ROCKY 4K UHD BLU-RAY REVIEW

The 4K release of the 1976 classic 'Rocky' starring Sylvester Stallone in steelbook form. Aspect ratio is approximately 1.85:1 and comes with DTS HD 5.1 sound as the default but with the option of matrixed four track stereo via the sound option on the menu. Also included in this video is a look at the previous Blu-ray 'Heavyweight Edition' pack of all six Rocky films. Plus, 'Cursed Films', the five part documentary series from Shudder in 2019 which has now been released on Blu-ray. I was sent a review copy after being impressed with the preview stream I was given access to for the possibility of reviewing it.
I've pinned a conversation between myself and Jesus Martinez to the top of the comments because Jesus put a great post all about IMAX but he had trouble getting KZbin to accept it. Please read through all the replies because I've pasted in what he said previously several replies down from his first comment and it's well worth a read. John.

[@JesusMartinez-mk6fc]

Great review John. Thank you for going the extra mile and comparing the 4k and the Blu-ray on your different displays to get to the bottom of it. I think most people were hoping for a greater improvement on the 4K. BTW, I posted my IMAX comment that you asked me to save on your "TENET In 15-70 IMAX at the BFI IMAX" video as soon as I saw it about 18 hours after your video went live. Didn't you say you wanted to pin it up?

[@moviecollector5920]

Did I miss your comment Jesus or was I being an idiot. Yes, I wanted to pin it to the top. Damn it. Can you do a reply to me if I responded and I'll sort my life out!!!

[@JesusMartinez-mk6fc]

@@moviecollector5920 No, you didn't respond to my comment John like you usually do. I figured you missed it with all the comments you read and reply to. No harm done. Honestly, I don't know how you manage to read through so many comments and reply to so many. That must keep you insanely busy with all you do.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@JesusMartinez-mk6fc That explains it Jesus. It didn't appear in the list then so I'll have to go looking for it. It's very unusual for this to happen. I've just checked in the 'Held for review' section and it's not in there either so I'll have to scroll down all the messages below the actual video. Stand by.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@JesusMartinez-mk6fc I've just been down the whole list of messages on that one and it's not there. It seems it was removed or rejected and you weren't notified. Any chance of posting it in again? Here's the relevant text of the original post in case you don't have it: ,IMAX 15-70mm film projectors are a species on the verge of extinction due to the high cost of film stock production and distribution versus digital projection. You gentlemen, if Adam also happens to reside in London, are quite lucky as London appears to have no less than five theaters equipped with the 4K "IMAX with Laser" digital projection system, the superior digital projection offering from IMAX; their substantially inferior regular IMAX digital projection system being murkely described in their advertised marketing strategy. You can easily find out which cities around the world have IMAX theaters on their websitite (imax.com) by clicking on the "FIND A THEATER" button on the top right corner. By entering the city name and country, you'll be shown the IMAX theaters in the corresponding metropolitain area with icons describing the facilities of each theater. In Montreal where I live, the second largest metropolitan area in Canada after Toronto, with about 4,3 million inhabitants, there is an IMAX theater located in the Montreal Science Centre that used to be equiped with an IMAX 70 mm film projector. Quite some years ago, that was replaced with a 4K IMAX with Laser projection system. However this theater doesn't show any feature movies, only IMAX documentaries. All other nine IMAX theaters in town are only equipped with the regular IMAX digital projection. It would seem that the theater operators are not willing to make the necessary investments. The only IMAX with Laser 4K digital projection system in the whole of Canada that shows feature movies is located in downtown Toronto; quite ironic since IMAX was a company that was founded in Montreal in 1967 before moving to Toronto some years later and eventually being acquired in a leveraged buyout by American investment bankers and publicly listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. I watched Villeneuve's Dune twice at the same downtown Cineplex theater complex both in regular IMAX and under their UltraAVX banner. The regular IMAX digital projection system can only project with a 1.89 aspect ratio to regular sized screens and is substantially inferior to the IMAX 4K according to specifications and reports. I felt that on the regular IMAX screening, the picture was of the soft side and lacked some sharpness and detail while being overly dark. The regular IMAX digital projection system uses two 2K projectors where the two 2K images are projected superimposed on each other with a half-pixel offset to increase the perceived resolution to approximately 2.9K. So much for their advertised "The IMAX Experience", that's what has come to be referred to as "LieMAX" by some people. The Cineplex UltraAVX theaters on the other hand use Cristie 4K digital projectors. This second 4K screening of Dune on Christie definitely produced a sharper picture with higher brightness helping to bring out more detail, specially in those darker scenes, which there are plenty of in this movie . Where the IMAX screening was superior was on the sound front with deeper and richer bass; the UltraAVX theater unfortunately not being equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system. The "IMAX with Laser" digital projection system uses a pair of 4K projectors that also superimpose the images with a half-pixel offset to increase the perceived resolution to a little over 4K. As its name suggest, it replaces xenon arc lamps with RGB laser light sources that double its contrast ratio over that of IMAX 15/70 mm film projection and higher than the 2,500:1 contrast ratio of IMAX's xenon lamp-based projection systems. It's also capable of displaying the full Rec. 2020 color gamut/space. While not matching the theoretical 12K resolution of IMAX 70 mm film, it can produce oversized pictures in the traditional IMAX 1.43 aspect ratio but can also be used on wider screens such as the 1.89. In conclusion, while the "IMAX with Laser" 4K digital projection system doesn't quite reach the levels of cinematic experience that legacy 15/70 mm IMAX film projection achieves, it is clearly superior to regular IMAX digital projection, the latter one being arguably of lesser quality than competing 4K digital projection systems. Cheers!

[@JesusMartinez-mk6fc]

@@moviecollector5920 John, it took me three attemps to upload as the YT Andoid app failed to post my commen twice. I finally succeeded in posting it with the Google Chome web browser. As of now, in my YT app on Android, it's still showing. When I look with the Chrome browser, it's also there. It shows a date of 2 days ago. With 319 comments, it's possible you missed it. I dont't think it will allow me to post the same message again as it may tag it as spam. Your best bet is to use your web browser, open a youtube webpage and enter the video number on the search field: apkOZrgueLQ . Then scroll all the way down the whole comment section without even looking for my name, then go on the menu of your web browser and select the find or search option and simply enter my name (Jesus) and let the computer find it; computers are better at searching than us. If it can't find me, then for some weird reason I wouldn't put pass YT, it's not showing it to you. It took out the 1st paragraph that was referring to Adam Atom's experience since I no longer repliyto his comment and I made a couple of small changes like a typo. So here follows the exact comment as posted: John, that's an absolutely amazing video and tour of the BFI theater and of the IMAX 15/70 projection system. Kudos! It's quite an impressive piece of engineering and much more complex than I had imagined. Unfortunately, IMAX 15/70mm film projectors are a species on the verge of extinction due to the high cost of the film stock production and distribution versus digital projection. You're quite fortunate to reside in London John, where the BFI theater still maintains such a 15/70 mm IMAX film projector. Furthermore, London appears to have no less than five theaters equipped with the 4K "IMAX with Laser" digital projection system, the superior digital projection offering from IMAX; their substantially inferior regular IMAX digital projection system being murkely described in their advertised marketing strategy. You can easily find out which cities around the world have IMAX theaters on their websitite (imax.com) by clicking on the "FIND A THEATER" button on the top right corner. By entering the city name and country, you'll be shown the IMAX theaters in the corresponding metropolitain area with icons describing the facilities of each theater. In Montreal where I live, the second largest metropolitan area in Canada after Toronto, with about 4,3 million inhabitants, there is an IMAX theater located in the Montreal Science Centre that used to be equiped with an IMAX 70 mm film projector. Some years ago, that was replaced with a 4K "IMAX with Laser" projection system. However this theater doesn't show any feature movies, only IMAX documentaries. All other nine IMAX theaters in town are only equipped with the regular IMAX digital projection system. It would seem that the theater operators are not willing to make the necessary investments. The only IMAX with Laser 4K digital projection system in the whole of Canada that shows feature movies is located in downtown Toronto. Quite ironic since IMAX was a company that was founded in Montreal in 1967 before moving to Toronto some years later and eventually being acquired in a leveraged buyout by American investment bankers and publicly listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. I watched Denis Villeneuve's Dune twice at the same downtown Cineplex theater complex both in regular IMAX and under their UltraAVX banner. The regular IMAX digital projection system, sometimes referred by some as 2K, can only project with a 1.89 aspect ratio to regular sized screens and is substantially inferior to the "IMAX with Laser" 4K according to specifications and reports. I felt that on the regular IMAX screening of Dune, the picture was of the soft side and lacked some sharpness and detail while being overly dark. The regular IMAX digital projection system uses two 2K projectors where the two 2K images are projected superimposed on each other with a half-pixel offset to increase the perceived resolution to approximately 2.9K. So much for their advertised "The IMAX Experience"; this is what has come to be disparagingly referred to as "LieMAX" by some people. The Cineplex UltraAVX theaters on the other hand use Christie CP4230 DLP 4K digital projectors. This second 4K screening of Dune on Christie definitely produced a sharper picture with higher brightness helping to bring out more detail, specially in those darker scenes, which there are plenty of in this movie. Where the IMAX screening was superior was on the sound front with deeper and richer bass; the UltraAVX theater unfortunately not being equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system. The "IMAX with Laser" digital projection system uses a pair of 4K projectors that also superimpose the images with a half-pixel offset to increase the perceived resolution to a little over 4K. As its name suggests, it replaces the xenon arc lamp with RGB laser light sources that double its contrast ratio over that of IMAX 15/70 mm film projection and higher than the 2,500:1 contrast ratio of IMAX's xenon lamp-based projection systems. It's also capable of displaying the full Rec. 2020 color gamut/space. While not matching the estimated theoretical 12K resolution of IMAX 70 mm film, it can produce the oversized pictures in the traditional IMAX 1.43 aspect ratio but can also be used on wider screens such as the 1.89. The conclusion that I draw from my viewing experiences and the research I've conducted is that while the "IMAX with Laser" 4K digital projection system doesn't reach the levels of cinematic experience that legacy 15/70 mm IMAX film projection achieves, it is clearly superior to regular IMAX digital projection, the latter one being arguably of lesser quality than competing 4K digital projection systems. Cheers!

