Underworld

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #20 on:** 14 Jan 2004, 12:40 pm »

Huh. Could be. I never knew why they cancelled it- I just figured it didn't draw the ratings they wanted. It certainly wouldn't have been the same without Julian Luna, although if they'd have gotten a semi-high-profile guy they coulda still carried on.

Still one of my favorite shows of the time.

Ears · « **Reply #21 on:** 14 Jan 2004, 02:20 pm »

After reading mostly bad reviews over at AVS forum on this flick I was not expecting much so the movie was a pleasant suprise for me.

I was using my back up dvd player the JVC sa 600 which makes most movies look soft as my 963 sa is going under the knife.
I thought the transfer was really good using this cheapo player whith my x1, and that the sound was decent.

Tommorow, I will begin trying another Denon 5900 which will show all of the transfer... warts and all.

I also thought the pistols whith seemingly endless rounds were both hilarious and very cool.
I actually bought this movie after renting it because a superbit version will be a while...if ever.

bubba966 · « **Reply #22 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 05:28 am »

Well, there's finally a Japanese release scheduled!

So hopefully in 2 1/2 months I'll have a better copy...

zybar · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Mar 2004, 11:27 pm »

Just saw it and I thought it looked pretty good, but the audio mix could have been better.

George

bubba966 · « **Reply #24 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 04:51 am »

Anybody know anything about this?

Just came across it as being a 5/25/04 release...

bob82274 · « **Reply #25 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 07:25 pm »

Nope thats the first I'v seen of it... but that was a fast double dip. I might pick it up if it has a better transfer or DTS on it. The addition of both those things would make for a very nice disk indeed.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #26 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 08:14 pm »

I'll bite for sure. I just watched this again a couple nites ago, and while the picture could've been better, I just love the movie.

Smeggy · « **Reply #27 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 08:50 pm »

Yep, I just turned off my brain, sat back and enjoyed this for what it is... a fun romp. I'll buy that 2-disk set when I see it

bubba966 · « **Reply #28 on:** 21 Apr 2004, 05:26 am »

So I looked it up some more as no one else seems to know about this thing. And this is what I found...

Quote

• New to this edition:
• 12 minutes of additional footage
• 11 minutes of replacement footage
• Commentary by director Len Wiseman and actors Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman
• 45-minute documentary examining the history of vampires and werewolves
• Cinematography featurette
• Special effects featurette
• Production design featurette
• Outtake reel
• Collectible production sketch notebook
• Mini comic book
• Widescreen anamorphic format

Looks to still be DD only...

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #29 on:** 21 Apr 2004, 08:18 am »

Still, the extra footage and stuff looks to make it a *must have*, for sure!

bubba966 · « **Reply #30 on:** 21 May 2004, 05:26 am »

Ok, so far I've only had a chance to watch half of the new "Unrated Extended Cut" release.

The picture is less compressed

Still could use a SB release as I'm still not really happy with it. But at least it's barely acceptable now, where I had a hard time watching the standard release. Can't wait until my Japanese copy shows up in about 2 weeks. That one might be what I'm looking for...

The audio seems a good bit better as well

And I'm really liking the extra footage so far. It seems to so far be mostly a few seconds here & there. But it's adding a lot to the story and it's all good so far (at least IMO...).

Rob, George, you guys are going to want to pick this up next week. Unless the last half is a total pooch screw (quite doubtfull) I'm positive you'll both appreciate the new version.

bubba966 · « **Reply #31 on:** 22 May 2004, 04:52 am »

Ok, finished watching it.

Better in all aspects IMO.

As I mentioned above not only are the audio & video aspects of the new release much better than the original release, but I think the added/replaced footage had no real downside to the film.

I'm sure somebody might say that the new stuff slows it all down a bit. But I don't think it's a bad thing that there's more story in the movie now than there was before.

I'd not watched the regular cut of Underworld in a few months. So I can't say exacty what all of the new material entailed. But I can say that I doubt any new material lasted longer than 30 seconds per shot/scene. Which I find interesting that so many small cuts can be made to a film. I was expecting a scene or two that lasted a few minutes apiece for the new footage, and the replaced footage was going to explain the new scenes.

I'm a bit too tired to think properly at the moment. So I'll just say that those of you that enjoyed Underworld as it was will enjoy the new release. It's better all around. And while I still really, really wish that they'd have upped the bitrate even more than they did, the video is still loads better than it was before.

Smeggy · « **Reply #32 on:** 22 May 2004, 06:24 am »

Cool, I'm going to order it

bubba966 · « **Reply #33 on:** 26 May 2004, 08:59 pm »

Ok, the unrated cut has been available since yesterday. Anyone else watch it yet?

I'm most curious to know what you all think of the PQ on the new release...

zybar · « **Reply #34 on:** 26 May 2004, 09:17 pm »

I am going to try and watch it tonight.

Will let you know what I think.

George

mca · « **Reply #35 on:** 26 May 2004, 09:42 pm »

If the audio is truly better than the original release, then it would be worth it. I thought the audio on the first one was really crappy. If I end up buying it, they will probably come out with something else that looks and sounds even better

bubba966 · « **Reply #36 on:** 26 May 2004, 10:38 pm »

Quote from: mca

If the audio is truly better than the original release, then it would be worth it. I thought the audio on the first one was really crappy.

I'd say the audio is better this time 'round. I never did an a/b over the weekend (but I did watch the new cut twice...

) with the new & old release. The new release seemed to sound pretty good (though not exeptional), and the old release didn't sound so hot.

I was honestly more bothered by the PQ on the first release even though the audio sucked as well.

Quote from: mca

If I end up buying it, they will probably come out with something else that looks and sounds even better

Can you say Superbit?...

mca · « **Reply #37 on:** 27 May 2004, 01:29 am »

Seems to me there have not been many Superbit releases lately. I checked out the Sony website, but they don't list upcoming titles. I just subscribed to their newsletter, maybe I'll get some advance info there

zybar · « **Reply #38 on:** 29 May 2004, 10:31 pm »

Ok, finally watched it.

I agree with Bubba that PQ is a little bit better and audio seemed improved as well.

This is one of those cases where I think they did a good job with the original and the added material didn't really add anything (unlike the extended versions of LOTR) of value.

I haven't yet watched the extras, but I am hoping they are cool. If not, I don't think I would recommned this version if you already have the original.

George

bubba966 · « **Reply #39 on:** 5 Jun 2004, 03:53 pm »

George,

Did you not feel the improved A/V quality was worth the upgrade alone?

Sure, the extra footage was small tidbits here and there that didn't really change anything in the storyline. But it did flesh out the story & characters a bit more.

Both cuts are good. I do happen to like the extended cut a bit better. Add in the better PQ and there's no way I'm going to watch the US release of the theatrical cut any time soon.