The Abyss, True Lies, & Aliens 4K UHD Blu-ray Review Roundup | What Did James Cameron Do?

[@JeffRauseo]

Enter to win all 3 of these movies on Digital 4K when you sign-up for my email list: bit.ly/JeffEmails **Active email subscribers are automatically entered to the drawing. Thank you!**

[@neo_bellic]

is this limited to US region?

[@JeffRauseo]

@@neo_bellicthe codes are North American codes so they’d probably only work here

[@DanPyjamas]

Shame

[@propermonkey]

Maybe works with VPN

[@KyleJett]

Jeff, is The Terminator 4k coming?? It's the 40th anniversary!

[@EleaticStranger]

My god, that shot of Arnold at 6:25 is absolutely horrifying. It looks more like a Tom Savini creation that's about to get its head ripped off by Jason. I hate it.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

The 4k disc looks way better. This youtuber posted the old digital 4k screenshots. He rushed this video

[@totalprocall6894]

@@ps5andstuffhereIt's the exact same on 4k disc...it's the same master just at a higher bitrate. Bitrate starvation isn't what is making arnold look like wax in that 4k transfer.

[@EleaticStranger]

@@ps5andstuffhere hmm, interesting! I love True Lies, and I was hoping this would be a good release.

[@nacthenud]

@@totalprocall6894seek out the comparison screenshot between the digital streaming versions and the 4K disc for that shot. You’re objectively incorrect - the 4K disc looks much better and the screenshot in the video is misleading.

[@frenchbaguetteoui]

@@nacthenud lol

[@rinzlur-k6m]

I feel because of Avatar, Cameron has become obsessed with digitizing his older films, which don’t look good at all in that format since they weren’t designed to be like Avatar.

[@suburban-vampire]

He got George Lucas Syndrome LOL

[@wright96d]

The honest truth is he’s always had an obsession with wanting to remove the grain from his movies. Even going back to the days of laserdisc. The first LD of the Aliens special edition was notorious for being garbage due to, in part, his (video transfer) ineptitude and tinkering.

[@KeybladeMasterAndy]

Facts. Though, I still enjoyed T2 3D for what it was.

[@user-bj1mx2ip1c]

That was great@@KeybladeMasterAndy the theater version made the movie new again..3d was cool

[@user-bj1mx2ip1c]

​@@wright96di never liked film grain...when predator on blubray got rid of all that film grain I thought it looked wayyy realer and cooler

[@bangslamwham88]

The changes in those 4K transfers are reflective of Cameron's disdain for film photography.

[@paulglover6525]

Ah he was looking through the lens when these films were shot on film. The only comparisons to be made is from the original negatives (Which we have not seen) to the new transfers.

[@jamied1579]

😂🤣😆 Cry harder.

[@cairnex4473]

@@jamied1579 be less of a douchsack.

[@Tensaku]

He actually says in the Aliens commentary, that he has always disliked how grainy the film stock was. But it was the only film stock available at the time, that would allow he to get the shots he wanted.

[@Sheoloch]

@@jamied1579Eat shit harder.

[@emilholmgrenmusic]

I'm glad that "The Abyss" is the "best" of the three, as I've been waiting for a non-letterboxed release since the Special Edition DVD (and later also laserdisc).

[@kthx1138]

Uh, it's ketterboxed (correctly, to honor its original 2.35:1 1989 theatrical presentation).

[@emilholmgrenmusic]

@@kthx1138 You know what I mean - it's not a 4:3 letterbox presentation.

[@briantanner5478]

The problem is our definition of "better" isn't the same as the filmmaker's. Mr. Cameron, no algorithm is capable of conjuring authentic information into those frames that wasn't already there. You can't fool the human eye.

[@irishlarper6774]

Jimbo didn't even bother to have Aliens rescanned at 4k. Not a serious "filmmaker"

[@GanymedeXD]

@@irishlarper6774Yeah … and you are the one to judge this!

[@irishlarper6774]

@@GanymedeXD I am because apparently I have a better understanding of how film should be treated than the king of the world

[@The.Crawling.Chaos.]