[@TheFlixFiles]

The Rocky series of films will always have a special place in my heart. I still remember the audience reaction to Rocky IV when I saw it back in 1985, it was wild!

[@moviecollector5920]

Rocky IV was a bit of a film of its time really Roger. I suppose it hit the spot but I couldn't get into it until relatively recently but I even rather like the Creed films which I don't think I would have done years ago. John.

[@cheekster777]

Just a heads up… Warner and MGM’s new Rocky: The Knockout Collection box set may have a number of errors, including: The original theatrical audio on Rocky is actually a downmix of the 5.1, not the original mono. For those that care, the original mono audio, can be found on the old MGM USA Blu-ray and on the EUR 4K Remaster Blu-ray.

[@moviecollector5920]

The sound was damned good in here cheekster but just about everything sounds good through my system. I don't think Rocky needs anything but a mono track so it's good that a bit of stereo doesn't spoil the effect. Thank you for the update though. John.

[@DanielRamirez-md9ry]

Rocky II has all of its audio tracks at the wrong pitch, some mess with PAL soundtracks conversion

[@moviecollector5920]

@@DanielRamirez-md9ry That's a shame. It's going to cost to get that sorted, that's for sure. It's an illustration of how cumbersome and fraught with danger it is to produce these things for disc release. The amount of work that goes into it is phenomenal and so many ways something can go wrong. John.

[@200wattstudio8]

@@moviecollector5920 ROCKY was Oscar nominated for its sound (mono mix) in 1976. That Oscar nominated sound is not included in this release. It's a revisionist sound mix done by people not involved in making the film

[@moviecollector5920]

@@200wattstudio8 I don't tend to get upset or annoyed about not putting original soundtracks on disc releases because I know the amount of work involved in providing different soundtrack options and the possibility of things going wrong. But in this case, I do think the original mono sound should have been on there. The Dolby Stereo option could have been dropped as it's so similar to the newer 5.1 re-hash. John.

[@billg3356]

Another top notch review, John. Rocky is my 2nd favorite film of all time and it continues to inspire to this day. Not just actors and filmmakers, but everyday people. Everybody has a little bit of that underdog spirit in them that Rocky taps into so well. It's a truly great film. Beautifully written, acted, and executed. 1970s perfection.

[@moviecollector5920]

And there I was saying it wasn't quite perfect Bill. Sorry about that. It is a great film though and from probably the best decade of all for great films. John.

[@billg3356]

@@moviecollector5920 there really was nothing quite like the films of the 1970s, eh John?

[@moviecollector5920]

@@billg3356 No one seems to have disagreed with me about that statement yet Bill. I'm sure it will come though! John.

[@DaEDman4life]

The absolute pinnacle. Congratulations! YOU deserve it. Your hard work and due diligence during this journey has been a great success all the while taking and teaching us ( the followers) a great deal. Many blessings to you Jay! Now could play Dire Strait's " Brothers in arms" and or Sting's "It"s probably me" Thanks. 💯😉

[@moviecollector5920]

I take it you're a bit of a fan of Rocky! Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for letting me know. John.

[@bellcstu]

Love Rocky it’s such a 70’s classic…a classic love story against the backdrop of a boxing match …I picked up the steel book but upon hearing the many issues regarding the series I sent it back…here’s hoping that warners sort it out…look forward to purchasing the box set later on in the year when and if they release all of them…great review as always 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@moviecollector5920]

If there's an issue with the disc they'll issue replacements. I hope you'll be able to get the steelbook again when that happens but that may be a limited edition. Whether or not I'll bother getting a replacement disc because there's something not quite right with the sound, I don't know. It should be mono sound but the sound that was on there did suit the imagery so that's probably good enough for most of us. It wasn't too over the top and bombastic like some re-worked soundtracks. John.

[@thelookuplookdown]

John, I am in genuine awe of your technical knowledge on the screening of film. my interest over the years has more been geared towards the behind-the-scenes and making of a film, but since watching your channel I've begun to realize without the correct technology any artistic endeavor is nonexisting. Thank you for broadening my horizon on , what i think, is the best of its kind channel on KZbin. I may not comment as often as I would wish to but i watch everything you place (and like). Michael - SA

[@moviecollector5920]

Thanks Michael. That's a shot in the arm... but fortunately not a potentially deadly one like some of the shots we were all encouraged to take lately! I hope you're keeping well over there in the colonies and enjoying your movies. I'm just about to get on the bus to London for tomorrow IMAX presentation of INTERSTELLAR. I'm rather excited and it's not often I've said that about a cinema outing in the past 20 years! John.

[@thelookuplookdown]

@@moviecollector5920 We have an IMAX cinema in Cape Town, about 40 minutes drive from me (I've never been) but I sincerely doubt it's on par with the ones you have in the UK. It was not specially built but one of the cinemas in an existing multiplex (don't you just hate them) was converted, so .. enjoy your outing and relive the magical experience (alas now lost to us) when going to a cinema to see a road show or epic release was an event... Michael - SA

[@moviecollector5920]

@@thelookuplookdown That's very unlikely to be a genuine IMAX then Michael so almost certain to be a faux IMAX with video projection only. There are four or five different versions of video projection that are passed off as IMAX so you often don't know what you're going to see. There are still some cinemas claiming 'IMAX' that are a lowly 2K video projector. I think 4K is bad enough but the twin laser lamp projector job is just over 4K and everyone speaks highly of that... although few have ever seen the real McCoy. John.

[@thelookuplookdown]

@@moviecollector5920 thank you, John, I thought as much which is why i have not bothered to go.. Michael -SA

[@stevenandnicola123]

Good stuff John. Got to agree with you, the 70's were the best decade for cinema.

[@moviecollector5920]

I thought I was sticking my neck out there Steve but all I've had is agreement so far. I'm sure that's going to change soon though. John.

[@PeterMcCluskey]

Thanks for the great review John. I've always loved Rocky and to me it's actually one of the best romantic films of all time. I remember I had the first Blu-ray which came out around 2007 and it was quite poor and then got the restored version around 2914 and I was amazed at the difference. It's good to hear your thoughts about the difference between the 4k and the Blu-ray. As for the rest of the sequels there are rumours of disc replacement programs due to incorrect audio pitch. Pity they couldn't have sorted this during QC.

[@moviecollector5920]

Good point about it being one of the best romantic films ever because it is a bit of a choker when Talia Shire comes out of the changing rooms to check Rocky is alright and he's been knocked down. Then the ending finishes me off! I don't know about audio issues but I'm happy with it and wouldn't have thought anything was wrong. I am listening to THX Ultra though. Quality control would be unlikely to pick up something so minor. You'd have to know the previous release extremely well and even then, it's not the original mono sound so they're never going to please all of the people. John.

[@ericlozen9631]

It's been awhile since I've watched any of your reviews. The last time I did so was when I was just beginning to purchase 4K movies. My collection is fairly modest. Currently I have a few dozen titles along with a good handful of Blu-ray selections. I saw Rocky (1976) twice in the theaters in '76. I was just 8 years old. Yes, even young kids got pumped up watching this! Then along came Star Wars, a few months later...

[@moviecollector5920]

I've been playing with all the settings on the new video projector since recording this review Eric and I put Rocky on again the other day. I can confirm it's now looking much better than it was and perceptibly superior to the Blu-ray so might be worth adding it to your 4K wish list. It's just a shame Star Wars hasn't been made available yet but one day hopefully. I don't count the re-worked versions of Star Wars. John.

[@bobswanson8464]

Saw Rocky in the Movie theater back in 1976, what an impact it had on me. Left the theater thinking about the movie for the next few weeks...and could be the first movie I wanted them to make a "Sequel". Wanted a Rematch. Have watching the movie on "Broadcast TV", VHS (on the first I ever rented), DVD, Blu-ray...I may skip the 4K, I love how my Blu-Ray. DO not mind the DVD, gives it the "Old 70s" gritty film look. Thanks once again for your reviews...look forward to your new material and I often go back and re-watch many of your older reviews.

[@moviecollector5920]

You're a good man Bob. I think I first saw Rocky on a tv broadcast. It was released full length on super 8 in the latter 1980's but it was one that I didn't get. I do have the trailer reel though which I think has the first three Rocky films and also First Blood. I might put that into a show for the forthcoming BFCC cos' it's quite a rare reel and quite relevant right now with the films being re-released as 4K home movie discs. John.

[@johnmbell4642]

Hey John, I can remember when this movie came out I was a little too young to see it but I remember listening to the soundtrack quite a bit and knowing the movie was a big one. I saw on video at home sometime later and really liked the movie. I can remember very clearly to this day, looking at the paper seeing when Rocky 2 was playing I saw it opening weekend and the crowd went crazy. One of the best times I’ve had in a theater. I have Rocky on Blu-ray and I’ve always thought it looked great, like it was supposed to gritty very 70s. i’m gonna pick it up on 4K. They have a pretty nice box that I’ll pick it up later on when they discount the price I really want the steel book but I already have a very nice digy book Version of the Blu-ray I’m sure you’re familiar. It’s a small hardcover booklet with the movie inside. I think that worked out well for you the steel book for the first movie and the blu-ray for the rest. Have a great one as always john

[@moviecollector5920]

It seems that a lot of us have a real affection for Rocky John. I didn't see it at the cinema so the first time I'd have seen it would have been a television broadcast. Remember those days? It seems like a long time ago now that we'd sit down to watch broadcasts during the evening but it's still there, just only watched by the elderly in the main. Maybe I should say 'very elderly' given that some of us are knocking on a little now. I do'n't know the digibook version of Rocky. I was always tempted by the Derann full length Super 8 release but there was so many great films being released on Super 8 at the time and they were expensive so I couldn't get all of them. I did get the trailer reel though which has the first three trailers and First Blood I think. I was thinking about including that in this video but it was getting a bit too long. John.

[@johnmbell4642]

@@moviecollector5920 hey John The digibook is a little bit of a mystery to me as they just kind of appear some studios do them some do not some releases get them some do not.I don’t know if they were ever available in the UK. I know of no 4K that has been released in a digibook Here’s a link jeff is a pretty good guy and shows off his collection so you can see what I am talking about if you don’t already know have a great one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3bJaoeIbduCgpo

[@LeShark75]

John I've got the box set, I watched this disc last weekend and felt it looked outstanding. Prior to that I watched the new cut of Rocky 4 first because I was dying to seen this new version. Its looked incredible to me, the opening shots from Rocky III had me hoping that the main Rocky III disc looks just as good. Good stuff thus far.

[@moviecollector5920]

I'll have to watch all the Rocky films again sometime. It took me years to finally get into them but I did enjoy them all. I do think the 4K of the first film is very good, it's just that it's a close call if it's better than the previous Blu-ray. I had exactly the same dilemma last night with the 4K of Jerry Maguire so a bit of a theme seems to be developing lately. John.

[@pewburrito]

@@moviecollector5920 Does the 4k complete you John? You had me at 2160p John. The UHD's the Quan.

[@jefffan171]

Did your set include the directors cut on 1080p as well as the 4k? Trying to find a 1080p copy for my setup. Even if it means picking up the 4k edition to get the bonus disc

[@moviecollector5920]

@@pewburrito Aha, 'Jerry Maguire'! I didn't know that script too well until a couple of nights ago.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@jefffan171 No, it's only Rocky IV as it originally was. But others may be able to give you a pointer to a standard Blu-ray release with it. John.

[@garypage1963]

Hi John, thanks for a great review. Glad that the blu ray has a nice transfer 👍.

[@moviecollector5920]

A very good transfer for that Blu-ray Gary. It might render the 4K moot though so I'm not sure it's an entirely good thing. John.

[@NightBreakerDK]

Sorry I missed some of your last reviews. But I watched the ones I missed. I was gonna buy the bluray bundle of rocky. After watching this review. I will. Thanks for all your great work.

[@moviecollector5920]

I got that box of six from HMV for £10 years ago. Amazing. I don't think I need 4K's of any of the other films but the first one is a bit special so the steelbook was a bit of a special treat. It is only £25 though so I won't have to rob another bank just yet! John.

[@davemillage6129]

Hi John! Been curious about this set I like many grew up with the Rocky series. The steelbook looks real nice so I may add that one but will probably hold with my blu ray set ! I'm really happy with it and see so many other new releases set to come (cough cough Cool Hand Luke and the Maltese Falcon-then Rebel Without a Cause.. haha. No ends to good film discussions so why not a 70's 4k theme vid at some point lol Already this yr some great topics to look back at with Rollerball/the Driver and now Rocky 76! Great review thanks so much! Can't wait to listen to your Tenet experience I hope you had a great time. My best D in BC!!

[@moviecollector5920]

Morning Dave. There has been a bit of a 1970's theme developing on here lately so I suppose that's made me think about how many great, timeless movies there were in that decade compared to any other. But there are always good films coming out so I suppose I've yet to discover many that I've missed in more recent years which may make me respect recent times more than I do in terms of great cinema films. TENET is one of the greatest as far as I'm concerned but it's not just down to the movie itself, it's the way it was made and how it looks and sounds when you see it as it should be seen. I didn't really talk about it in the IMAX video and that's why I added something to this one. I did get the IMAX video out almost immediately after I recorded this Rocky video though so if you didn't see that, but I think you did, then it's up there and very much worth looking at I think. John.

[@edrooney1967]

Good recommendation, thanks: I've just watched the whole Season One of Cursed Films in one sitting ... twice. The second time with the audio commentary of director/writer/editor Jay Cheel. I really was positively surprised how interesting and in some instances illuminating the series was. I found the episode about The Twilight Zone - The movie quite moving and unsettling. BTW: I ordered this together with Room 237, the documentary/analysis/interpretation of The Shining. That's on another level!

[@moviecollector5920]

I too found that episode about the John Landis section of Twilight Zone The Movie interesting... riveting in fact - but unsettling at the same time. It does seem that they went too far and were trying to ensure their section was more ambitious and exciting than the other three sections. If they'd have gotten away with it perhaps we'd have received that film more favourably at the time but my recollection is that it was widely regarded as a bit disappointing with a downer of an ending to the whole thing. That 'downer' wasn't intended as a pun but at the time I didn't know the helicopter crash was real and people were killed so the ending just seemed a bit strange and a let down when I saw it in the cinema. As for 'Room 237', that sounds like it's another documentary that's up my street so thank you for the guidance there. John.

[@justinslack921]

I bought the rocky knockout collection on 4k. And I thought they looked great and a lot better than the blu rays. But I suppose that’s another great thing about physical media is that everyone can have different opinions. One thing I will mention about the rocky 4 4k disc though is that the rocky vs drago cut kind of puts the theatrical version that is on the same disc to shame I suppose that is to be expected though. I’m really looking forward to the seven 4k later this year and enter the dragon as well. 4k is a great format for older films. Always great to watch your videos and to listen to someone who really knows their stuff

[@moviecollector5920]

I've been playing with the Rocky 4K through my new projector Justin as I'm fiddling and tweaking the settings to see if I can improve the general image quality overall and I now have the 4K looking quite a lot nicer than the Blu-ray but the Blu-ray is still excellent quality. All our systems are different and also setup differently. The complexity being added to equipment now (if this new projector is anything to go by) is almost ridiculous so no wonder some people who have dabbled with 4K don't think it's any good. John.

[@raymondhall8629]

Thanks John for another great video 👍

[@moviecollector5920]

Thanks Raymond for another great comment!

[@mirvmn2]

Great review John :) Rocky is a classic and the best out of the series but I enjoy the other parts as well. Without a doubt my favorite film with Stallone. It's a very interesting drama where we get to see Balboa's early life and I really like the story. I have to watch it again sometime :)

[@moviecollector5920]

It's the human story that makes this so we're in agreement that this is the best but we enjoy them all. I might still like Cliffhanger the best of all Stallone's films but that was a different kettle of fish and the opening of that one made it one of my most memorable ever cinema visits. I went a second time to make sure it didn't affect me so badly and I was actually worse the second time. It needs a fairly huge screen to work though. John.

