Robocop: R1 trilogy vs. R1 20th Anniversary vs. R1 Criterion

[captainjoe]

ROBOCOP

Top: R1 Trilogy set (anamorphic)
Bottom: R1 20th Anniversary Steelbook (anamorphic)


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Image Comparisons

Top: R1 Trilogy set (anamorphic)
Middle: R1 20th Anniversary Steelbook (anamorphic)
Bottom: R1 Criterion (non-anamorphic)


















































Top: R1 Trilogy set (anamorphic)
Bottom: R1 20th Anniversary Steelbook (anamorphic)





The newly remastered 20th Anniversary Steelbook collector's edition is better than the
original release in a few areas. The blue colours and dark appearance have been dropped
in favour of a different, pale look. I'm not sure if this is correct. The original disc does
appear sharper. Almost every capture I have shows the contrast boosting from the old disc is
corrected. Dirt and grain is minimized as well but this appears to be achieved by DNR.
This is a must-have disc for the extras and generally better transfer.

If you live in Canada, you will want to order from the US because disc two of this release is a duplicate of disc one
with different art. So until I recieve my American disc, I won't have unrated caps.

In comparison to the Criterion, purists may want to stick with the Criterion for it's 1.66:1 ratio but it is
unforutnatley non-anamorphic and does have video noise and compression artefacts. Colours do differ
in a few scenes between the two. The factory scene is more blue in the Criterion. For quality, despite a few odd changes the new Anniversary edition
is the one but purists may want the Criterion.

Special Thanks to Markgway for providing the Criterion captures.

[EvaUnit02]

Thanks Joe, hopefully the Bluray will use this new transfer and not be the same shit 2006 disc that was recalled before it hit retailers.

If you live in Canada, you will want to order from the US because disc two of this release is a duplicate of disc one
with different art. So until I recieve my American disc, I won't have unrated caps.

It's lame how often they shaft the Canadian releases without telling anyone, eg leaving a DTS track off in favour of a French DD5.1 dub.

[captainjoe]

I'm so used to it now. I'm going on Amazon.com tonight and ordering the US disc. I wonder how long it will be until Fox issues a recall.

[captainjoe]

This DVD is a wonderful presentation of the movie. 5.1 DTS and Dolby, Plus 4.0 Dolby surround (original audio) plus all the old extras and some new ones, all wrapped in an impressive Steelbook case complete with a booklet. I can't ask for anything else, except maybe the second disc in my set.

[EvaUnit02]

I can't ask for anything else, except maybe the second disc in my set.

and a HD transfer.

[Markgway]

Plus 4.0 Dolby surround (original audio)

The Criterion only has 2.0. You mean this was originally 4.0? Good that they went to the bother to put this on as well as the 5.1 remix.

The framing on the Fox is better - less cropping - than the MGM - but you're right when you say the caps make it look soft and pasty. Also looks a bit colourless. Check out the nightclub red which looks washed out. Nice to see Fox fixed the contrast boosting which eliminated fine detail on the original. See the Mill exterior.

Do you want Criterion caps? If so can you give me rough times and I'll do them tomorrow.

[bradavon]

To me the original looks way better but I'll take your word for it the new one looks better.

[captainjoe]

Plus 4.0 Dolby surround (original audio)

The Criterion only has 2.0. You mean this was originally 4.0? Good that they went to the bother to put this on as well as the 5.1 remix.

The framing on the Fox is better - less cropping - than the MGM - but you're right when you say the caps make it look soft and pasty. Also looks a bit colourless. Check out the nightclub red which looks washed out. Nice to see Fox fixed the contrast boosting which eliminated fine detail on the original. See the Mill exterior.

Do you want Criterion caps? If so can you give me rough times and I'll do them tomorrow.

I'll get time signatures probably by tomorrow.

[HungFist]

and Dolby, Plus 4.0 Dolby surround (original audio)

Woohoo, I'm buying this

[EvaUnit02]

Plus 4.0 Dolby surround (original audio)

The Criterion only has 2.0. You mean this was originally 4.0? Good that they went to the bother to put this on as well as the 5.1 remix.

Criterion has a 2.0 SURROUND track. The DD4.0 is just a discrete version of the 2.0 surround. When the 2.0 track is matrixed with DPL, it'll sound the same as the 4.0. Dicrete is always better than matrixed. Good chance that the 4.0 will have a higher bitrate than the average 192kp/s or DD2.0 too.

[captainjoe]

I probably won't get timecodes for a while because I'm waiting for the Steelbook to arrive from the US.

[Markgway]

I probably won't get timecodes for a while because I'm waiting for the Steelbook to arrive from the US.

Ach, don't worry. I've seen the film a bunch of times, I'll find them.

[Markgway]

You can edit these into the main post when you get the chance.

I'll delete this post when you've done it.

[captainjoe]

Thanks for getting those captures for me, Markgway! Added in and edited.

[Markgway]

Honestly. I don't think there is "a winner" here.

Each set of caps reveal unique flaws.

The Fox looks soft, bland and pasty.
The MGM is contrast boosted and edge enhanced
The Criterion is noisy and non-anamorphic

I would probably hang on to whichever version you already own for the moment. Maybe the HD will be better?

Two plus points about the Criterion are the director-approved framing and the correct colours. Notice how in the convenience store the CT is the only one that gets the look of Robo's metal suit right.

[grim_tales]

Do you reckon I should hold onto the MGM I have?

[saltysam]

i'll stick with my mgm, will upgrade to blu-ray when released.

[Markgway]

Do you reckon I should hold onto the MGM I have?

Personally, yeah.

If it's the X-rated dir's cut.

Maybe by the time I go Hi-Def a definitive edition will be out. I don;t give a fork about the extras really as long as the image and audio are mint.

[captainjoe]

I'll get the Blu-ray when it's released. I sure as hell hope it uses the new transfer. With a 1080P resolution, the softness will no doubt be unnoticeable.

[Markgway]

What about the colours and pastiness?

[grim_tales]

Yeah, the MGM R2 has the DC via "intergrated branching" or something like that, which is good enough for me.

[cafink]

If you live in Canada, you will want to order from the US because disc two of this release is a duplicate of disc one
with different art. So until I recieve my American disc, I won't have unrated caps.

The two versions of the film on the new Steelbook release look identical. Here are some captures I've taken for comparison. They're the same screens that dvdbeaver.com used for their Robocop comparison page, so you can compare the images to some of the previous releases.

Theatrical on top, Unrated on bottom.

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_0.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_0.jpg

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_1.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_1.jpg

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_2.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_2.jpg

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_3.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_3.jpg

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_4.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_4.jpg

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_5.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_5.jpg

http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/theatrical_6.jpg
http://www.loyno.edu/~cafink/extended_6.jpg

[EvaUnit02]

Thanks cafink and welcome to the forum.

[Ray_Rogers]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Gary Tooze doesn't even know what a Steelbook is actually called! (Check out DVDBeaver.com)

Does the 20th Anniversary release come with a booklet? I already ordered this via DVDPacific a few days ago.

Great comparisons as per usual, CaptainJoe. And I'll also be buying the Korean Special Edition DVD too just for the hell of it (It's only $9.99 US there) since I don't mind owning multiple releases of certain films.

[gasteropod]

I love Steelbooks