Remastering a movie in 4K because Highest resolution so you can see all the details just to scrub the details out of each image is not only a waste of time but also a total clown fiesta. I got The Abyss special edition in a HDTV copy that looks better than the official 4K. And I got a True Lies 35mm bootleg that looks better. GG James, you went full Lucas!

[@hannahgibbons7436]

Bollocks. The 4k of the abyss is amazing

[@The.Crawling.Chaos.]

@@hannahgibbons7436 You need glasses!

[@Durwood71]

@@The.Crawling.Chaos. He's right, though, _The Abyss_ 4K is phenomenal. The film has never looked better.

[@ryans413]

Really I don’t have an issue with that Aliens in 4K looked amazing on my OLED. Not having the film grain wasn’t even a issue so I’d say more films should use DNR

[@sprayarm]

True Lies and Abyss were never even released on anamorphic DVD.. they were just Letterbox with hard-encoded black bars on the sides. Been waiting for these for decades. Both of them are on order!

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

This was the biggest reason for me to upgrade. I own over 200 DVDs, and somehow, True Lies was one of only two that weren't anamorphic. I feel like even a "bad" 4K Blu-ray is still an upgrade over that.

[@Gshiznit74]

We were lucky enough in NZ to get an anamorphic version of true lies which I promptly purchased even after owning the zone 1 version for ages

[@ricahrdb]

We have basically never had a proper HT release of both these films ever. Specifically the The Abyss DVD was very disappointing: such an extensive set of extras but no anamorphic transfer.

[@paul987]

Non-anamorphic dvds don't have hard coded black bars on the sides. They have hard coded black bars on the top and bottom. The black bars on the sides are added by your tv when it is fed a 4:3 image.

[@YellowfinGrouper]

The Abyss DVD was the first I ever bought.

[@xXHERETIC66Xx]

I feel like nowadays cameron seems more in love with technology than filmaking. I havent seen the abyss since vhs so im curious

[@JeffRauseo]

I think that’s a fact. He hasn’t made a good movie (in my eyes) since Titanic. The whole Avatar series is super generic storytelling with very cool technology. He’s like a demo reel on a TV at Best Buy at this point.

[@xXHERETIC66Xx]

@filmsathome kind of ironic from the guy who made terminator 😆

[@timramich]

He may be in love with technology, but he seems to have absolutely zero clue how it works. There need to be legal protections that put stuff into public domain much sooner than 100 years. Perhaps maybe 10 years. All master content turned over to a national archive after 10 year and open to public use for free. If these "artists" are really making the stuff for us, then that should be no problem. If they are making content for their own ego, it should remain unpublished.

[@VFRZen]

I’m jazzed for my copy of The Abyss to arrive. I think I’ll keep my Alien Quadrilogy BluRay pack and True Lies is disappointing since there is nothing apart from that crummy DVD. I hope Kino Lorber or Arrow get the rights to do a new OCN transfer of The Terminator.

[@jameslacey5474]

@@JeffRauseo I feel the same way, I have the first Avatar on Blu=Ray but never watch it and was extremely bored by the second one. I'm not even interested in any upcoming films in the series at this point.

[@stevemuzak8526]

I like the fact that you displayed the greatest movie ever made: The Room.

[@SamLovesMovies25]

I think he is displaying his copy because Tommy signed it (but yes, I like that movie too and I also have a Blu Ray signed for me by Tommy lol :p)

[@JeffRauseo]

Signed by Tommy! From way back in 2017 - he sent underwear with it too! 😂

[@dicksi12345]

I have a signed copy from him too! Met him twice haha

[@dewshbag16]

@@JeffRauseo used underwear?

[@daviddennen7479]

​@@dewshbag16eww I wanna know now😂

[@tommyricknell2829]

Strange that we will follow a new trend were fan restorations are becoming the norm, just as the de-specialized of Star Wars. Just waiting for 35mm scans of True Lies, Aliens and applying that Atmos track for the definitive version

[@The.Crawling.Chaos.]

There is a already a 35mm Bootleg of True Lies. It's been out for a few years at least. I got it. Looks great.

[@tommyricknell2829]

​@@The.Crawling.Chaos. Oh nice! Gonna try find it, and apply that Atmos mix

[@ImperialCaleb]

@@The.Crawling.Chaos. How embarrassing that bootlegs end up being the better versions of certain films, big ones too

[@dirkdiggler2379]

@@The.Crawling.Chaos. can you share a link?

[@GanymedeXD]

@@The.Crawling.Chaos.Great? It was not even shot on regular 35mm … the reason a direct transfer looks shitty as well! If you like this … stay with VHS!

[@requiett]

It's hilarious that the definitive release of True Lies has been the D-VHS version since the early 2000s.

[@totalprocall6894]

It still is.

[@jonathannoble9465]

Not on a 4k TV though

[@SmokeyPSD]

Would still take it over this release@@jonathannoble9465

[@suburban-vampire]

"THE BRIDGE IS OUUUUT!"

[@jon4715]

@@totalprocall6894Sad truth.

[@Ellimof]

I saw the Abyss re-release in theaters a few months ago, and it looked and sounded excellent. If the 4K UHD comes close to that, I’ll be happy.

[@JeffRauseo]

It’s close to that from what I’ve heard. It’s the highlight of these three for sure.

[@stevenmackay8053]

Same. That re-release was f'n amazing.

[@andys8483]

I wish I got to see The Abyss on a cinema screen. The re-release never came here to the UK. I have even had to preorder the US bluray release as it's not getting released over here 😠

[@hannahgibbons7436]

@@andys8483I got it and it’s amazing

[@ChristianKrogh-Denmark]

Is it true, that the new 4K-release they showed in theaters (which I assume is the same on the new 4K-Disc) is even LONGER than the previous Special Edition of Abyss? I think I read somewhere, that this new 4K version has even more new special edition footage put into it, than ever before???

[@TomGur147]

Only really care for Aliens and I was hoping for a much more faithful and filmic transfer. It just saddens me and dampens any hope I had for T2 getting a great transfer. As you said he could’ve done so much better.

[@JeffRauseo]

I think Aliens is still solid. But Alien is a lot better. For sure.

[@nicholassutcliffe7173]

Have a look at the reviews done by Bill at Digital Bits. He gives the image an A for Aliens. Other reviewers think it's reference quality. All valid opinions. And apparently True Lies was the first to be upgraded through this new process so they got steadily better at it by the time they got to Aliens/Titanic. And i don't think any were subject to DNR. Cameron wouldn't use that technique

[@abrahamhernandez8506]

@@nicholassutcliffe7173 And that’s the thing filmsathome is mistaking DNR as the old way where it scrubs out detail and leaves a nasty waxy appearance. In True Lies it can rear its ugly head but Abyss and especially Aliens the DNR process is not your old style and it removes grain but keeps detail. The grain is very fine and stable and has no warping or haloing or ringing of the picture. It’s really sharp and in some cases it can look oversharpened but not DNR where detail is scrubbed away that is pure BS as I watched close up of Ripleys face and see detail that the Blu-ray is blurry. Methinks he is appeasing those haters so he don’t get a bad reputation. But in the process just perpetuated a common myth of DNR. The DNR with AI assistance is not the same as old DNR being used as a broad stroke of robbing detail and causing a wax like appearance. At least be honest instead of appealing to the haters.🤦‍♂️

[@TomGur147]

@@nicholassutcliffe7173 I read the reviews there and it’s in those reviews where he says the image looks processed and perhaps too modern and that they will divide opinion. Despite that he can’t fault the image however for me if it doesn’t look or feel like watching a film print I know I will be disappointed. I will hold onto my actual thoughts until I’ve seen it

[@nicholassutcliffe7173]

@TomGur147 yep, too modern for sure but its not DNR like the notorious Predator blu-ray or the botched T2 4K that used the 3D version

[@search_eternal]

Just a FYI. True Lies had a HD (1080i) release on D-VHS back in 2003. D-VHS/D-Theater was a HD format that came out in 2002 and ended in 2004.

[@tracegage3505]

As soon as I heard the two letters “ai” all 3 of these are a no buy😭😭😭 why does Cameron want his movies looking like this? Thanks for saving me money Jeff

[@paulglover6525]

See them for yourself.

[@JeffRauseo]

I still think you should watch them. It’s AI, but it’s advanced stuff. Personally it doesn’t bug me too much, and most people won’t care.

[@Pushateetee83]

Abyss looks incredible. Don’t let these buzz words scare you.

[@xsx1113]

@@Pushateetee83 "AI" isn't a buzzword, but a real technology that James Cameron is using to retroactively destroy his films.

[@ryans413]

Sad because all 3 looked really good I’m happy

[@Kennethmarchant9705]

Hopefully in the future, Kino Lorber will proberly a much better job with remastered all James Cameron's films.

[@hanshotfirst1138]

He has final approval over the transfers, so not while he’s still alive.

[@moomcmoosson1992]

Does Kino even do remasters? As far as i know they get the 4K masters from the studio and only do the encoding.

[@tuc0339]

KL has rights to these, what?

[@hanshotfirst1138]

@@tuc0339 No, he just wishes they did.

[@MarkFoster321789]

It will never happen I am sorry to say. Disney are keeping their 20th Century Pictures properties - including those of Cameron’s who has the final word - under a tight leash. However with Sony who have a keen interest in owning The Mouse House’s home distribution division that could all change…but don’t get your high hopes on that.

[@HeroesReforged]

I'll never forget when the HD stream of TRUE LIES, on Peacock, was in a 3:1 aspect ratio. I dunno what goon caused that to happen, but my god.

[@JeffRauseo]

Ouch! That hurts my eyes to even think about.

[@Garasky]

A month ago I was about to stream True Lies on Peacock for my gf who's never seen the film before. I turned it off immediately in shoooock

[@SmokeyPSD]

I love James Cameron, as a filmmaker and his films but these releases are just awful, dangerous decisions. Potentially setting back film preservation and releases if this starts a trend.

[@paulglover6525]

What did these transfers look like to you?

[@ScrimpBoat]

@@paulglover6525waxy… True Lies especially. The abyss is more of a dimly lit film most of the way so it’s not as noticeable and you have to press your face against the screen to see any grain.

[@williamdriver1959]

@@ScrimpBoatthe abyss and aliens looks amazing. They don’t look waxy at all. True lies don’t look waxy but has some issues but still better than the dvd.

[@ScrimpBoat]

@@williamdriver1959 Sure man.. just watched them. True lies literally looks like they are nearly rubber at times. The color grading in some scenes is just ugly. The Abyss looks too clean to the point where the special effects look comical. I guess we should’ve expected it after T2 but I’m just glad to own them. Aliens has yet to arrive.

[@paulglover6525]

@@ScrimpBoatThere are some film stocks that have if any next to no grain.

[@nope5657]

I've heard The Abyss looks great, Aliens is getting iffy reviews, and most everyone hates the True Lies disc.

[@By_His_Strypes]

The only one getting iffy reviews is True Lies up until this point. You couldn’t ask for better w/ Aliens & The Abyss, they approaching reference level content.

[@williamdriver1959]

@@By_His_Strypesman people just love to hate. Even true lies is the best it’s ever looks. I’ll admit it has issues.

[@ibezzant]

​@@williamdriver1959 true but it's getting compared to a wildly outdated DVD with the wrong aspect ratio. If we had a really good blu-ray to compare to like the horrific T2 4K release, this True Lies disc would be considered a top 10-15 all time worst 4K release.

[@MsModestyBlaise]

@@ibezzantyep, agree. Did Cameron also approve the 4K T2?

[@ibezzant]

@@MsModestyBlaise according to HiDefDigest he did unfortunately.

[@psychonaut421]

Ship of Theseus was what you were looking for. Stoked for the Abyss finally.

[@JeffRauseo]

Yes thank you!

[@aspiringistari]

Or trigger's broom. If you've seen the UK series only fools and horses

[@CoinOpTV]

I ordered Abyss and Aliens -- holding off on True Lies for now - will catch that on a sale maybe!

[@sarahcahlik0u8me]

Perhaps in the future, a 4K, non-DNR version of the movies will be released by Kino Lorber, Arrow Video, or perhaps The Criterion Collection.

