Ghost Rider – Extended Cut (Blu-ray)

 

Picture: A-     Sound: A-     Extras: C+     Film: B-

 

 

After enjoying the DVD set of Ghost Rider as much as I did, I was anxious to see the Blu-ray version.  My previous review for the DVDs about the film is:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5542/Ghost+Rider+–+2-Disc+Extended+Cut

 

 

Though it may not have all the extras from that set, it retains two commentary tracks, the never-before-seen footage and three documentary pieces.  So how much better a performer is the film in this higher format?

 

 

The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image is a big jump from my problems with the DVD-Video in much the way the Blu-rays of the first two Pirates Of The Carribean films were.  They all get away with much of their digital because of the stylization and the richness, sharpness, color fidelity and depth is much more like the 35mm print I saw.  Russell Boyd’s work is really done justice here.

 

The sound is here in standard French Dolby Digital 5.1 and two higher fidelity 5.1 mixes.  Sony once again has the usual, standard PCM 16/48 5.1 mix but also has added a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix that is just that much better and once again in line with Superhero genre films having some of the best sound design around.  Both make interesting comparisons to the DTS and even lesser standard Dolby 5.1 English mixes on the regular DVD, giving audiophiles an unprecedented chance to examine a great sound mix in four encodings.  You could spend hours just enjoying the sound design, but the Dolby TrueHD is your best bet.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo