Anamorphic "Armageddon"- any news?

[Cap42086]

Yes, I know the movie sucked, but even its detractors can't stray away from the fact that it has some pretty fucking awesome special effects.

So it befuddles me that there are two editions of the film on DVD (Buena Vist and Criterion) and neither one has an anamorphic transfer. I'm especially surprised with Criterion in regards to get, but I guess they did the best with what they were given.

So would it kill them to rerelease the film with an anamorphic transfer? Does not the DVD community desere it? I mean, even Michael Bay has fans.

And while you're at it, throw in a DTS (maybe even an ES) mix and you've got real potential for a kick-ass demo disc. Am I right?

So my question is this: has anyone heard anything about a rerelease of the film in anamorphic? I've heard a few quiet whispers, but nothing serious. So?

[Naminator]

Originally posted by Cap42086
Yes, I know the movie sucked, but even its detractors can't stray away from the fact that it has some pretty fucking awesome special effects.

Some of the best effects I've ever seen, come to think of it. Digital Domain is god.

I, too, would be interested in an anamorphic transfer of this flick, not to mention some nice audio goodies. Despite how much of a stuck-up bum wipe Michael Bay is, he makes some damn good-looking movies. I find myself entertained every time I pop in one of his movies (Except Bad Boys). That includes Pearl Harbor, too. I am prepared for the onslaught...

The only reason I didn't buy the Criterion version for myself was due to the non-anamorphic transfer. When I saw the Buena Vista version on sale for $10, I couldn't resist...

[Cap42086]

Originally posted by Naminator
Digital Domain is god.

Yes, you've made that apparent on several occasions.

You know what? I'm going to write a letter to Disney write now and inquire about--nay--DEMAND an anamorphic transfer on this visually impressive film.

Say it with me people: I want films on DVD on DVD anamorphically enhanced in their original aspect ratio and I'm not going to take it anymore!

I could write for a bumper sticker company.

[Locke_]

I really like the first hour of the movie the most (to the left off), but I like the whole thing. I never realized how much work was really put into until the Criterion featurettes. I like the DVD set.

[buckster666]

The R2 & R4 DVD version of Armageddon are in Anamorphic, but the R1 has more extras.

[lopper]

As much as I hate this movie, I would actually pay real American dollars for a version with an anamorphic transfer and a DTS track.

I didn't know that the Criterion release didn't have an anamorphic transfer until I came upon this thread. I think that's kind of odd. Did this DVD come out in the early days of the format?

Also, what other movies has Digital Domain done the FX work for? I'm sure I've seen and probably own some of the films with their work in them, but I'm not not too up to date on my special effects houses.

[jonathan_little]

I've held off buying this movie with the hopes that a better version will come someday. I thought a lot of the humor in the first part of the film was well done, but this film drags once the crap on the asteriod (or is it a meteor?) starts.

I'm afraid it will at least a year until anybody thinks of releasing this again because of the Columbia disaster.

[Porkchop]

Originally posted by lopper
Also, what other movies has Digital Domain done the FX work for? I'm sure I've seen and probably own some of the films with their work in them, but I'm not not too up to date on my special effects houses.

Titanic, True Lies, Apollo 13, Dante's Peak, The Fifth Element, and the flood with the horses in it from Fellowship of the Ring, to name a few.

[Gigashadow]

Digital Domain is good you'll get no arguement from me on that however the FX god title goes to ILM. DD may be god's little brother in this case, but not god. Without ILM a place like DD wouldn't even exist.

For the guy who asked what Digital Domain had done:
http://us.imdb.com/List?special-effe...ain%20%5Bus%5D

[jezDVD1]

The 2 disc R4 SE came out about 18 months ago, it has all the features of the criterion version but is ANAMORPHIC

and with the exchange rate would cost less than US$20

[Riedenschneider]

Originally posted by lopper
I didn't know that the Criterion release didn't have an anamorphic transfer until I came upon this thread. I think that's kind of odd. Did this DVD come out in the early days of the format?

First Criterion DVD: Amacord (Spine#4) / The 400 Blows (Spine#5) both March 1998
First Anamorphic C-DVD: Insomnia (Spine#47) July 1999

All spines from 1 - 46 (*with an AR wider than 1.33) have no anamorphic transfers.
Starting with Life of Brian #61, all spines (*) have anamorphic transfers.
Spines 48 - 60 (*) are all non anamorphic except: The Unbearable Lightness of Being # 55, Peeping Tom # 58.

