AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on November 30, 2020, 08:23:19 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/iSuJrt0.jpg)
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Rating: PG-13
Film: 5/5
Plot
The Fellowship of the Ring
A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.
The Two Towers
While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
The Return of the King
Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
My Thoughts
In case you've been in a coma for the past 20 years, Peter Jackson adapted the popular J.R.R. Tolkien novel with amazing results. Arguably, it's one of the greatest movie accomplishments of all time with 15 Academy Awards, over $1 billion in US box-office receipts, and nearly $3 billion worldwide.
The films have been released countless times on Blu-ray over the years—first with their theatrical versions and then ultimately the extended editions in order to extract as much cash as possible from the fans and of course, here we are with the films finally arriving in 4K. This release is a “bare bones” release with no supplements other than a 4K digital copy of the films, but at least the set includes both the theatrical and extended editions of each film all in one case. In addition, The Hobbit trilogy is being released at the same time.
In 2021, Warner will follow it up with a 4K UHD “Middle-earth” Ultimate Collectors’ Edition featuring the theatrical and extended versions of all six films, along with new bonus content, previously released Blu-ray discs of The Hobbit Trilogy, and remastered Blu-ray discs of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy will be released in the summer of 2021. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy featuring remastered Blu-ray discs of the theatrical and extended versions of the 3 films will also be released in the fourth quarter 2021, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
For this 4K release, Peter Jackson was involved with the 4K remastering process and this is a case where his attention to detail has been a blessing. These films have never looked or sounded better—not even in the theater in 2001-2003. All of the discs feature Dolby Vision HDR (as well as HDR 10) encodes along with Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Furthermore, the weird color timing issue with The Fellowship of the Ring has finally been fixed and watching these three films over the weekend was like watching them again for the first time. We were mesmerized by the experience and I have to say, watching them on a scope screen has been one of the greatest home theater experiences of my life. To say these films are demo-worthy is an understatement. The Balrog scene in Fellowship is a jaw-dropping experience with HDR visuals, Middle-Earth-shattering LFE, and overhead effects that will having you ducking for cover.
Video 10/10
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features:
- 4K UHD copes of Theatrical and Extended Editions of each film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18q3hdjsDYk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18q3hdjsDYk)
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of these films, this is the definitive way to watch them and the comparison to the previous Blu-rays is easy to see and hear. Sure, there are no bonus features to be had, but if you have your old Blu-ray copies just use them for the supplements and enjoy these films in 4K UHD and marvel at the amazing story the unfolds with absolute beauty right before your eyes. Definitely pick this up!
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays (https://portrait.com/))
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
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Lucky you to get a free review copy ! I'm waiting for mine !
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Lucky you to get a free review copy ! I'm waiting for mine !
Yes...but I had to watch nearly 14 hours (12 for the EE versions and then test all of the Theatrical versions). I think that comes out to about $6 per hour :)
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Mine will be here tomorrow:)
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Mine will be here tomorrow:)
Mine will be here shortly as well. :)
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Greetings,
Great review Dave. Yeah, these are truly wonderful. 8)
Regards,
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You guys got to me. Leaving home now for Best Buy curbside pickup.
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You guys got to me. Leaving home now for Best Buy curbside pickup.
Let us know what you think. I'd go to Disc 2 of the EE of Fellowship and watch the Balrog scene...you won't be disappointed.
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Let us know what you think. I'd go to Disc 2 of the EE of Fellowship and watch the Balrog scene...you won't be disappointed.
This scene with BEQ is insane
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biggest upgrade in PQ so far is in TT where the balrog is falling out of the cave above. it used to be a orange ball of flame, now the contrast shows the balrog inside that flame, you can distinctly see his wings etc
also the textures are out of this world. you can almost feel what the cloaks feel like etc
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This scene with BEQ is insane
Can you point me in the right direction on BEQ? What equipment (if any) is needed and the process?
