7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a deranged serial killer dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" by the media.
Starring: William Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis FarinaThriller | 100% |
Mystery | 69% |
Crime | 62% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Michael Mann's "Manhunter" (1986) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The disc contains the Theatrical Version and Director's Cut of the film; original theatrical trailer; audio commentary by director Michael Mann; featurette; and video interview with cinematographer Dante Spinotti. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Help us, Will...
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer, Michael Mann's Manhunter arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
Careful noise corrections have been applied but fine detail and textures remain strong. In fact, the noise corrections have removed primarily the majority of the pulsating noise that is visible on the Region-A release, while grain remains visible throughout the entire film. In motion, the two releases look very similar, conveying comparable depth and fluidity. I have tried to match two screencaptures so that you could see that massive amounts of detail are not eliminated and that the image does not look soft - take a look at screencaptures #1 and 6 and compare them with screencaptures #4 and 8 from our review of The Hannibal Lecter Collection. Contrast levels are also convincing and comparable to those of the Region-A release. I also did not see any major discrepancies in the color-scheme - as intended, the colors are never lush and saturated, with blacks in particular looking quite soft. There are traces of mild sharpening as well (see the various briefing scenes), but none of them are overly distracting. Large artifacts and serious aliasing patterns do not plague the presentation. Finally, there are no serious stability issues to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
I prefer to watch Manhunter with the English LPCM 2.0 track as I believe that it is more appropriate for its stylish psychedelic soundtrack. I like better the front-heavy sound and the rapidly shifting dynamics, which are somewhat lost with the better balanced DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. In other words, I like the slightly more uneven sound of the English LPCM 2.0 because I feel that it blends better with the chic retro imagery. For the record, the dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and very easy to follow. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or audio dropouts to report in this review.
Optimum Home Entertainment have put together a good package for Michael Mann's cult thriller Manhunter. I personally prefer the look of the Region-A release, but having compared both, I can assure you that they look more or less identical. Pick whichever release you like better and more importantly are equipped to play. RECOMMENDED.
2001
Black Label 034 | Limited Edition
1984
2005
2017
2004
2019
2016
2012
1991
2015
Slasher Classics Collection #44
1983
2012
Special Edition
1990
1988
Slasher Classics Collection
1980
2020
Extreme Edition
2006
Extreme Edition
2007
Includes When a Stranger Calls Back and The Sitter
1979
2013-2015