Speed Racer

["The Dude"]

The Digitalbits:

Here's some official details for Warner's Speed Racer, set to debut on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on 9/16. The DVD will be available in anamorphic widescreen and full frame versions (SRP $28.98 each), each with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Extras will include 2 featurettes (the Spritle in the Big Leagues tour of the set with Paulie Litt, and a Speed Racer: Supercharged! featurette on the drivers, cars and tracks of the World Racing League). The Blu-ray Disc version will include that, along with a Speed Racer: Car-Fu Cinema featurette on the special effects, the Speed Racer: Crucible Challenge interactive game and a Digital Copy version of the film. Unfortunately, we've confirmed that the Blu-ray is a BD-25 with just Dolby Digital 5.1 audio rather than TrueHD, which is a real shame. If ever a film deserved BD-50/TrueHD treatment on Blu-ray, it's this one. I suppose, however, in light of how badly the film tanked, it shouldn't be unexpected. In any case, we can also confirm that the Blu-ray will be a 3-disc set (though sadly, not as good as it sounds), including the BD disc and 2 DVD discs, one with the Digital Copy and one with the Speed Racer: Crucible Challenge interactive game. Here's the cover art for all three versions...

Looks like WB is back to their old ways - no lossless audio. I don't get it all.

[jbat31]

Originally Posted by "The Dude"

The Digitalbits:



Looks like WB is back to their old ways - no lossless audio. I don't get it all.

its because warner probably does not want to invest in a movie that tanked bad at the box office and will probably tank bad on home video. Batman and Robin was better than this

[cherno]

Well at least they matched things up for once, crap movie gets crap HD treatment.

[ganthc]

This movie looks so bad that I have no interest in seeing it in HD even.

[Pirate]

This is horseshit. I can totally understand why people hate this film, but shortchanging the BD doesn’t make much sense. So many films nowadays find their audience on DVD, and Speed Racer will be a curiosity for many who didn’t want to pay ticket prices to see it. And Speed Racer could easily be demo material for the drooling "3D-pop" masses, so hopefully they’ll at least give the transfer a nice polish.

I respected what the Wachowski’s were trying to do with this film, even if they didn’t succeed. I’ll happily put myself in the minority with this one and wag my finger at Warner. Far worse films have gotten far better HD treatment.

[SilentBob]

Well being one of the few who did see the film i can't wait for the film to be released on Blu-ray for the eye candy alone. Although the Digital Bits is reporting the complete opposite of what HighDefDigest.com is saying

In a studio first, Warner will bundle the September Blu-ray release of 'Speed Racer' as a 3-disc set with an exclusive videogame and Digital Copy.
Though taking a drubbing from critics and flopping spectacularly with a dismal worldwide gross of only $85 million (against a reported $200 million production and marketing budget), 'Speed Racer' seems poised to be as a high-def demo disc with its candy-colored visuals and elaborate CGI.

Warner will give the Wachowski Brothers-helmed flick a Blu-ray push on September 16 (day-and-date with the standard DVD), releasing 'Speed Racer' as a deluxe three-disc set.

Tech specs will see the main feature spread across a BD-50 dual-layer disc, with 1080p/VC-1 video and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround soundtrack.
The feature disc will be joined by a pair of bonus standard DVD platters exclusive to the Blu-ray release. The first bonus disc will include the fully playable videogame "Speed Racer Crucible Challenge," with the second containing a Digital Copy of the film (SD only) for viewing on PCs and other portable video devices.

There are no details on further supplements, but the full press release is due in the coming days, so as always we'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, you'll find the latest specs for 'Speed Racer' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 16.

I hope they are right because WB is really starting to get sloppy on their new releases and lack of TrueHD tracks

[Derb]

Blu-ray.com - Speed Racer Announced for Blu-ray; The Matrix Next?

They also report a TrueHD track.

WHV has been fairly consistent PQ wise for the majority of their releases but they better realize picture ain't everything. I hope they get a serious beat down if they encode any New Line titles without lossless audio. There is still plenty of time to remaster the audio track for Blow.

[ganthc]

Especially since all New Line titles had lossless sound. I think that Warner should keep the tradition going, though I wish they would use DTS-HDMA instead of TrueHD, but I'll take THD over plain ol' DD anyday.

["The Dude"]

Originally Posted by Derb

Blu-ray.com - Speed Racer Announced for Blu-ray; The Matrix Next?

They also report a TrueHD track.

WHV has been fairly consistent PQ wise for the majority of their releases but they better realize picture ain't everything. I hope they get a serious beat down if they encode any New Line titles without lossless audio. There is still plenty of time to remaster the audio track for Blow.

I just got an email from Bill Hunt, telling me to check his site. Apparently, it has been comfirmed that LA Confidental and Blow WILL sport TrueHD tracks and both will be on BD50 discs. It looks like Speed Racer will sport a TrueHD track on a BD50 disc as well, although he's still trying to confirm Speed Racer. Maybe some press releases are coming out with the incorrect info.

[ganthc]

You would think Warner would want to nip that in the bud. They are already getting the rep as the only studio that isn't on the lossless bandwagon...to their detriment.

[Pirate]

[SilentBob]

Warner Bros and a new ad for the release Confirms TrueHD track on disc

["The Dude"]

Originally Posted by SilentBob

Warner Bros and a new ad for the release Confirms TrueHD track on disc

Must be a typo. I just read over at the bits that it has been confirmed - Speed Racer will be on a BD25 disc and have DD 5.1 only - no TrueHD. With those confirmed and the hefty price tag attached to this title, this is a definately a no sale for me.

I know that this film isn't Citizen Kane or anything, but it had the potential to be THE reference disc, or at least one of them. Oh well.........

[supercutz]

Warner really screwed the pooch on this one. This movie didn't make money at the box office and the studio is doing their best to make sure the same thing happens on Blu. Damn shame. Here's hoping they wise up and do the right thing. F the extras, WB. Just give us the movie with the PQ and AQ us HDM enthusiasts deserve. We're paying premium dollar. The least we deserve is a premium product.