6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Deep within the mysterious Forest of Resurrection, a spectacular battle between good and evil has gone on since the dawn of time. When Prisoner KSC2-303 escapes from a maximum-security jail, he enters the forest believing it will lead him to a safe haven. Instead, he finds himself a pawn in an endless struggle played out against an ever-changing background across multiple temporal planes of existence.
Starring: Tak Sakaguchi, Hideo Sakaki, Chieko Misaka, Kenji Matsuda, Minoru MatsumotoForeign | 100% |
Horror | 60% |
Supernatural | 11% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Japanese: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Japanese and English 6.1 tracks on “Ultimate Versus” only; Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In case any of you have been struggling to pass this seemingly interminable "Covid time" with some form of activity, you might consider engaging in debate in our Forums about various films and their Blu-ray releases. A whole bunch of folks evidently didn't need my (obviously joking) advice about posting their reactions with regard to this new Arrow release of Versus, since Arrow's version is causing considerable controversy for its omission of filters that gave the original theatrical and home video releases a somewhat otherworldly appearance. It should be stated that Arrow made this decision in conjunction with co-writer and director Ryuhei Kitamura (see the video section, below, for more information in this regard), but that hasn't helped to quell some of the blowback. This is another case where some are going to feel the response amounts to a tempest in a teapot, while others will no doubt go to the opposite extreme and insist this decision has spoiled an otherwise much anticipated release. One way or the other, Arrow has once again assembled a release with a really impressive array of supplements, some of which at least may help to take the "sting" out of the unfiltered video presentation for those who feel it was an unforced error.
Versus is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:
Versus was restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, with 2.0 stereo, 5.1 and 6.1 sound.The single biggest response to this new release has been the color timing, especially the absence of sometimes extreme filters that were employed for both the theatrical exhibition and the now long ago Blu-ray release. This is one of the few times in my personal experience that I can recall a studio and/or label responding to fans' reactions to this situation, but Arrow has gone on the record as follows:
Versus was produced on a very low budget and shot on 16mm, entirely on location. The footage was transferred to files, from which all editing, colour correction, and other post production was completed. From this data, 35mm intermediate elements were created, which were the source for theatrical prints. The film was shot without sound, so the soundtrack was created completely in post. Because of this specific workflow, the film has always exhibited an occasionally soft appearance and loose synch, both traits in keeping with how the film was produced.
For this restoration, this original 35mm intermediate element was scanned in 4K resolution at Imagica, Japan. The film was graded and restored at Dragon DI, Wales. Picture grading was supervised and approved by director Ryuhei Kitamura.
In response to some forum comments we have seen online, we would like to issue a statement on why our recent Blu-ray release of Versus looks the way it does.While this is just one of those "it is what it is" situations, the fact that Kitamura was involved in this may lend credence to the fact that this is the way he wanted it to look, something that is prehaps supported by the fact that the "original" theatrical version (i.e., with the original grading/timing choices) is not included, something that it seems could have been accomplished and ameliorated fans' negative responses to this decision. I have to assume Kitamura himself did not want the original version included, as angry and/or disappointed as that may make some people.
Previous releases of this film employed a set of strong colour filters, but working under instruction of Director Ryuhei Kitamura, who oversaw and approved our grade, we have treated these scenes more realistically with a broader overall colour scheme. He confirmed that the use of filters had been a rushed decision on his part at the time of release and was always something he had wanted to change.
Equally, as explained in the Blu-ray booklet, Versus was originally shot on 16mm on a very low budget in natural light. We sourced the best elements available - blow-up 35mm intermediates - for our remaster rather than the original 16mm negative. As a result and due to the nature of the original production and subsequent post-production, the film will always look a little rough, as it should.
We hope that this explains that the new colour grade was at the specific instruction of the director and that the quality of the presentation remains true to the independent nature of how the film was shot and produced.
As mentioned in the technical data reprinted from the insert booklet, above, this post looped film has the same kind of almost surreal aspect that many Italian films do, since the audio never quite seems to match the imagery at times. As detailed in the Special Features and Extras section immediately below this section, the theatrical version on Disc One features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 mixes in Japanese, with an English dub also in LPCM 2.0. Ultimate Versus ups the ante slightly by offering DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 mixes in Japanese and English, with concurrent LPCM 2.0 mixes in both languages. The surround tracks do offer some significant immersion in the many action scenes, as well as at least occasional ambient environmental sounds, and the 6.1 track occasionally provides a bit more surround activity in the showdown scenes in particular. That said, this is not a "whiz bang" sound design, probably due at least in part to the paltry budget of the film, and so expectations about nonstop effects and/or overpowering LFE may need to be tempered somewhat. I noticed no issues whatsoever in terms of damage, distortion or dropouts. I spent most of my time on the Japanese surround tracks, toggling to the other available tracks. Optional English subtitles are available.
Disc One
Both of the above are (mostly) in Japanese with English subtitles.- Part 1: Birth of a Dark Hero (1080i; 26:40)
- Part 2: Versus the Legend (1080i; 46:06)
Both of the above play to music, though occasional "spoken" moments do have subtitles, weirdly enough.- Clip A (1080i; 2:06)
- Clip B (1080i; 3:07)
The above are in Japanese with English subtitles.- Nervous (1080i; 6:31 )
- Nervous 2 (1080i; 15:58 )
- The Making of Nervous 2 (1080i; 1:17)
- The Return: Down 2 Hell Trailer (1080i; 1:43)
- English Language Trailer (1080i; 1:41)
- Making Of Trailer (1080i; 4:30)
- Theatrical Trailer (1080i; 2:02) touts a pull quote from one "B.P., Major Hollywood Actor!"
- Promo Trailer (1080i; 00:19)
- Promotional Stills (1080p; 5:00)
- Posters (1080p; 3:10)
- Japanese Press Book (1080p; 4:00)
- Japanese Press Kit (1080p; 00:50)
It seems to me that Arrow could have pretty easily sidestepped the filter controversy by simply including the original version with the others here, and the fact that they didn't strikes me as probably indicating that Kitamura didn't want it included. With that in mind, fans of the film will need to decide individually how they feel about the changes here, but what is here sports generally solid technical merits and Arrow's typical glut of impressive supplementary material. With caveats duly noted, Recommended.
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