DNR Madness. Fox’s New PREDATOR Blu-ray Offends

Fox’s new Blu-ray release, PREDATOR: ULTIMATE HUNTER EDITION, sadly tries to correct complaints that the previous Blu-ray release was a bit too grainy by overcompensating and making this 1987 film look like it was shot on modern HD video. For those interested in their films actually looking like film, this is not good news. DNR, when over applied, ends up removing not only a film’s natural grain, but important details as well (for more on this, check out my article over at Examiner.com BLU-RAY KVETCH SESSION).

Below are two identical shots from PREDATOR. The top one is from the original Blu-ray release, the bottom from the new “fixed” version.

Notice how in the bottom image, Arnold’s face looks waxy, fake. Even his stubble has lost its texture. Yes, it’s sharper, but it no longer looks like film.Now this is clearly apparent on a small image. Imagine what it might look like on your large TV or front projector. It would be nice if the studios that are still over-applying DNR would listen to the folks that buy their products and stop making film look like video. One need only visit any web site devoted to DVD and Blu-ray to find such complaints.

Thanks to The Digital Bits for pointing this out.