Sneakers :ce Not Worth Upgrading

[BADBRAD]

I happened to get SNEAKERS:CE over the weekend. If you have the original version KEEP IT! the supplements are nothing special. The making of is an old EPK with no new interviews including one with River Pheonix. I guess the audio commentary is fine if you are into that. I'm usually a defender of Universal. But this re-release is unneed compare to other Universal titles needing upgrading like Babe, The Sting, Death Becomes Her, The Deer Hunter, The Shadow and Parenthood.

On the other hand, the new version of MIDNIGHT RUN is worth having. Just if anything to have it Anamorphic.

[Sid]

I cant stand Universal. I hate giving them money. Its really sad that they will give us countless versions of such schlock like Fast and the Furious, American Pie 1&2 and The Mummy. But when there are films that actually need to be remastered or released in the first place, where are they???

[FurryHumanBeing]

What did you expect for $9.99?

MGM disks cost the same amount and their only extra is a trailer.

[MooglePorn]

I'll probably still pick it up for cheap... love the movie

[BADBRAD]

Originally posted by FurryHumanBeing
What did you expect for $9.99?

MGM disks cost the same amount and their only extra is a trailer.

my point is...why re-do a movie without any effort in the process? especially when there are many that need re-visiting.

[FurryHumanBeing]

Originally posted by BADBRAD
my point is...why re-do a movie without any effort in the process? especially when there are many that need re-visiting.

Probably because it takes no effort to re-do a movie w/o any effort? And it does for others, maybe.

[Kenshiro 26]

Originally posted by BADBRAD
I happened to get SNEAKERS:CE over the weekend. If you have the original version KEEP IT!

How about the a/v quality of the new Collector's Edition?

Is there a new transfer and soundmix?

The original release was anamorphic with 2.0 Surround, but the transfer was too dark and grainy for my taste.

[BADBRAD]

Originally posted by Kenshiro 26
How about the a/v quality of the new Collector's Edition?

Is there a new transfer and soundmix?

The original release was anamorphic with 2.0 Surround, but the transfer was too dark and grainy for my taste.

I'm not quite sure about the transfer because I have not watched the film all the way through. But the sound was not re-mixed.

[Monterey Jack]

As I love this movie, $9.99 is a steal. I greatly enjoyed Phil Alden Robinson's commentary on the Field Of Dreams disc, so I imagine I'll like this one, as well. Not every "special edition" can be as jam-packed with extras as Fellowship Of The Ring or Black Hawk Down, and quite frankly, I prefer it that way. It's nice to know that I can get through the suppliments on some discs in one sitting.

[Doctor_Mabuse]

I bought this newer version solely to get the commentary. Commentaries are important to me.

[Monterey Jack]

Watched it tonight. A very enjoyable and informative commentary by Phil Alden Robinson and co-screenwriters Lawrence Lasker & Walter F. Parkes (only Robinson is mentioned on the package and DVD menu), the nifty trailer, and a 40-minute doc(!) that's very promotional in nature, but still enjoyable (there's some recent interview material with Robinson, Parkes and Lasker, mixed with old EPK bites featuring the cast and some technical advisers). Add a solid transfer and decent sound (not as "explosive" as today's 5.1 mixes, but James Horner's score sounds terrific), and you've got the best ten-dollar purchase in recent memory.

"Hi-my-name-is-Werner Brandes!-my-voice-is-my-Passport?-verify-me."

[Robert George]

I finally got a hold of a copy of the new release and spent a few minutes comparing the two transfers.

The new disc is definitely a new, or at least different, transfer. While the first release was enhanced widescreen, it was also overly dark in many shots and color balance was off, as well as oversaturated. The new disc has a much more natural look with more accurate colors and noticeably improved shadow detail. I also find slightly more fine detail in the new disc, but this is a bit more subtle than the difference in the color and black level.

The older disc has the 125-minute movie and a trailer compressed onto a single layer disc. The new version has the same 125-minute movie and trailer, along with a 40-minute doc and an added commentary track spread across a dual layer disc.

Like the man said, at $10 (or even the retail of $15), this is a no-brainer for anyone that is a fan of the movie.

[inaka]

Originally posted by Robert George
While the first release was enhanced widescreen, it was also overly dark in many shots and color balance was off, as well as oversaturated.

Actually the first release was NOT enhanced.

In my opinion, the new disc is definitely worth upgrading. There's a review of the new CE here:

http://www.thedigitalreview.com/foru...s=&threadid=63

[Robert George]

Actually the first release was NOT enhanced.

Umm, actually it is. I have the disc, and it was in my player just last night. The opening logos are not enhanced, but the movie iteslf is. Not the first time a reviewer made a mistake.

No matter really. The germane point is the new disc is better, and cheaper.

[BADBRAD]

Sound like everyone is happy with it. I was offended that Universal called it a Collector's Edition and DID NOT make more of a effort. For the same price they recently released Coal Miner's Daughter with new materials with Loretta Lynn, Sissy Spacek, Michael Apted and Tommy Lee Jones. To me this was lame by comparison. What? They could not get some of the actors to join in? Delete scenes? Outtakes? I guess it is fine if you did not purchase the original and want the film. But Universal has MANY others that need re-issuing.

[Nexus 6]

I never had the other disc and was happy to buy this one for $10. If I'd had the other one, I don't know for sure if I would have upgraded, but for that price I might've

At any rate, I like commentaries, and I don't mind them just adding a couple of things since the price is so low.

[highdef]

My good friend still had his original copy for me to directly compare. I can tell you that the CE is far superior to the initial release. The anamorphic transfer has been struck from a new print and it really shines. The colors and black level blow away the original disc. As for the sound, sure a 5.1 mix would have been better, but this 2.0 edition gets the job done. The bass response appears to be slightly improved on CE as is the dimensionality of the surround mix. I recommend trading up to the CE just for the transfer alone. And yes the disc also includes a director's commentary, a making of documentary, and a trailer.

[inaka]

Umm, actually it is. I have the disc, and it was in my player just last night. The opening logos are not enhanced, but the movie iteslf is. Not the first time a reviewer made a mistake.

Sorry, my mistake. You're right. I could have sworn the previous release was not enhanced.

[mtcarmel00]

I have the original release and I'm not sure if I'm going to upgrade. Maybe when I come into some more money, I'd consider it. I know its cheap, but I can't get over the "But, I already have it" mentality.

[davcole]

Thanks to Hidef I went out and purchased this disc. As stated before this is definitely a new transfer! They very well may have used the same print because there appears to be some of the same color problems from the original (orange skin tones) and it wasn't the sharpest transfer and it was a little dark, however it is a improved transfer.

The last transfer I couldn't watch so I traded that disc away. This transfer is one I can watch. The sound may be a little better, it's been a long time since i've had the original but the pic is definitely better.

As far as an upgrade? Well if you're looking for SUPERBIT quality you won't find it here! If you're looking for an upgrade in quality along with a interesting commentary and nice doc then you definitely want to make the investment ($9.99 Best Buy) in this one!

[inaka]

I agree, especially for only $9.99, this one's a nice upgrade. This message thread title should be changed.

[BADBRAD]

Originally posted by inaka
I agree, especially for only $9.99, this one's a nice upgrade. This message thread title should be changed.

I guess i am THE ONLY ONE cheated by thinking this is a COLLECTOR'S EDITION. Sorry but this edition does NOT cut if for me. I want my money back and I am usually the one defending Universal.

[3DMan]

By the way, I just bought this today at Fry's for $7.

[Robert George]

I guess i am THE ONLY ONE cheated by thinking this is a COLLECTOR'S EDITION.

I think the more appropriate wording should be, "I guess I am the only one who thinks he is cheated by thinking this is a collector's edition".

In reality, you have not been cheated. The disc includes a documentary and a commentary track, and that is enough to qualify the label "collector's edition". It may not be the best collector's edition ever released, and certainly not the most comprehensive. However, it does have more supplemental material than the first release, and an improved transfer, and the retail price is only $15 bucks for crissake.

So, you are, of course, free to feel you have been cheated, but I think you may be a cult of one.

[inaka]

Just for a head's up, some FRYs in my area (California) have this DVD available for $4.99 this weekend. It's a no brainer at that price....nice disc.

[Buffalo Bill]

Just got my copy from DDD yesterday & it is a definite improved transfer & a nice 40 minute documentary, trailer & commentary (which I haven't listened to yet). I'm very happy to have dumped my original on ebay & picked up this (under $10) little gem.

[BubbleGumUK]

Just finally popped this one in the old player.

Missed the comments up abpve about the long doc - couldn't believe it when it went on for 40 minutes! Cool!

Sure it mixes old and new, but frankly I like a bit of archive footage rather than current talking heads. The new stuff adds perspective, so you get the best of both.

I'd say all this talk about whether this is a CE or not is mute: I collect DVDs. I liked Sneakers, so I got it. That it has a commentary, trailer and a 40 minute doc for the kind of film it is (ie: not too successful in theaters) is great, and I'd say that this was a CE over the barebones.

With a new transfer and a subtle but nice sound mix, this is the best $10 soent recently.

Points also to Universal for Thoroughly Modern Millie - while there is only a trailer as an extra, the transfer is absolutely first class, and this is the fully uncut theatrical Roadshow edition, complete with Overture, Intermission and Exit music - another steal!