Maniac Cop Optimum Reg.2 Vs Synapse Reg.1

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 23 Nov 2006, 20:56

Optimum

Synapse

Optimum

Synapse

Optimum

Synapse

Optimum

Synapse

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 24 Nov 2006, 14:50

Absolutely no contest, that is unless the open-matte 4:3 was the intended ratio. I doubt it though, as it's highly likely that Bill Lustig supervised the transfer.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 24 Nov 2006, 15:44

the open-matte seems far too dark

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 24 Nov 2006, 17:11

Yeah, Synapse easily emerges victor.

The film was released theatrically so I would presume it was shown at 1.85.

The 4:3 open-matte reveals extraneous space.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 24 Nov 2006, 19:38

Croptastic, but better looking. Shame they dont offer both versions on the dvd.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Nov 2006, 01:09

You do realise Romero that open-matte films are supposed to be cropped?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 25 Nov 2006, 14:40

Depends on the film and the director. Some are not suposed to be, some are, some are just done wrongly, we dont know for sure most the time and some do look better uncropped. But wont get into that, its a personal thing each to their own

Reminds me of Super 35 and the hell that can produce with 5 different cropped versions.

For instance that 2nd cap the widescreen cap looks way to tight to the cops chin, open it a little more and that problem would have much better delt with and we would see what he was acctually doing on the desk. Not as much on the top mind you, but hey.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Nov 2006, 15:28

You've got a point about cap 2, it does look tight, But caps 1/3 are ideal.

Super35 is a giant pain in the arse.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 25 Nov 2006, 15:32

Yup Super 35 irratates me more than any other format.

Fingers crossed Maniac Cop 2 gets the treatment too, as hell its a good film. Not even sure I have seen Maniac Cop 3.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 25 Nov 2006, 15:48

Part 3 isn't bad for a schlocky DTV sequel.

Plus points: Robert Davi - the best actor to appear in the trilogy - and a terrific final stunt sequence in which an engulfed Maniac Cop (a stuntman on fire for what seems like 10 mins!) chases an ambulence at high speed in a stolen cop car. Mental.

captainjoe · Post by **captainjoe** » 23 Feb 2007, 22:42

I'm liking this new transfer.