Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 2.0
This film deserves better on Blu ray.
After watching this Blu ray, I have to agree with many of the other people complaining about the transfer. Although it was a little bit better than I expected, I too often found myself pulled out of the experience of the movie by distracting artifacts or what looks like excessive digital processing. It's sad because many shots look good, and the colors definitely "pop" more than on the DVD, but more of the movie looks like I'm watching it on TNT HD or even DVD. At least the audio is a steup up, although why didn't they go for 6.1 or 7.1?This was supposed to be Paramounts "Sapphire Series". If this is what they have in mind, I'm not buying next time.I also watched "Braveheart", also part of the Sapphire Series, which has a beautiful transfer on Blu ray. It's a shame when you think that "Gladiator" could've looked like that, too. Winner of 5 Academy Awards, and less than 10 years old, and this is the best they can do?I'm just glad I got Gladiator on sale, and I also get a rebate for being an owner of the DVD version. If I was anyone else, I'd wait for the price to drop below $14.99.Paramount should reissue this movie with a new transfer for Blu ray.