[@doublebillmovies]

Hello John. Ah yes the old having new equipment scenario. It took me a while to get my projector showing 4K better than 2k on my TV. I found there was a HDR setting in one of the setup menus of my projector that I had to turn on. I think I was getting it from the player but not from both. I stumbled across something while watching Cliffhanger. My TV was on behind my screen. The amp of course picked that up. Though I was watching the 4K disc in the player and through the projector, the amp wouldn't send 4K or HDR to the projector. I found it showed the core video on the 4K disc that was just the BD image. Like when you listen a 7.1 codec on your system. You only get the 5.1 core audio that has to be there for that very reason. So basically I was only getting the core video. Once I turned my TV and turned everything else back on in the correct order. Projector first. Once that's awake I turn on the player and amps. That way the projector recognises everything in the chain is 4K capable. I wonder if now you have a new projector that you'd be better off getting a 4K capable AVR, even if you stick with 5.1 Speak soon Trevor

[@moviecollector5920]

What I really need to do is to find a damned manual for the new projector Trev because it didn't come with one. I expect that's how it's done these days but if yours did still come with a manual please let me know. This new projector has more complication than the UHD550X but until I fully get to grips with it my current opinion is that the 550X may have superior colour. I've made a lot of changes though and that may no longer be the case as I haven't had the 550X on for a few days now to test the two projectors against each other. I'm looking forward to your next video and finding out what you went to see at the cinema last night. See you at the IMAX for Dunkirk next Thursday evening. Show starts at 8pm and still plenty of good seats left but don't leave it too long. whatson.bfi.org.uk/imax/Online/mapSelect.asp John.

[@doublebillmovies]

@@moviecollector5920 Ah yes the trusty old manual. Nope, mine didn't come with one either. There was a leaflet in my box with a QR code. That aloud us to download the manual. Once I put my THX Optimiser disc in I was able to get a much more representative picture. Hopefully your projector remote is better to use than mine is. Your new projector should be quite superior to your old one. The chip set should be much better. If I ever get any spare cash, I'll be getting mine ISF calibrated. That way I know I'll be very close to seeing what they see in the mastering suite on their £30k monitors. I know once I watched The Last Emperor I was close with my settings. Trev

[@davefilms345]

Hi John great review as always..I'm holding out for the Rocky's for the time being. I would have normally bought this on day one. But I truly believe that this will get a full boxset release later on in the yr including 5&6 also. This way I'm not double dipping.

[@moviecollector5920]

Exactly that happened with Star Trek Dave. In the end, I went for the 1 to 4 box of Star Trek after I'd got the sixth film so don't rule out getting that rather nice Rocky steelbook just in case the opportunity doesn't arise again. John.

[@jeremyj.]

Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦! So glad you did this review on the Rocky movies. I’ve been waiting for the 4k editions to come out for ages because of the resolution needed for projection. I wanted to buy this new 4k boxset out but they left out Rocky 5, balboa, etc. can’t win ‘em all I guess

[@moviecollector5920]

I expect they're doing a Star Trek and in about a year a new box with all six will be released so maybe just get the first film in steelbook form and hang on a while Jeremy. Alternatively, say "sod it", spend the money and to hell with the expense of it all! John.

[@jeremyj.]

@@moviecollector5920 to your point, I should have pick up the Rambo steelbook box set when it was in print. That thing looked great! Now it’ll be 2045 before they re-release 🤣

[@DemonSorcererMiyagi]

Hey, John! Great video again. I've been a bit worried about getting that recent box set because of the supposed issues with some of them, but it seems like the first one is at least worth a buy since I don't have the bluray. And just in time too, with that new Creed film which has gotten me in a big Rocky mood.

[@moviecollector5920]

I saw the trailer to the latest Creed film at the BFI IMAX. It's shot on video though so wasn't up to the standard of genuine IMAX but I'm sure it will still look great on big screens everywhere. I love the original Rocky film so as I already have the Blu-ray that's why I went for the steelbook. Pleased I did too as the 4K may not be much better than the Blu-ray. John.

[@DemonSorcererMiyagi]

@@moviecollector5920 Creed III looked very good at my theater but then again, my theater isn't true IMAX. I don't know how I never ended up with Rocky on 4K but I apparently still only have them from a years old DVD set. I may have to get the bluray collection and get the first movie on 4K, just for that marginal difference.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@DemonSorcererMiyagi It might be tempting to get that steelbook of Rocky and then at least you have a very nice souvenir even if the difference is marginal. I got that box set of blu-rays for a tenner from HMV years ago. An incredible bargain. John.

[@DemonSorcererMiyagi]

@@moviecollector5920 I think that's just what I'll do! Thanks for your help with this decision.

[@ColonelSternlove]

Rocky 1 & 2 are great films - essentially a 4 hour movie for me. The final speech in Rocky 2 “except for my kid being born, this is the greatest night of my life…” Always chokes me up every time. What incredible writing. I may get the Rocky box set … but it needs to come down in price 1st - the blu ray transfer is just so good.

[@moviecollector5920]

I have to admit that I'm not entirely sure the Blu-ray of Rocky might actually be slightly better than the 4K Clark. I don't know, I think the 4K is better but it's a close call. The steelbook is a lovely souvenir of a great film though and that made it worthwhile for me. John.

[@iansmith6166]

I must be one of the very few who never bought any of the Rocky films on VHS nor DVD nor Blu-ray so I'm enjoying the weekly releases of these 4K steelbooks- I've nothing to compare them to! I've also bought the 4k steelbook of Creed 1 & 2 so having something of a boxing film season here.

[@moviecollector5920]

They're all enjoyable Ian so you'll have a good time with the entire series. The Blu-ray is in with the 4K for the first film so give the two a comparison and see what you think. I think it's close. John.

[@MyFireVideos]

Great video! Thank you

[@moviecollector5920]

If you've reviewed Rocky yet then I need to take a look. I'll be interested to know your thoughts but it is the difference between Blu-ray and 4K that I'm particularly focused on because it's seems too close to call for me as to which is actually superior. Apparently, the 4K has a wrong 5.1 soundtrack applied but I didn't notice it was a bit more tinny than the Blu-ray, probably because I was obsessing over the picture quality. John.

[@Juanjo-oi2or]

What a fantastic review, John. It's a pleasure to watch. Waiting for the spanish release of this classic and legendary film Meanwhile, I got the Italian edition of Training Day and looks amazingly great on my LG 65 Oled. Hope your review.

[@moviecollector5920]

I will get Training Day Juanjo but I've got such a backlog here right now that I need to lay off for a while... well, a few days anyway! John.

[@Juanjo-oi2or]

@@moviecollector5920 Take your time, friend.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@Juanjo-oi2or I am heading for the West End of London next week for DUNKIRK and I don't suppose I'll be able to stay out of FOPP where I did see TRAINING DAY on the shelves. Oh dear! John.

[@thedarkknightish]

You're rather like me John! A sucker for a good quality steelbook. Like you I'll invest in the 1st Rocky on 4k but not bothered about the rest. Particularly as I've heard that there are major audio issues with Rocky 2. Great review as usual. Regards Alan from Dublin

[@moviecollector5920]

There are supposed to be audio issues with the first film too Alan but I couldn't hear what the fuss was about. I would have been able to understand if people were complaining because the original mono sound isn't on it but this is a complaint about the 5.1 sound. I have equipment that can knock any of these soundtracks into mono and then it would closely resemble the original sound but I think the complaints are due to the pitch being wrong or something like that. I don't know the film well enough to notice something like that. Not sure I'd spot it on many films actually unless the sound was truly bad which this isn't. John.

[@pauljc26]

I love the Rocky movies and not long got my 4k box set of them all, i have watched Rocky 4 Directors Cut so far and it was great to watch again, now it is onto Rocky and 2 & 3, still have not watched Tenant, i do have it on 4k just have to sit down and watch it

[@moviecollector5920]

When you do finally watch TENET Paul, don't expect to fully comprehend it. Just get the general gist of it and then watch all the extras to get a better understanding. Then watch the film again and it should be one of those 'eureka' moments. John.

[@GrimCellar]

Interesting what you say about the setting up of 4K in the home, John, because I feel it's probably the hardest of all formats to get exactly right. I got a 4K projector over a year ago (Sony in my case) and it is probably not easy for the average viewer to set these sorts of things up (although I guess the average viewer would just be getting a TV anyway). There is the professional calibration route of course, but then if you like going through settings as I do then that this the second option. But pretty much never can a viewer leave a VDU/projector in its default settings and get the best out of what is being watched. Nice review of Rocky - I love the series but I may well just be sticking with the Blu-ray set in this case, especially considering as you say there is a marginal upgrade at absolute best (plus, I'm not sure if you've heard, some people have found a few QC issues with the new Rocky discs, although they may not affect/be noticeable to everyone). Enticing preview of the Tenet thing at the end as well, so I think I'll go watch that too! Paul

[@moviecollector5920]

I think all the screenings of TENET are over now Grim but perhaps the Ronson in the Science Museum still has another to go. It's very good on 4K disc though even if it's not up in the stratosphere with the BFI IMAX which has to be seen - and heard - to be believed... and even so, I still don't quite believe it! This new projector seems a little over complicated but at least it gives me plenty to think about. The UHD550X didn't have so much nonsense in it and produces amazing results. But i'll get to grips with it all. Rocky wasn't exactly the easiest 4K to do a first review with on new equipment. Next I watched the 4K of Jerry Maguire and that may be even more difficult to differentiate to the Blu-ray. Maybe I should just watch TENET again! 4K is complicated though and that's a good thing because video has been more of a pastime than a hobby but with all this messing around it's been more like real film collecting which is certainly a hobby. John.