I hope I got it right...

[sub780lime]

i enjoy this movie a lot, mainly for the cast, i wouldnt mind another release, i have the criterion right now, but i would probably double dip

[Cap42086]

Originally posted by Riedenschneider
First Criterion DVD: Amacord (Spine#4) / The 400 Blows (Spine#5) both March 1998
First Anamorphic C-DVD: Insomnia (Spine#47) July 1999

All spines from 1 - 46 (*with an AR wider than 1.33) have no anamorphic transfers.
Starting with Life of Brian #61, all spines (*) have anamorphic transfers.
Spines 48 - 60 (*) are all non anamorphic except: The Unbearable Lightness of Being # 55, Peeping Tom # 58.

I hope I got it right...

You got it.

Originally posted by buckster666
The R2 & R4 DVD version of Armageddon are in Anamorphic, but the R1 has more extras.

Those who know me well know that special features really don't bother me. Give me a great transfer and a DTS track over the best special features in the world any day of the week and I'll be happy.

So write to your local congressman (or at least Buena Vista ) and demand an anamorphic release of this entertaining--albeit incredibly asinine--movie!

[manigrasso]

On top of Reidenschneider's almost-attention to detail, I also believe Buena Vista didn't provide the goods to Criterion to make an anamorphic disc.

As far as GETTING the movie in 16x9, does anyone know if the Criterion title is officially out of print, or not? This may be a situation where Criterion still has the distribution rights to the movie, and Buena Vista can't release yet another version of the movie until those rights run out. And if that IS the case, I'm sure Buena Vista would rather wait out the rights issue and release a 16x9 Armageddon, rather than try to let Criterion release it.

[BubbleGumUK]

The r2 PAL UK 2-disc version has all the Criterion extras and is Anamorphic 16x9 with original English language track.

[QuiGonJosh]

I own the Criterion and Im not paying anymore money for this one. I'll be happy with my good ol' non-anamorphic transfer, it does look really nice anyway. The movie's not worth another $20-$30.

BTW - ILM is the FX god.

Heres all the films ILM has done:

http://us.imdb.com/List?tv=on&&speci...(ILM)+[us]

[fixed the link]

[Cap42086]

Originally posted by manigrasso
On top of Reidenschneider's almost-attention to detail, I also believe Buena Vista didn't provide the goods to Criterion to make an anamorphic disc.

As far as GETTING the movie in 16x9, does anyone know if the Criterion title is officially out of print, or not? This may be a situation where Criterion still has the distribution rights to the movie, and Buena Vista can't release yet another version of the movie until those rights run out. And if that IS the case, I'm sure Buena Vista would rather wait out the rights issue and release a 16x9 Armageddon, rather than try to let Criterion release it.

Hopefully Buena Vista has a soul and will release an anamorphic version, which will probably end up being the case somewhere down the road. Vista Series, maybe? DTS, anamorphic...

Originally posted by QuiGonJosh
BTW - ILM is the FX god.

Before escalates too off-topic, I'll settle this now: both Digital Domain and ILM have their strong points and their not-so-strong points. Both are excellent effects houses and are both worthy of recognition. It's a matter of personal preference, so those some may like Digital Domain, and others may like ILM. I personally have no preference as I have been equally impressed with both, but let's just try to stay on-topic here. Thank you for making your opinions on the matter known.

[QuiGonJosh]

Without ILM there wouldnt be a DD.

[Cap42086]

Originally posted by QuiGonJosh
Without ILM there wouldnt be a DD.

Not gonna argue with you there. ILM kind of started the whole thing. But please try to remain on-topic. Thank you.

[Sid]

Its too bad LOTR are the only movies with good fx by Digital Domain, the rest (5th element) look like video games. Hell, PS2 ,looks better

[sub780lime]

Originally posted by Sid
Its too bad LOTR are the only movies with good fx by Digital Domain, the rest (5th element) look like video games. Hell, PS2 ,looks better

really, you dont like 5th element, i always felt they were representing exaclty what they wanted to, meaning they went for the look they presented, do you have any specific examples?

[Cap42086]

Maybe this thread should be renamed "Who does better visual effects: ILM or Digital Domain?"

[snipsnapsappy]

Digital Domain did not do most of the effects for Armageddon, it was Dreamquest Images, which was owned by Disney and they did all of Bruckheimers movies until Pearl harbor, which was done by ILM.

[sub780lime]

meant to do a new post, sorry