDs and upgrade the original trailer to HD.  For more reviews on the Alien and Predator series, try the following links:

 

 

Alien (DTS DVD-Video Set)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/670/Alien+(DTS+DVD+set)

 

Aliens with Extended Director’s Cut (DTS DVD-Video Set)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/671/Aliens+(remastered+DVD-Video+set)

 

Alien 3 with Extended Director’s Cut (DTS DVD-Video Set)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/672/Alien+3+(Expanded+Work+Cut+DVD

 

Alien Resurrection (DTS DVD-Video Set)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/673/Alien+Resurrection+(DTS+DVD-Video

 

Alien Quadrilogy (Bonus DVD-Video)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/674/Alien+Quadrilogy+(DVD-Video+Bonus

 

Predator (DTS DVD)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1944/Predator:+Widescreen+Collector's+Edition+(DTS/2004)

 

Predator 2 (DTS DVD)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1949/Predator+2:+Widescreen+Collector

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo