My take: Close Encounters of the Third Kind [UK Import]

HD Goofnut · 07-30-2009, 06:50 PM

Title: Close Encounters of the Third Kind [UK]
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc/BD-25 Single Layer Disc - Two Disc Set
Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD/5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Aspect Ratio: 2:35:1
Subtitles: Many languages
Run time: 137 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rating: PG
Player used for review: LG BH200

My take: (the breakdown)

Close Encounters is one of those movies that really changed cinema for the better. Before Close Encounters and followed closely by Star Wars most science fiction movies were drab, low budget, or just downright awful. When Close Encounters debuted in 1977 the sci-fi genre was instantly revamped and changed forever. The movie has two story lines: one of Roy Neary, and electrician who mysteriously has a close encounter with a UFO; and a team of scientists headed by a Frenchman who are finding artifacts that were presumed lost in history. When these two story lines come together by the climax of the movie it makes for an interesting encounter of the third kind. This is worth an instant purchase whether you have seen it or not.

For a 30 year old film upon the release of this Blu-ray I was absolutely blown away by the clarity of the picture. Fine detail and color saturation are the first things you notice about this movie and they are both so well. Flesh tones also seem to be accurate. There are some problems with this transfer though. Grain is extremely heavy during most of the run time, but even though it never becomes noisy it can still be a distraction. Also, there are some speckles of dirt on the print in form of the occasional black and white speck. Again, for a 30 year old movie I was extremely impressed.

We are given two audio tracks in the form of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Both tracks are both presented 48khz and 24 bit and I honestly could not hear a difference in the two. Dialogue is clear and pronounced throughout the entire run time and there are some scenes that will cause your sub to literally shake the walls. There a few minor problems though. There are times when the musical score is entirely too overbearing and I was forced to decrease the volume. Also, other than some miscellaneous discrete effects and some music there's not a whole lot taking place in the surrounds. This is not reference material, but it is quite good considering the age of the movie.

We are given a lot of features in this supplemental package, but I am not about to list them all. Some are presented in 480 while others are presented in 1080.

Note: Other than packaging I couldn't really find a difference in this U.K. version compared to the U.S. version.

Movie: 8.5/10
VQ: 8/10
AQ: 8/10
Supplements: 8/10
Final word: A Must Own

As always thanks for reading folks.

gossamer · 07-30-2009, 08:10 PM

This movie is one of my all-time favorites. I saw it in the theaters about 4 times. I was in HS then (dating myself here). Blew me away. A 10 IMHO.

I've owned all formats (VHS, LD, DVD, DVD SE). And I just got the BD during DeepDiscount's 25% off sale. Haven't seen it yet, but certainly looking forward it.

Your cover art looks like Sony's 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition BD. Is that just for show? 'Cause that's the one I purchased.

HD Goofnut · 07-31-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gossamer

This movie is one of my all-time favorites. I saw it in the theaters about 4 times. I was in HS then (dating myself here). Blew me away. A 10 IMHO.

I've owned all formats (VHS, LD, DVD, DVD SE). And I just got the BD during DeepDiscount's 25% off sale. Haven't seen it yet, but certainly looking forward it.

Your cover art looks like Sony's 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition BD. Is that just for show? 'Cause that's the one I purchased.

Yeah, it definitely is a must own classic piece of work and Spielberg's first break out movie, coupled with American Graffiti, in my opinion. I just pulled the image off of HDD and I think the U.K. version I bought is the same.

sigill · 08-06-2009, 04:20 PM

Nice review Goofnut. I totally agree about the PQ. It does look really good in parts but i did find the heavy grain distracting. Its still a lot better than the DVD though.

HD Goofnut · 08-06-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigill

Nice review Goofnut. I totally agree about the PQ. It does look really good in parts but i did find the heavy grain distracting. Its still a lot better than the DVD though.

Thanks sigill. I agree that it definitely blows any previously released DVD version out of the water.

07-30-2009, 06:50 PM	#1
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 28 Posts: 7,533	My take: Close Encounters of the Third Kind [UK Import] Title: Close Encounters of the Third Kind [UK] BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc/BD-25 Single Layer Disc - Two Disc Set Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD/5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Aspect Ratio: 2:35:1 Subtitles: Many languages Run time: 137 minutes Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rating: PG Player used for review: LG BH200 My take: (the breakdown) Close Encounters is one of those movies that really changed cinema for the better. Before Close Encounters and followed closely by Star Wars most science fiction movies were drab, low budget, or just downright awful. When Close Encounters debuted in 1977 the sci-fi genre was instantly revamped and changed forever. The movie has two story lines: one of Roy Neary, and electrician who mysteriously has a close encounter with a UFO; and a team of scientists headed by a Frenchman who are finding artifacts that were presumed lost in history. When these two story lines come together by the climax of the movie it makes for an interesting encounter of the third kind. This is worth an instant purchase whether you have seen it or not. For a 30 year old film upon the release of this Blu-ray I was absolutely blown away by the clarity of the picture. Fine detail and color saturation are the first things you notice about this movie and they are both so well. Flesh tones also seem to be accurate. There are some problems with this transfer though. Grain is extremely heavy during most of the run time, but even though it never becomes noisy it can still be a distraction. Also, there are some speckles of dirt on the print in form of the occasional black and white speck. Again, for a 30 year old movie I was extremely impressed. We are given two audio tracks in the form of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Both tracks are both presented 48khz and 24 bit and I honestly could not hear a difference in the two. Dialogue is clear and pronounced throughout the entire run time and there are some scenes that will cause your sub to literally shake the walls. There a few minor problems though. There are times when the musical score is entirely too overbearing and I was forced to decrease the volume. Also, other than some miscellaneous discrete effects and some music there's not a whole lot taking place in the surrounds. This is not reference material, but it is quite good considering the age of the movie. We are given a lot of features in this supplemental package, but I am not about to list them all. Some are presented in 480 while others are presented in 1080. Note: Other than packaging I couldn't really find a difference in this U.K. version compared to the U.S. version. Movie: 8.5/10 VQ: 8/10 AQ: 8/10 Supplements: 8/10 Final word: A Must Own As always thanks for reading folks. __________________ Living Room Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120Hz 1080p LCD (24fps)-Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Receiver-Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1-DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR-LG BH200 Super Blu-Toshiba HD-A20 Bedroom Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p 60Hz LCD-DirecTV H23-100 HD-Maganvox NB500MG9-Toshiba HD-A2 Office HP 2159m 21.5" 1080p LCD-Logitech X-540 5.1-Sony 40 GB PS3-ASUS SBC-06D1S-U External BD Drive My Movie Collection 371~140 Latest BD Review: *The Fourth Kind* Last edited by HD Goofnut; 07-31-2009 at 04:39 PM.

07-30-2009, 08:10 PM	#2
gossamer 50 is the new 42 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Da Boogie-down Bronx Posts: 562	This movie is one of my all-time favorites. I saw it in the theaters about 4 times. I was in HS then (dating myself here). Blew me away. A 10 IMHO. I've owned all formats (VHS, LD, DVD, DVD SE). And I just got the BD during DeepDiscount's 25% off sale. Haven't seen it yet, but certainly looking forward it. Your cover art looks like Sony's 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition BD. Is that just for show? 'Cause that's the one I purchased. __________________ Living Room: Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Plasma Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Sony PlayStation 3 80GB Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Toshiba SD-4700 SD DVD Apple Mac mini, 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo Onkyo TX-SR706 Receiver Paradigm Cinema 110 Speaker System Pioneer CLD-3070 LaserDisc Player Quasar VHQ760 VCR Bedroom: Panasonic TC26LX50 26-inch LCD Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray Panasonic DMRES15 DVD Recorder JVC HR-S8000U S-VHS

08-06-2009, 04:20 PM	#4
sigill High Def fan Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: United kingdom-Manchester Age: 30 Posts: 2,610	Nice review Goofnut. I totally agree about the PQ. It does look really good in parts but i did find the heavy grain distracting. Its still a lot better than the DVD though. __________________ Phillips 37" LCD 720p/1080i Sony BDP-S350 Sony BDP-S300 Toshiba XDE-500 DVD player Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 AVR KEF1005.2 speakers Latest HD movies bought - Burn After Reading - Jackie Brown - Full Metal Jacket 144 Blu-rays

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