drop

Sorry it isn't as epic as you wanted. But it's a great start. Thoughts: The size of the VF-25 has already been mentioned, but it's made worse by the "placement" of the light. No worries, by "worse" i just mean confusing. The image clearly shows these bright lights placed precisely in a row that terminates nearly at the horizon, and whether the viewer is conscious of it or not, the mental assumption is that this row of lights extends on over our heads, and continues behind us. And we KNOW this assumption is true because Sheryl is fully lit by one of these lights directly overhead. (outside of the shot) The size problem gets more apparent because: Should the VF-25 be taller than the overhead unseen light or shorter? If it's shorter, it should be getting a massive amount of light on top. If it's taller, it should be getting a massive amount of light on the bottom. (Of course, if it was taller than the light, it'd be out of frame!) i say "massive amount" because no matter if the VF-25 is above or below that light, it's gonna be much closer to it than Sheryl is, therefore it'd be much more brightly lit. In this image the VF-25 is not brightly lit on top or bottom, so your brain kinda goes... "Meh, this doesn't make any sense." and you're left feeling unsatisfied. A cheat might've been having the light coming from the VF-25. (Like flipping it so it faces to the left standing directly over Sheryl) But that's just me throwing things out there. In general, ignoring everything else i've been rambling about... just know that there's way more light in this photo than you think there is. We can see Sheryl just fine. There's a reason for that! Aside from some reflections, the VF-25 is barely lit at all, which is why it doesn't seem to fit in the scene. Dark mech in brightly lit scene... wut? At the very least, the diffuse light bouncing off of Sheryl would be illuminating the underside of the VF-25's nose. Especially with that hair. That crazy pink hair. This is not terrible at all. But i agree it doesn't feel epic. Just trying to help get it there.

Something i'm terribly curious about, and have yet to see discussed here is the SOUND. (If i've missed it, then my apologies… and please feel free to smite me and point me in the right direction!) For those who have their discs, how is the sound? Have they added new effects to fill the other audio channels? Or have they endeavored to preserve the original 80s sounds? Also… on some of the DVD versions, all the dialogue has a noticeable reverb (sort of like an echo) on it. Almost as if the recording was made in a theatre. (*Note: Not talking about the weird effect when the Zentradi are speaking) For a long time i had thought that was just how the dialogue was recorded… but the dialogue on the DYRL Movie Drama Edition LP is pristine. So i'm also curious if the dialogue is clean or if you hear a hint of reverb whenever somebody speaks. i dunno. What else? What do these discs sound like? Thoughts?

On why with the HD?... The only time i notice the lesser quality on my DVD copy is during the Itano circuses. Especially the final battle. With all the missile contrails and beam weapons flashing, it's too much detail and high contrast, the image sort of chokes up and everything gets all pixel-ish. Granted, that COULD just be my bootlegged DVD copy. To those bemoaning their awful TVs and systems that would keep them from seeing any benefit of upgrading: Consider the possibility that someday you might upgrade. This Japanese Blu-ray release is expensive, sure... that's reason alone to not snatch one up. No need to blame your TV. At any rate, i was looking forward to having an official, and high quality copy of what may well be my favorite movie of all time. My hope is that SCOOPUDA! is flat out wrong. But we'll see. i'll wait in the shadows, read reviews of the actual release and see how things turn out. i'm worried about the soundtrack. Voices, music, sound effects. i don't want it beefed up. CLEANED UP, sure... carefully split into 5.1 maybe, but i LOVED those old 80's sounds. i mean, that's part of the whole package for me. Why do we have to change things? At the very least it could stand as a snapshot of Japanese cinema in 1984. Grrr... why mess with history?

I've heard this argument as well. But that line of thought kind of fizzles if you think about it for a second. Citizen Kane, It's a Wonderful Life and other such classics aren't required to have 5.1. You've no doubt seen them in stores. Who's out there beefing up the sub channels on films from the 1940s? Or what about silent films? Sorry. i call shenanigans. Shenanigans!

I find it fascinating that these Blu-rays are in mono. To me that means they're all about preserving the original sound. - and to hell with all of those empty audio channels. I wish english releases operated under the same mindset. Instead, after the dub they add sounds to fill up the other audio channels until it's unrecognizable. As if butchering the 80s sound effects is OK as long as you can sell it as 5.1 (or whatever). It's akin to colorizing black and white films. This news is exciting, and gives me hope. Alas in the meantime, I plan to sit on my hands and wait nervously for a DYRL Blu-Ray announcement instead. Once I hear that call, Lord help anyone who gets between me and that disc.