[@jebo4jc]

I grew up on Rocky IV, so that disc is a must buy for me. Trying to decide how deep to go on the steelbook collection.

[@moviecollector5920]

Well, you've got to get the fourth film as a steelbook Jeremy if that's your favourite. Perhaps wait and get that one first and see how you feel before buying any more. The Blu-rays are very good though so the 4K's may be a little disappointing as a result. John.

[@C4rL72]

I pre ordered 1-4 and took delivery of Rocky 1 last week, in some parts as you say is grainy and abet on par with the Blu-Ray but its the best its going to look or ever has looked. I watched half of it with Sly commentary and its amazing. not the best 4k PQ but ...its Rocky, a must own for any Sly fan and the steelbooks are lush.

[@moviecollector5920]

You've hit the spot there Carl. You should have done the review! John.

[@deanchild9848]

Yes I love Rocky the first one as a kid back when it came out no one wanted to and watch this film sso i went on my own and was blowen away by it. Suddenly everyone who I asked wanted to go see it not got the blue ray and now I am in two minds which version to get. lol Great review

[@moviecollector5920]

Get the 4K steelbook Dean and then whichever you think may look slightly better, you'll still have that special steelbook to cherish. See what you think of it and decide from there what to do about the other films which I think are good enough on standard blu-ray. John.

[@andylikesstuffchannel]

Great review John 👍Rocky is a classic.

[@moviecollector5920]

I keep thinking about all the great films from the 1970's. It really was an amazing time for movies and Rocky is up there with the best of them from that decade. The 1980's weren't bad either... nor the 1990's but things tailed off a little towards the end and I don't think things have been quite so good since then. John.

[@andylikesstuffchannel]

​@@moviecollector5920 yeah totally agree late 90s did tail off a bit then CGI really took over in the 00s and has gone down hill since then

[@littlemanitor]

Great review thank you

[@moviecollector5920]

Thank you Ellis. John.

[@Robert-dv2ot]

LOL that is the Philadelphia Museum of Art! When he said government building I laughed.

[@moviecollector5920]

I also added "whatever it is" as I recall. Philadelphia looks very photogenic. I hope it's not really as rough as it looks though! The makers did a great job with the locations and giving us that seedy, depressed look. Kind of similar to 'Get Carter' in Newcastle in 1971 but that was rough back then for sure. John.

[@markbassett642]

Thanks John - indeed a window into a place in time! I don’t have a 4K set up (yet), nor do I have Amazon prime, so I have yet to see the director's cut of Rocky IV that came out a year or two ago. After the first film, it's my favourite in the series, even though it's so different. Apparently, the director's cut is more restrained/sombre in tone than the theatrical cut. I'm curious to see how Sly has pulled that off given the bombast of the original version. Hoping that the director's cut is included on a blu ray disc as part of the Rocky IV release. Thanks again for another great review.

[@moviecollector5920]

Apparently the alternative version of Rocky IV is on the 4K Mark but I haven't checked that. Now you could get an entry level 4K player to connect to your existing television just so you can play these 4K discs. You don't have to have a 4K telly for them to run, it's just they won't display in 4K (but you wouldn't notice that anyway) and the all-important HDR won't be there so you won't get the more filmic colour gamut. When you next have to get a telly though you'll be able to get a 4K knowing you can re-watch any 4K discs you already have to enjoy them like new. John.

[@markbassett642]

I like that plan, John. I like it a lot.

[@markbassett642]

Update: my son has reminded me that we can play 4K disks through his xbox - hurrah!

[@moviecollector5920]

@@markbassett642 Another comment elsewhere confirmed that the director's cut is only on the 4K so your son does seem to have solved the problem Mark. I hope you enjoy it. John.

[@markbassett642]

Greetings from NZ, John. Well, I've just watched Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago on my son's xBox - it's remarkably fresh. I must have seen the original version ten times at least, though not for a few years. Nonetheless, this felt like the story I know, but richer. The hyperbole remains of course, but there's a great deal more relational focus between Rocky and Adrian, Rocky and Apollo, and Rocky and Drago. Not quite sure how to put it, but there's more of a story in this version. It's like watching a new interpretation of a stage play, but with all the original actors exactly as they were when it was originally performed. Sound mix was appreciably better than the original. Looking forward to watching it in 4K with the HDR eventually! Best, Mark

[@mobey56]

Better late than never to review these classic great films. One of my all-time greatest collections that I have. I did buy the Blu-ray box as well of these films, but I didn’t really see much of a difference to the DVD box set (maybe that’s just me). As for the BFI section, out of all of the films I just enjoyed” interstellar”. Found “tenet” actually boring which is quite surprising as I normally enjoy films, having to do with time travel.

[@moviecollector5920]

I think Rocky has only just come out as a 4K Mobey. There were two previous Blu-ray releases and 'The Heavyweight Collection' box is the second release and therefore the re-masters. Apparently the first masters weren't so impressive to perhaps you have those. Did you see TENET at the BFI IMAX? INTERSTELLAR is being screened again three times and I think the addition of the third show is proving to be a sell out too so it looks like that film is entering timeless status just like 2001 A Space Odyssey in terms of packing 'em in to cinemas in original 70mm format years after the film was released. Quite right too in my opinion. John.

[@jefffan171]

Anyone know if the Rocky IV directors cut that come with the 4K will (or does) include a 1080p Blu Ray counterpart? I don't have a 4k set but would like to have the directors edition. All the pre order material on Zavvi and HMV aren't clear as it just says its a bonus feature? Thank you for any help

[@moviecollector5920]

A few other comments have said that they've watched that fourth film 'Director's Cut' first Martyn so have a look through and maybe ask one of those chaps for a definitive answer. John.

[@FiftyShadesOfDave6603]

Directors cut is on the same 4k uhd disc as theatrical cut. No 1080p counterpart included unfortunately.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@FiftyShadesOfDave6603 Thank you for confirming that David. The solution for anyone who does not have 4K but wants to see the director's cut is to get a 4K player and connect it to their HD projector or telly. John.

[@RoyMurphy1]

Great job John 👍👍....il think il stick with my masterd in 4k blu ray.....and IV heard the sequels are only from a 2k masters....so wonder how they will be looking.... thanks for sharing 👍

[@moviecollector5920]

The steelbook is a lovely souvenir Roy but I really did think the Blu-ray was better until I'd have a good fiddle! John.

[@cp070476]

Just bought Rocky 1-4 on Bluray John from your take on them. Rocky looks really good, Rocky IV not so good. Not watched Rocky 2 or 3 yet. Great films.

[@moviecollector5920]

Rocky 2 has a dupe from Rocky at the start of it so that doesn't look so good but stick with it because thereafter, I think it looks pretty terrific. The first film is best though. John.

[@NiceGuyAidey]

Love these films, bring back great childhood memories, I thought the 4k Looked superb, i watched it in DV on my 77"Oled .... The 3rd film maybe looking the softest and least impressive, I read online the audio issues with Rocky and Rocky 2...

[@moviecollector5920]

The reality is that the first film should come with mono sound Aidey so I suppose it's possible to process the existing tracks into that if anyone's bothered by the apparent slightly higher pitch than the previous blu-ray. I didn't notice a difference but I was concentrating on the image. That Blu-ray is excellent and that's what caused my consternation with the 4K. Very close to call. John.

[@danboy77]

Hi John. Rocky was one of those must buy titles for me on 4k but I still haven’t purchased any of them yet, these release’s similar to The Godfather and Indiana Jones steelbooks are so expensive you just get the film and no extras and no booklet, plus the sound is 16 bit instead of usual 24 bit, just seems steep for what it is , I am a sucker though so will buy eventually 😂

[@moviecollector5920]

I think the Rocky steelbook cost me £25 which doesn't seem too bad to me Danny. I suppose it depends on how much of a fan you are but I don't feel the need to get any of the sequels in 4K... but I may change my mind if I spot a bargain or two before the steelbooks are all sold out. John.

[@Jason-fp7vi]

Hello John, unfortunate to hear the 4K isn't a big leap over the blu ray on this one. Do you have a good way to judge picture quality side by side, or at least in close succession? I'd like to do some 4K vs Blu Ray comparisons but ejecting discs and skipping forward to the same scene is enough time for my mind to forget what I'm comparing. Lol. Thanks for the review my friend

[@moviecollector5920]

When I first looked into all this '4K vs. 2K', which is essentially what it is, I struggled with all the backwards and forwards so had a standard Blu-ray and a 4K player hooked up to different HDMI inputs. That got me used to how things tend to look and what makes the difference so going backwards and forwards now is much easier to spot that difference. It just took some getting used to. Now I'm using a newer video projector model I don't think I'm getting quite the same look to the discs so I'm faffing about a little more all over again but to do accurate reviews, this is what is required. Doesn't mean to say I'm right though but in this case I watched the discs on both video projectors and my telly so pretty thorough. John.

