Movies that Deserve to Be Released in 4K
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Jan. 17, 2022, 12:07 a.m. by DemonDragonJ
Every time that a new video format is produced, film studios will usually seek to take advantage of it by releasing their existing films in that format, as seen with DVD, blu-ray, and, now, 4K.
4K has had several years to gain a presence in the market, and a significant number of films have been released in that format, but there are still some films that have not yet enjoyed a re-issue in this amazing new format, so I shall open a discussion for the users here to mention the films that they would like to see in 4K.
My first choices are Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, both of which have been released on blu-ray, which certainly was a spectacular presentation, but I think that those two films, with their dazzling display of color and immerse soundtracks, are perfect candidates for the 4K format.
As with the previous example, both Tron and Tron Legacy have been released in blu-ray, but they definitely would be well-served by being upgraded to 4K, with their impressive visuals and innovative effects.
The Matrix trilogy has been released on 4K, but The Animatrix has not, which I find to be weird, as that suggests that the film studio does not consider that film to be an official part of the franchise, but it is another film that would very much benefit from being upgraded to a newer format.
Heavy Metal is a cult classic that will never be regarded with the same level of reverence as the original Star Wars trilogy or some of Disney's best animated films, but it certainly has a small but dedicated fan base. It has been released on blu-ray, but that release barely polished it or cleaned it up; one could argue that the grittiness of that film is a part of its appeal, and I can understand that sentiment, but I still would like to see it given the 4K treatment, including HDR and a proper polishing. Similarly, its sequel, Heavy Metal 2000, would also look great in that format, as it is a much newer and more detailed film (even if its plot was unoriginal and straightforward).
The first Home Alone movie has been released on 4K, but Home Alone 2 has not, amazingly, so I do hope that 20th Century Pictures releases it in that format, eventually.
What does everyone else say about this? What are some films that you feel deserve to be released on 4K?
None of them. 4k transfers generally make things worse:
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The "lower quality" of the film is an important part of hiding older CGI or flaws with the use of practical effects.
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It changes the colors and lighting of the film, which can drastically change the tone of the film. For one infamous example (though not a 4k transition, similar in nature), the Buffy HD remaster made scenes "better lit"... in a show about vampires... where the bad lighting was intentional to build tension and horror.
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It is not always respectful to the director's vision. The director wanted the movie to look a certain way--4k remasters change that final product.
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It can make the images seem a little more "flat" because of the way they do the pixel optimization.
January 17, 2022 12:58 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #4
Personally, I have noticed some films and movies are unwatchable for me. As an example, Borderlands is a game I can't play. Their animation and CGI style causes excruciating migraines. Not motion sickness; I don't become sick to my stomach. But like having strobe lights blaring into my eyes and nails driven into my skull.
I've had to walk out of theaters for this same reason.
January 17, 2022 1:27 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #5
Sorry for the double post; at work now.
I've read studies and seen videos explaining how the Human eye actually can not differentiate between 4k and other versions because of how pixels and the rods / cones work in our eye. That we only have so many photoreceptors of specific wavelengths, and at a certain point, cramming more into the same space functionally does nothing.
Obviously I am paraphrasing, but the studies suggested that after a certain point, the brain will actively ignore input, meaning it doesn't matter if you have 5k, 6k even 10k. Your brain physically won't allow you to process anything above a specific threshold, therefore making any advancements in further technology entirely meaningless.
January 17, 2022 1:36 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #6
TypicalTimmy, I do know that the human eye has difficulty distinguishing resolutions beyond 4K, so, after I upgrade my collection to 4K, I do not plan to upgrade it any further.
January 18, 2022 9:04 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Since the original Space Jam has been released in 4k, I definitely would like to see Warner Bros. release The Iron Giant in 4K, as well.
The original Men in Black would definitely look great in 4K, also.
Caerwyn, I can certainly understand your thoughts about this matter, but I always read reviews of any movie before I purchase it on blu-ray or 4K (reviews of the releases, not the movies themselves), and the majority of reviewers believe that being upgraded to a superior format makes movies more amazing and enjoyable than ever before, so I trust that most companies know what they are doing when they upgrade their movies.
Actually, on that subject, I have heard that the 4K release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl is of surprisingly low quality for such a high-budget film, but I plan to purchase it, anyway, to help convince Disney to release more of their films on 4K, such as those that I mentioned, above.
January 19, 2022 8:05 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #8
I cannot believe that I forgot to mention Titan: A.E., as that movie is an underrated masterpiece and would look amazing in ultra-high definition, yet it has not even been released on blu-ray, only DVD.
January 20, 2022 8:33 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #9
Here is one of the videos I was mentioning. Great watch, if you have 18 minutes.
If you have 8 minutes, here is a wonderful (albeit paced) video on why remastering fails.
And lastly, this video talks about the difference between 4k, 8k and 16k.
The absolute truth of the matter is that, functionally, none of this matters. The reason none of this matters is because technology can advance to 32k, 64k and 128k and beyond... however, you still need to see it with your own eyes. Your eyes are not perfect - and they will never be better. Surgery can help, but even still your eyes will progressively worsen over time, all the same.
At a certain point, your eyes are at their "maximum" in terms of visual perception. Want to know what your "maximum" is? Look away from your screen that you are reading this off of. Look around the room.
That's your maximum. No pixels, no interlace, no progression. Natural, unencumbered light. That is the best your eyes currently provide.
Trying to cram 2x, 4x, 16x or 32x the detail in the same area of your screen means you are cramming in more and more information, making each "packet" of information smaller and smaller and smaller, making it harder and harder and harder to see. You increase the sharpness, but not the detail. And again, it doesn't matter if you get 128k and beyond - your eyes will only see what they allow you to see.
Functionally, with limited exceptions, anything beyond 4k is meaningless.
January 21, 2022 4:30 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #10
It seems as if one of my wishes shall be granted.
I also cannot believe that I forgot to mention Anastasia, as that is another movie that would benefit from the 4K format, as well.
TypicalTimmy says... #2
Call me old fashioned, but I prefer the grainy style of older movies. I also prefer the cracks and pops of older recordings and vinyl records.
January 17, 2022 1:50 a.m.