It's Chiba being badass so instantly gains a star. this is interesting as it's the first that i know of double feature blu-ray disc. tbh you would never get this was a hd transfer more like a solid dvd. encoded in mpeg-2 it still looks ok and at under a tenner for two features a bargain.audio is original japanese and an english dub option.the other movie on the disc is Shogun's Ninja.
I Am Legend blu-ray 3/5
Probably more a 2.5 movie but i'll give it half an extra half a star for Will Smith who is always worth watching.a downbeat and sombre retelling of the Richartd Matheson novel this has some great shots of a deserted NYC as Smith and his dog Max battle to avoid the mutant creatures roaminng the city at night whilst he tries to find a cure for the virus (he's a doctor) the blu-ray offers the options of watching the theatrical cut and the "alternate theatrical version" which is the version i watched. i'm guessing the only difference is the ending which is very different to the theatrical. having watched both either ending works ok. great lokking BD transfer as well.
bradavon wrote:Can you watch the endings separately? Any idea which is the DC?
i haven't a clue which is the DC.options are "theatrical Version" and "alternate theatrical version" which would indicate this version was released to theatres somewhere.but then it says "never before seen alternate ending" which contradicts that. you can't watch the different endings separate,at least i can't find the option.had to start the theatrical version then go to scene select to view it. the alternate cut runs 3 minutes longer than the theatrical.
That was really good, a lot better than I expected. DiCaprio was really great, as was Hounsou. Got the Blu-ray new & sealed off eBay for a tenner, so well chuffed there. The transfer was decent.
This is the only one which takes itself 100% seriously but unfortunately thinks a bad plot and poor acting (except for Stallone) is somehow enough.
The beginning and end are very good but the rest is only okay at best. Considering how poor the middle is it really could've done with some action, even if I know that would've gone against the point of the film. This does also stand out rather oddly against the other action orientated films.
I am also ranking this as a drama film so it has more to live up to than a dumb action film. The plot is easily much better than Rambo: First Blood Part 2, but it's not enough.
I won't be buying this. It's pretty overrated really.
Rambo: First Blood Part 2
6.5 out of 10
I saw this last week from an ITV1 transmission.
This is the only one I'd consider a Guilty Pleasure as it really has a dire plot (so poor) and is really just an excuse to get Rambo back in Vietnam. The action is very cool though and also very inventive too. I want that missile bow and arrow!
Fantastic music too.
I will be buying this, probably the HD-DVD. I'm not bothered it's bare-bones.
Rambo 3
6.5 out of 10
I saw the first half Monday night and the second half last night (after Rambo 4), also from an ITV1 transmission.
I was surprised by this. It has a much better plot to Part 2 and takes it's time getting to Afghanistan. It took a bit of getting used to not seeing Rambo in South East Asia (where all the other films are either set or have connections to) but on the other hand it made for an interesting diversion away from all the green of South East Asia.
The action isn't as good as Rambo 2 though, but it's still decent. I'm giving this the same the same rating as Rambo 2 as while it has a much better plot the action isn't as good and therefore isn't as much fun.
I will probably be buying this, probably the HD-DVD. I'm not bothered it's bare-bones.
Rambo 4
8 out of 10
I saw this last night at the cinema. I had to drive somewhere else to see it (it only took 20 minutes though). I discovered Vue cinemas have much, much better audio to Odeon cinemas. The Surround Sound and BASS were awesome. I wouldn't drive there again though unless I had to.
None of this stupid title nonsense, it's Rambo 4. I was really surprised how bloody fantastic this is. It's easily the best action film I've seen in years and was so utterly refreshing to see a real action film again with ATTITUDE!
I'm not sure if it's sick (this is entertainment after all) or adds depth by showing us real life stock footage at the start but it was okay. It's a film of two halves, the first a more serious drama and the second and outright action film.
The cinematography was very good in places and Stallone also did a great job of directing it. Stallone clearly felt so comfortable playing the role.
My god it's violent though. I had no problems with this and in fact it helped greatly. Even if I do think Stallone literally killing a man by sticking his fist through his neck was gratuitous.
The homages to prior Rambo films were great. I loved the bow and arrow, I loved how Stallone looked almost identical to how we first saw him in Rambo 1 (except for his blue than blue jeans), during the touching scene at the end. I also loved the flashback to prior Rambo films. That worked really well.
It definitely should've been rated NC-17 in America. It's way too violent for an R. I'm really not sure why Rambo fans would dislike this. It's everything you'd want from a Rambo film, and maybe some more.
Fantastic music too. I'll DEFINITELY be buying the Sony Blu-ray. Bring on the Lossless Audio!
Last edited by bradavon on 08 Mar 2008, 07:59, edited 6 times in total.
bradavon wrote:
I'll DEFINITELY be buying the Sony Blu-ray.
you'll have a long wait.it's a lionsgate title i think you are he first person i've ever known of to consider the classic First Blood the least of the series.but hey opinions are opinions...even when they are wrong
Nope it's Sony. I remember seeing Sony at the start. It may have said Lionsgate too but regardless it means a BD is coming!
He he I think I am so too
It has a much, much better plot to Rambo: First Blood Part 2, but that's somehow not enough. Note I only rated Rambo: First Blood Part 1 half a point less (6.5 vs. 6) but it's enough for me not to bother buying it.
That's America. I was talking about the UK. I still (probably) win
romerojpg wrote:Rambo part 1 the worst hahahaahahahhahahahaaaaaqaaaahhaha
Like I said from a "technical" stand point no, but overall, an easy yes
It's the only one without any re-watch value IMO. Which I guess says it all. If I did watch it again I'd watch the start (until Stallone breaks out of Jail) then the end. As those scenes are very good but otherwise meh I can take it or leave it.
this is interesting as it's the first that i know of double feature blu-ray disc. tbh you would never get this was a hd transfer more like a solid dvd. encoded in mpeg-2 it still looks ok and at under a tenner for two features a bargain.audio is original japanese and an english dub option.the other movie on the disc is Shogun's Ninja.
i think you are he first person i've ever known of to consider the classic First Blood the least of the series.but hey opinions are opinions...even when they are wrong 