[@noeldillabough]

I just have the dvds, so 4k sounds like a great upgrade. I've heard a lot about the audio on a couple of the disks pitch being off and whatnot, so I'll wait and see

[@moviecollector5920]

Apparently that's true about the sound Noel. I didn't notice a problem but I don't know the film as well as I do some other classics from that era but it sounded good to me. It's not the original mono sound though and I expect that has upset some people and maybe that's how this little possible fault got picked up by someone. John.

[@James_Lo]

I've been going through the Rocky series after having a pretty enjoyable time with Creed 3. I agree that the graininess of this film captures the grit of 70s Philadelphia and the film’s narrative exceptionally. I was let down by the visuals of the final fight but then realised that I was remembering the one from Rocky 2 -which I think might be the best looking sequence in the franchise.

[@moviecollector5920]

I don't think the film stock is the same grainy stock as the rest of the film for that climactic fight in the original film James but I may be wrong. It could be the increased light from the spotlights meant it was just brighter than the rest of it. I need to watch the second film again now! John.

[@James_Lo]

@@moviecollector5920 yeah, most definitely. Doubtful they could afford a change on such a budget.

[@TroyUlysses]

8:55 FYI Tenet is cut in the UK. Offered a 15 cert but was edited to get a 12 cert. If anyone purchases the 4K outside of the UK it is uncut. Must be said, it is a minor edit.

[@moviecollector5920]

It was only Kenneth Branagh kicking his wife for a few seconds that was cut so I think we need to point that out. I'm glad not to have seen it but would I have noticed if I had? Probably not. John.

[@DenkyManner]

Films of this era look great even in 1080p, no wonder it's difficult to tell the difference. The film stock is just soft enough that there's no additional details to discover beyond a certain point, or at least none that changes anything from looking great to looking better

[@moviecollector5920]

It's not the best looking 35mm ever shot, that's for sure, but it was a deliberate look to give it the gritty feel. I never saw the Super 8 print but I think that would have had a more natural appearance because it's film even if the Blu-ray and 4K would undoubtedly have greater definition. 35mm is around the digital equivalent of 6K though so it's no wonder so many film transfers look better than moves shot on video. John.

[@Thecatdrums3]

A huge fan of Rocky 4 & rocky balboa. Excited to see the new creed 3. Whenever the finish the 4ks for Rocky I will happily buy them in a collection but as it’s on the first 4 I don’t mind waiting for the other 2 to get remastered.

[@moviecollector5920]

Given what happened with the Star Trek films I think we're all almost expecting that a six film set will appear in about 12 months time. John.

[@cheekster777]

Thanks John.

[@moviecollector5920]

I really don't know how you do it cheekster!

[@delboy3k1]

Lots of talk on the audio mix on these films...a pitch issue plus no mono track as per the original but is acctually downsampled 5.1. Did you notice anything ? I have all 4 steelbooks on order i think the 4th has the new directors cut. Grain does not bother me but an incorrect master does. Great stuff as always my friend :-)

[@moviecollector5920]

I did play the matrixed four track sound for parts of it Delboy and that was good too. I don't think you'll have any issues with either soundtracks but I am listening through a full THX Ultra system so everything tends to sound bloody good anyway. If there was anything wrong with the soundtrack I didn't notice and if anything I thought it worked very well with the 1976 imagery. John.

[@delboy3k1]

@@moviecollector5920 all i needed to know my friend thankyou and just ordered the cursed collection from amazon at 9.99 perfect thankyou :-)

[@moviecollector5920]

@@delboy3k1 Now that seems like a very good price for Cursed Films. I think I can make out that it's a tenner in FOPP. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. John.

[@grindhousefan80]

I own the 40th anniversary blu ray pack and I'm very happy with its quality. I have seen that they put out a 4k pack of 4 movies including the new cut of Rocky 4 that was recently released, but its disappointing that it doesn't come with part 5 and Balboa.

[@moviecollector5920]

I expect a new box set with all six films will be available in about a year Sean. Just like Star Trek I suppose. John.

[@jessechristensen6028]

Now for me the 70’s was the greatest decade for popular music and hifi. But for film I don’t know it’s a lesser decade for me personally. I’m more of a 80’s or 90’s guy when it comes to decades of cinema, but there is a lot of nostalgia speaking here. Also I would lean more to the 40’s or 50’s for what would be the objective best decades of cinema. But that just my opinion.

[@moviecollector5920]

And we're all entitled to opinions Jesse. I was getting concerned that no one was going to disagree with me so thank you for that. I think 1978 may be the best single year for movies but I haven't made a scientific study of it. John.

[@benpascall4297]

For me, the difference was immediate John. It’s a shame you can’t watch in Dolby Vision - I generally find that on average the picture quality is 5% better with DV switched on.

[@moviecollector5920]

Dolby Vision does mean watching on a telly though Ben so that rules it out for me. I've never been much of a telly person, always all about projection. I'm glad it gives a definite perceptible difference though because it's so close on all my displays that I can't decide for sure which is best. John.

[@jedlomax100]

Very curious this small difference with the blu-ray. Most good players upscale the image too and there is often very little difference bar the HDR grading. All 6 Rocky films can be bought on the blu ray set for 18 Euros here. The 4 film 4K set is 70!

[@moviecollector5920]

I got that box of six for a tenner from HMV years ago Stu. What a bargain. I did test all this 4K vs. 2K (which is pretty much what Blu-ray is) malarkey a couple of years ago and even switching from a standard Blu-ray player to a 4K the difference seemed imperceptible to me most of the time but perhaps there's something going on in these 4K labelled projectors that means the 4K image isn't quite as good as it would be with a cinema standard 4K projector. It's even more difficult to see a difference on a telly though so if there is any real difference I suspect it's marginal at best. Basically, if the Blu-ray comes from the same 4K master as the 4K disc then the difference between the two is HDR. On this occasion even that didn't seem to matter so much. John.

[@PERFECTDARK10]

The beginning of Tenet was amazing and then….. it just lingered. I think this movie was mainly about Denzel Washington’s son working on his acting. I think the film was so confusing because the actors seemed exhausted and began to slack on their acting. Denzel son seemed like he didn’t know rather he wants to act like Denzel or show people who he was as an actor 😅

[@moviecollector5920]

I thought he played it perfectly. It was that sort of a film and it needed something different from the leads. Maybe one day I'll actually work out exactly what everything was all about and why but without a sequel I think that's unlikely. I'll have to have a word with Mr. Nolan. To see it in the exhibition format it was made for was a bit of a revelation and I hope I get the chance to see that same print again one day. Sheer perfection. John.

[@JunkerDC]

I saw Tenet in 2 different 2k imax digital theaters one was 50 feet tall and the other was 30 feet tall both were Impressive. I would have like to see the 15/70 but there are almost no theater in the US have that anymore I think the cloest one is 8 to 10 hours away I saw one film in 15/70 and it was the dark night rises and it was amazing we use to have 2 theaters around 3 hours away but they converted them to 2k in the 2000's. I went too 2 laser imaxs and only 1 was realy good the other had a good picture but low sound. The last one I went to was around 4 hours away and it was a dome it was laser and had a bad picture and ok sound. If i ever get the money im going to Bfi for sure. You shold try 4dx it kinda of cool moving seats and other things

[@moviecollector5920]

I expect I did get to experience 4DX at Futuroscope in the early 1990's because they had everything that was coming at the time. I do recall the moving seats for one particular film/ride we saw where we ended up in a single seater race car going through a French village. That was a bit scary. But there were lots of others and I like them as occasional novelties, which is how I like 3D too. As for all these IMAX theatres that are no longer screening genuine IMAX, it has to be down to money, or rather the lack of. Fortunately, there are two genuine IMAX cinemas in central London and the second one, the Ronson in the Science Museum, is also screening all the Nolan IMAX films. I think they have TENET on tomorrow. John.

[@robertrobitaille320]

Nice Imax theater youbhave in your city. Received the 4k set. Much thow the steelbook is nice.

[@moviecollector5920]

I'll be back to that glass palace IMAX at the end of next week Robert. Exciting times here at the moment and will be until the release of OPPENHEIMER which should be an amazing experience there by the look of it. John.

[@danhardcastle]

I've been prevaricating on whether to upgrade from my blu-ray. Still not sure which means "wait for a discount". Thanks anyway, John!

[@moviecollector5920]

It's a difficult one Dan because the Blu-ray is so good. But the steelbook is rather nice so I'm pleased I got it. John.

[@neatodd]

I don't own a TV let alone a projector but your reviews make me want to buy a 4K TV and player just to see what I'm missing. I think it must be an expensive hobby!