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biggest upgrade in PQ so far is in TT where the balrog is falling out of the cave above. it used to be a orange ball of flame, now the contrast shows the balrog inside that flame, you can distinctly see his wings etc
also the textures are out of this world. you can almost feel what the cloaks feel like etc
Agreed...that is a very good scene indeed!
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Can you point me in the right direction on BEQ? What equipment (if any) is needed and the process?
its actually very simple and very rewarding!
you only need a minidsp 2x4HD and capable subs. Its enhanced if you have transducers or buttkickers
Here (https://www.avsforum.com/threads/bass-eq-for-filtered-movies.2995212/) is the great thread on the whole thing which is SUPER informative. if you have any questions feel free to ask. Id be more than happy to help. Its the CHEAPEST and one of the best upgrades I did for my theater hands down HUGE bang for the buck (no pun intended)
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BTW this is already on sale on amazon for 79.99
Lord of the Rings 4k Trilogy (https://www.amazon.com/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-The-Motion-Picture-Trilogy-4K-Blu-ray/dp/B08KQBYM1Y?tag=bluray-034-20&linkCode=xm2&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
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BTW this is already on sale on amazon for 79.99
Lord of the Rings 4k Trilogy (https://www.amazon.com/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-The-Motion-Picture-Trilogy-4K-Blu-ray/dp/B08KQBYM1Y?tag=bluray-034-20&linkCode=xm2&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Sadly it looks like it's just The Hobbit Trilogy on sale.
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Sadly it looks like it's just The Hobbit Trilogy on sale.
Probably because Lord of the Rings trilogy sold out at Amazon. Back to original price with delivery pushed to December 21 or later.
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Sadly it looks like it's just The Hobbit Trilogy on sale.
It was on sale this morning. I bought a copy for my dad
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My order arrived last night !
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My order arrived last night !
Did you pull and all nighter and watch them all? :)
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Did you pull and all nighter and watch them all? :)
I love the EE are split on 2 discs. Perfect place to go to bed and continue the next night. So what if it takes 6 nights to finish it haha
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Did you pull and all nighter and watch them all? :)
No, and not too likely I'll watch them for a week or two - I have things in " my que " so to speak ! But I have them - they are ready when I am ready ! All 3 would be more than an all nighter - unless you never stop to pee ! :-[
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LOTR price on Amazon is now $79.99!
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man people are really getting butt hurt over these reviews, I think they need to stop dwelling on the minutia of tiny blemishes which are actually talked about, and realize how overall this is an amazing audio/visual presentation
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man people are really getting butt hurt over these reviews, I think they need to stop dwelling on the minutia of tiny blemishes which are actually talked about, and realize how overall this is an amazing audio/visual presentation
Speaking of blemishes or rather lack thereof, I have only watched part 1 of the Extended version of Fellowship so far and my only nitpick is that I think Frodo's face should have at least a few blemishes rather than looking like plastic. I don't have the Blu Ray so I don't know how his face looked in it.
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Speaking of blemishes or rather lack thereof, I have only watched part 1 of the Extended version of Fellowship so far and my only nitpick is that I think Frodo's face should have at least a few blemishes rather than looking like plastic. I don't have the Blu Ray so I don't know how his face looked in it.
It has always looked like that, so I don't know what the big deal is. These films look fabulous and any DNR was meant to be there (according to Jackson) in order to soften the look of the film so the VFX shots didn't stick out like a sore thumb. These people looking at one frame shots from a nearly 4 hours movie really need to get a life!
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It has always looked like that, so I don't know what the big deal is. These films look fabulous and any DNR was meant to be there (according to Jackson) in order to soften the look of the film so the VFX shots didn't stick out like a sore thumb. These people looking at one frame shots from a nearly 4 hours movie really need to get a life!
Some people are never happy.
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Vincent's HDR and WCG measurements of the Fellowship disc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzJw33CcOZo&feature=emb_title
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Excellent rundown.