It’s at all times a trigger for celebration when a beloved title lastly makes its 4K debut. It’s particularly notable when the movie in query undergoes a significant restoration, however generally these restorations may be controversial. Typically, as within the case of James Cameron’s movies, it may be as a result of the films have undergone a visible overhaul that considerably adjustments their look, which is more and more turning into a difficulty with AI. But, generally it may be as a result of new know-how and scans of the film’s negatives have introduced out particulars that wouldn’t have been doable in earlier residence video releases.
The latter appears to be the case with Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Huge Shut. Criterion has simply undergone a radical restoration of the film with DP Larry Smith, however the ensuing switch is strikingly completely different than the DVD/Blu-ray transfers authorised by the Kubrick property. Listed below are some samples pulled off X:
So, what’s occurring right here? Over on DVDBeaver, which to me is the gold normal of evaluate websites from a technical standpoint, they clarify that Kubrick’s use drive developed movie inventory was by no means capable of be faithfully reproduced on earlier editions of the film, whereas the HDR grading helps the film look extra colour-saturated, which was Kubrick’s intention. But, in addition they acknowledge that the switch does lean a bit in the direction of a teal colouring, which is one thing that has been picked up in lots of different Criterion transfers and appears to be a trademark for them (their current switch of Sorcerer has additionally been controversial). The visible outcomes are undeniably lovely, however whenever you’re coping with a director like Kubrick, who was so exacting along with his movies and the way they seemed, you’re at all times sure to get some pushback from followers.
Finally, Eyes Huge Shut’s new look will probably be beloved by some and hated by others. I personally suppose they new switch appears to be like much more like how the film seemed in theaters on 35MM (I’m sufficiently old to have seen it in theaters – it got here out the 12 months I turned eighteen), however its additionally such a well-liked catalogue title that people have gotten used to seeing the older grading on the DVD/Blu-ray and is likely to be uncomfortable with the brand new look. What’s the answer? Basically, to protect your outdated Blu-rays. For those who don’t like the newest 4K look, the outdated WB Blu-ray nonetheless appears to be like fairly nice, and it gained’t be going wherever.
What do you consider this new switch? Tell us within the feedback.