[@moviecollector5920]

I suppose it is expensive Solon but not compared to what we had to do 30 and 40 years ago to get cinematic quality in the home. Don't mess about with a telly though if you do finally jump in - get a video projector instead. Perhaps start with a standard high definition projector for a couple of hundred pounds and enjoy some great Blu-rays. Some of them really are great too and better than most 4K's. John.

[@neatodd]

@@moviecollector5920 Thanks for that. By the way, I see on the Warner KZbin channel that 'Cool Hand Luke' is on 4K now - I remember seeing that and I thought it was great.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@neatodd At least Warner Bros. got the word out. Sometimes they have a "failure to communicate"! I haven't seen Cool Hand Luke for many years so I expect that will be another twenty smackers up the pictures! John.

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

@Movie Collector what new Optomo do you have, if I may ask? It’s 4K HDR and and no Dolby Vision I understand from your video?

[@moviecollector5920]

I don't think anyone offers a video projector with Dolby Vision yet Pieter. That wouldn't sway me either way anyway but the model is UHZ50. It's an impressive little machine with impressive definition. A miniature IMAX perhaps! John.

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

@@moviecollector5920 thanks a lot for your reply. Used to have rhe excellent Optomo Themescene way back in the early 2000’s. Then kids, a different household and house, kids University and now time, space and money again to maybe again invest in one soon.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@pieterbalk-ht7kq We all should take up bank robbery to fund this hobby Pieter!

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

@@moviecollector5920 yes, just saw the price. That is about €900 more than my Themescene back then. Inflation I guess😄😉 and WITHOUT HdMI cable ha ha ha ha May I ask why you opted for the 50 instead of the €1000 cheaper 45? Propably research and the 50 has better specs?

[@moviecollector5920]

@@pieterbalk-ht7kq I looked at all the current video projectors up to about £4,5K and this one seemed to look the best bet on paper. Whether or not it is in reality I suppose I'll never know but it is rather impressive. A little more complicated than the UHD550X though so I'm having to learn all over again.

[@alaindelacourt9030]

salut bonne revue sur se film et belle vidèo comme toujour bien cool

[@moviecollector5920]

Merci Alain! John.

[@garyturley2435]

How's the audio ???. Just pre order the 3 and 4 musketeers on 4k vintage classics going 4k out 24 April here in uk 🇬🇧 😀

[@moviecollector5920]

It's not the original mono sound Gary so I think that's possibly upset some people but I thought the sound suited the film. It's not over the top surround so it won't deter if you do get it. As for the Three and Four Museketeers, I loved those films when I saw them at the cinema as a child. I do have the first half an hour of the first film on Super 8 somewhere so I should dig that out and have another look for the first time in years. John

[@Celestialrob]

So much stuff in this one John. The seventies is certainly my vote for the best decade of movies - can of worms indeed. I still have not seen Tenet as I'm waiting for the HT rebuild. As for the Rocky franchise. Loved the first film, but ye gods the rest is a bunch of wondrous mediocrity IMHO. last night we watched the 4K Atmos version of "Guns of Navarone". I'd recommend you reviewing it as it's an interesting one from both a visual and aural perspective. Grain haters gonna hate. Me, I loved it. Stay well and watch great movies! Rob

[@moviecollector5920]

I really should get The Guns Of Navarone Rob. So many movies, so little time... even less money! As for TENET, why on earth didn't you fly over to see it at the BFI IMAX? I thought you were a film enthusiast. Not even a home cinema to call your own! What on earth is going on?!? Keep well though and best wishes to you both... and the llamas. John.

[@Celestialrob]

@@moviecollector5920 I'm definitely letting the team down at the moment. Good news is that contractors will be gone some time next week. I did once travel to another country to see a movie - Belgium. Suitably shamed and racked with guilt I will slink back in front of our LG OLED which I have to say is very nice, as far as a TV can be. Your next mission, should you choose to accept it.... join Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and David Niven to sort out the pesky Germans at Navarone. This reply will self destruct in.....

[@moviecollector5920]

@@Celestialrob Great comment Rob. We'll let you off all your other misdemeanors at the moment then. You'll have to keep me updated on progress with the cinema though.

[@lemonysnick5171]

You actually need a diagram to understand Tenet. I saw a visual that someone made and the movie started to make a little more sense. I don't think the time concepts explored in the film come across very well in the film medium unfortunately. They don't resonate as well as something like dreams within dreams from Inception.

[@moviecollector5920]

I need to give Inception another try because I couldn't fathom that one either when it was first released but now I enjoy the challenge of working out what the bloody hell some films are all about. I think TENET is the daddy of them all. But it has to be seen in genuine IMAX to fully appreciate it. Accept no substitute! Not even the faux IMAX twin video projectors with laser lamp sources. John.

[@jamesoneill5810]

Just watched Rocky Balboa on 4k and l must admit l like it more now as I've gotten older John Rocky IV is my favourite 😍

[@moviecollector5920]

I too prefer the sequels now I'm older. I still think there's only one great film though but that's to be expected I suppose. John.

[@nagoprak]

Thanks a lot for this wow 😍 review 😌..... from a Sylvester Stallone fan ......from a late 80s Kid :)

[@moviecollector5920]

One of Sly's best films for sure... and he's been in quite a few greats over the years. I think Cliffhanger is my favourite but Rocky might just pip it. John.

[@nagoprak]

​@@moviecollector5920 Thanks 👍 John reply too 👏 98% Stallone films are based on human emotions and values, Blended with some wow cinematic action. Hope he doesn't join the bandwagon of VFX Superheroes who have become a kind of - overdose. Any reviews of Stallone's Tulsa King, I have read that is also very good 😎 transition from big screen to OTT

[@moviecollector5920]

@@nagoprak Does Judge Dredd apply as a superhero? I haven't seen Tulsa King but I will do eventually. I gave up on cinema around 2006 as the image quality had sunk so low that I could no longer see the point but there have been exceptions thanks to the BFI IMAX and occasional 70mm shows at places like the Leicester Square Odeon. John.

[@garyharper2943]

Think I’ll stick with the Blu-ray set. Last pick up for me The Green Mile, a great movie and I’ve heard an excellent 4K. I have a question are you letting your Blu-ray player or your new projector handle the tone mapping?

[@moviecollector5920]

Tone mapping Gary? I don't know about that but I've been going through all the settings on the projector which is akin to using Photoshop so a little overly complicated. The one thing is lacks is 'curves' which really would enable me to play and maximize the accuracy of how a film should look. John.

[@garyharper2943]

@@moviecollector5920 sometimes I have to quit tweaking and just enjoy!

[@jessechristensen6028]

You may want to get four for that directors cut which looks amazing.

[@moviecollector5920]

I do enjoy them all Jesse, but there's only one that I think is a great film. The Blu-rays are good enough and I rarely look at extended versions of films anyway. Thanks for the pointer though. John.

[@timothymathetes]

Really interesting stuff.

[@moviecollector5920]

Thanks Timothy.

[@Mowglibaloo2]

I just purchased the whole set in BluRay for $25 Canadian last year. I waited as long as I could. I will not be upgrading to the 4k.

[@moviecollector5920]

It might be an idea to look at the steelbook for the first film just as I did Mowgli because, let's face it, that one's in a league of its own. But the Blu-ray is so damned good, why bother. I have got the 4K looking much better now though and there is quite a noticeable superiority. John.

[@bioshock6935]

Rocky franches are my favourite films i would love to have all the 4k steelbooks of them

[@moviecollector5920]

Maybe try to buy them one at a time just in case you feel the quality of the 4K is not quite what you expect after all the very good Blu-ray releases. The first one is a good place to start though simply because it's the first and the best. Other opinions are available! John.

[@bioshock6935]

@@moviecollector5920 rocky 4 is the best for me then 2,1,3,6, and 5 being the worst but 6 i liked nice story reminiscing back so it a tie with rocky 3 being in 4th place together

[@moviecollector5920]

@@bioshock6935 I like 'em all but nothing will ever match up to the original. Sequels are always follow-ups and nothing beats meeting great characters that first time.

[@C4rL72]

Ive just took delivery of 2 and 3 in the steelbook range, looks awesome, not had chance to play them yet. ( are you on Twitter John ? )

[@moviecollector5920]

I'm not on Twitter Carl but I am on FaceAche or if you want to drop me an email ...

[@C4rL72]

@@moviecollector5920 Emailed :)

[@moviecollector5920]

@@C4rL72 Got it and just replied.

[@garyturley2435]

cant wait for my cool hand luke 4k steebook and star trek the next generation 4k film box set both on pre

[@moviecollector5920]

I know someone who has Star Trek X on 35mm and VII on Super 8 Gary. I suppose the 4K releases would make for a good video as a result. John.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Rocky is a good movie series . Probably good in 4k

[@moviecollector5920]

It was excellent in Blu-ray Craig and I think that's the problem. It the re-mastered Blu-rays hadn't have been issued a few years ago these 4K releases would have been much more special. John.

[@Boyer316]

I was going to buy the new discs but I was put off by the fact that they're not scans of the OCN and just remasters of the existing transfers which to me, seems utterly lazy.

[@moviecollector5920]

I thought the Blu-ray releases in that box set were from 4K cine transfers Andy. Certainly the 4K of Rocky looks like a transfer from the original camera negative but if it's not then it's hard to imagine how it could look much better. It probably takes thousands of manhours to prepare a two hour film for release as a 4K UHD. I suppose much of the work will be used to create masters for other formats but whatever the case, it is a massive investment to get a film out for us to purchase for £20 or £25 in this steelbook guise. It's probably not quite as lazy as you're thinking. John.

[@Boyer316]

@@moviecollector5920 AVForums make a point of the fact that it says they're remastered but if they're based off of 4K transfers then it's a bit misleading to put it on your packaging, a strange decision.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@Boyer316 It's possible to do a 4K cine transfer of a Super 8 film so it's true what they're saying Andy. Rocky does look like it's come from the negative to me though. Very good definition but then again, the Blu-ray has very good definition. John.

[@nostalgia3403]

To Kill A Mockingbird [60th Anniversary Edition] [4K Ultra HD] [1962] [Blu-ray] [2022] [Region Free] £14.10 @ Amazon

[@moviecollector5920]

Thanks for that Nostalgia. It's £19.99 from HMV but you'll be supporting a physical shop that will then stand a chance of surviving rather than some faceless business that doesn't care a stuff about anything other than profit and taking over the world!!! Anyway, here's the link: hmv.com/store/film-tv/4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray/to-kill-a-mockingbird-(1)

[@jnicholls21]

I only got around to watching Rocky for the first time recently. Genuinely no idea what the fuss is about! I guess it would help if you saw it when it was released originally, or at least as a child. It bored me and just felt completely unbelievable. And Rocky wasn't even particularly likeable.

[@moviecollector5920]

I expect there are others who feel very much the same James but we're all different. I think what most of us like about this film is the human story. If you do'n't feel invested with the characters then it isn't going to work. I expect most people do invest in the characters and get wrapped up in the whole thing though. John.

[@coldplayplayer15]

A lot of American movies in the '70s were purposely grainy or as the filmmakers called it "realistic"

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

I wonder if 80s movie Red Heat was intended that way. I've watched the DVD of that and that version is grainy. Not sure if there's a Blu Ray or 4K.

[@moviecollector5920]

Film makers still opt for grainy film stock occasionally today but there was a lot more of it in the 70's. Klute from 1970 is probably the grainiest I can recall but it almost completes the movie which wouldn't be the same if it was a fine grain. Red Heat is out in 4K Jeff. I don't have that one but I do have the PAL LaserDisc and I think I recall that one being a bit grainy but entirely suitable. John.

[@jessechristensen6028]

Now Tennet I think is a good film but I have two issues that would prevent me from owning it that being the sound mix is awful and the domestic abuse I just couldn’t watch. As a man I just wanted to sick that guy out for it. Also in that imax screening was the sound mix any better than the disc? Cause I went to see it in a normal theater and it was bad.

[@moviecollector5920]

The sound on TENET is fabulous. Many people report issues with incoherent dialogue but the BFI IMAX system doesn't suffer from that and neither does my THX Ultra at home. It's possible there is some lack of clarity when the characters are talking through their breathers but I still don't struggle with that. It's an odd one but might be down to some sound systems dealing with it better than others. That domestic abuse scene had a few seconds cut for the UK release to ensure a 12 certification at a time when audience needed to be maximized due to the lack of patrons during the worst of the pandemic so that worked out quite well. Years ago it was quite normal to see that sort of thing in films. Terrible really. John.

[@jessechristensen6028]

Well the real problem I had for the abuse see was not the slapping (which is awful) it was the putting his foot to her face that pushed me over. I do wonder on the imax showing you just went to was it reduced and same with home media release in the UK or was it left there for disc and imax release?

[@moviecollector5920]

@@jessechristensen6028 I don't recall ever seeing that Jesse, thankfully. The cuts were to get a British Board of Film Classification of 12 for theatrical release. That was important because a 15 would have reduced the potential audience further at a difficult time. Many of us here wouldn't go near a cinema because we all knew the virus was spreading in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. And that first strain was actually quite nasty and nothing like the Omicron variants which have sorted the world out for us. John.

[@Juanjo-oi2or]

Sorry, I meant to write waiting for your review.

[@moviecollector5920]

No problemo. I got the gist of what you were saying. John.

[@LennyNero2019]

I also struggle to get ANY UHD disc to look as good, as Blu-ray counterpart, if it was a recent release from the same master. I'm buying all of Rocky's for steelbooks, but I long ago became disenchanted with so called 4K. I rather like the higher resolution, but I'd like to have it without HDR, which is like artificial food flavoring or sweeteners, instead of real sugar, and especially without the 'color correction', that makes movies like Training Day, The Matrix, and Lord of the Rings look like they never ever did. So every 4K is 'guilty of being bad' for me, until proven otherwise, and I've stopped buying them just for the dubious aspects of upgrade.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

For being captured from a film movie, I like The Patriot 4K.

[@moviecollector5920]

There's a simple solution there Lenny and that's to turn off HDR on your 4K player. It's more likely something is being lost in the translation though because 4K is better than Blu-ray due to the HDR which makes the video look more like film. The colour gamut of film is superior to video and therefore developing HDR has given the film makers the same colour range - and possibly more at times - of film. There are 4K players available where it is possibly to adjust the HDR output so I plan to get one of those soon. It might be worthwhile still purchasing the 4K of films you really like just so you'll have them when you get all this sorted out. I'm going through a bit of a similar process (yet again!) due to getting another 4K video projector. It's a right ol' pain in the backside but I'll get it sorted eventually. John.

[@LennyNero2019]

@@moviecollector5920 Thank you for a sound advice, I did buy most of the major titles and franchises in 4k already, just was disappointed with many of them. I do need to buy a better player, plus try it on a bigger OLED screen, but I was never a fan of those 'theater mode' presets on various TVs, and that's what I'm seeing with HDR now. Maybe I got used to the brighter, more saturated picture of DVDs and BDs over the last 20 years. 😁

[@moviecollector5920]

@@LennyNero2019 There have been exceptions but in the main the 4K discs replicate how the films appeared in cinemas when originally released. DVD was usually transfers from low contrast prints and I expect most Blu-rays were up until quite recently. Basically, our home screens couldn't cope with the superior density of film until the recent advancements in home presentation technology. It took me quite a while to get 4K sorted out when we first got it over five years ago and I'm having to play all over again now with the new projector. I play and play and play until I'm sure I've got things right and that's the best advice I think I can give anyone. John.

[@SkyShazad]

KNOCK OUT VIDEO SIR

[@moviecollector5920]

Good one Sky!

[@chrisburns7979]

good video audio issues lets this down

[@moviecollector5920]

Didn't notice them here Chris. Should have been mono I suppose but the stereo worked well as far as I'm concerned but I can understand some will be upset it's not the original mono sound. John.

[@chrisburns7979]

@Movie Collector yeah that but its worse on rocky 2 they lowered the pitch

[@moviecollector5920]

@@chrisburns7979 How did anyone notice Chris?

[@chrisburns7979]

@@moviecollector5920 they compared it to the blu ray and noticed the 4k sounds like rocky has a cold

[@moviecollector5920]

@@chrisburns7979 I should have listened to the Bu-ray more closely but I was concentrating on image by that point and struggling with it too.

[@MonkeyspankO]

Iconic motion picture. Unfortunately never liked, not then, not now. The whole concept of men beating eachother to a pulp for entertainment seems vulgar to say the least. An industry, if you can call it that, full of psychos. TBI chicken and egg perhaps? One of the main reasons I didn't pursue it, after spending several years in that space. No gentlemanly warrior ethos anywhere in sight. Still, makes for good cinema I suppose.

[@moviecollector5920]

It's not really about the boxing though but I understand what you're saying. Boxing is ridiculous and I'm not interested in any of it these days but years ago I always used to know who the champions of each weight were. What I really like about this film is the relationships. I think Talia Shire is absolutely brilliant and she's the glue that holds it all together. Others may disagree though. John.

[@MonkeyspankO]

@@moviecollector5920 Can't argue with you there. Talia Shire is spectacular, as is Burt Young (or maybe I'm getting my sequels confused). The family and class aspects are the strongest parts. The footage around town is also very effective, with the iconic sprint. Its a film that is easy to recommend, apart from the subject matter.

[@moviecollector5920]

@@MonkeyspankO Now you're making me feel like watching the damned film all over again! Stop it! John.

[@MonkeyspankO]

@@moviecollector5920 😅 guilty!

[@danielspencer6174]

I did not enjoy Rocky 1 it was dead .

[@moviecollector5920]

It's not that bad Daniel but none of them come up to the heights of the first film so I can understand you not liking the follow up. John.