[@gabrielspiropol9418]

I asked that question too, maybe we’ll get lucky and get a proper restoration 4K disc down the road.

[@drewzalo]

We won’t, as long as James is alive.

[@SEAL341]

...don't give people ideas @@drewzalo

[@MarkFoster321789]

You can kiss that notion goodbye! Disney are not releasing their titles to anyone and Cameron has his final say on the matter. That said, I will snap up a copy of ALIENS next month and see the end result for myself.

[@ryans413]

So everyone hates grain so they remove it now everyone hates not having grain lol you people will never be happy.

[@STTPMASFTNE]

James Cameron has become obsessed with technology at the expense of his films, same as George Lucas.

[@il100374]

🙌🙌🙌

[@Maximusbyronus]

I picked up and watched the Aliens 4k disk last night and my brain knew something was off with the visuals, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I switched back to my original Bluray and verified the film grain, 80s grit and charm was removed for the 4k release...what a disappointment. Thanks for confirming and explaining what they did, I thought I was going a little crazy.

[@GanymedeXD]

80s chatme? Who wants that? A grainy mess!

[@adamsteinbacher2629]

Spot on reviews. The best way I can put what Aliens and The Abyss look like on UHD are really high-res, incredible looking video game cutscenes. The added detail from the A.I. is just too much. As for True Lies, not even bothering with that one. Looks awful.

[@Sthunderrocker]

Interesting take. Been trying to wrap my head around the detail and crispness but also looking fake. It's not necessarily in the screenshots. It's in the moving image.

[@adamsteinbacher2629]

@@Sthunderrocker Yep, it's so weird looking. The detail that was added via A.I. fluctuates so wildly when it transitions from still and close-up shots to shots in motion. It's especially noticeable in the faces. It seems like there was an equal amount of fine detail scrubbed away and detail added that wasn't there before. Metallic surfaces in particular look much cleaner and have a glossy shine, as opposed to the dirt and grime that gave the film such a lived-in feel. It looks fake because it is!

[@Matman2099]

That scene in the abyss where Ed Harris pops up in the diving gear when Hammer freaks out looks awesome in 4K. Those bubbles are crisp!

[@JeffRauseo]

Couldn't agree more!

[@InimicusSolitus]

I got The Abyss and True Lies. Happy with them, with Dolby Vision. Aliens is coming later this week.

[@JeffRauseo]

I’m happy to hear it! I think most people will be happy. I am happy with them too, but I obviously had to point out some cons in the review as well. Either way, it’s the best they’ve looked.

[@abrahamhernandez8506]

@@JeffRauseoI’m going to disagree with you about your take on the whole DNR scrubbing thing. If it were DNR to hell then why is the detail still present? DNR of old would have scrubbed the detail leaving the skin looking waxy and it does not look waxy at all like T2. It does have some oversharpening but that is due in part to the restoration removing the film grain but leaving the detail more present. Again I get you like that gritty look of old but this new transfer is just that a new transfer with far better detail and shadow detail brings out more nuance and detail. The DNR of old is not applied here but rather a new way of taking that gritty look to have a more sharper appearance and still have that detail. Otherwise I don’t know what disc you were watching but there was no waxiness and detail being scrubbed. True Lies on the other hand did not have the same restoration as Abyss and Aliens. I can get used to the new Aliens transfer as imo it is a reference quality disc. But for those that hate sharp details and want that grain just for the grain like you then by all means stick with the Blu-ray version upscaled to 4K. But this version is not DNR to hell and back and you’re just not used to this kind of new DNR that scrubs a bit of grain and leaves the detail. Also there is grain but it is very fine and stable not unlike your hot take stating that it is unstable😆.

[@arkigabor]

@@abrahamhernandez8506 It is not the classic DNR+EE we got here, but something new. It seems they used some AI algorithm to alter the scanned images scrubbing the film grain and at the same time generating artificial detail into the picture. I don't like it and looks uncanny to me even on the better Abyss and Aliens, and simply ugly on True Lies. It is distinctively different to DNR+EE but almost equally bad IMO.

[@mikeyoung5722]

​@@abrahamhernandez8506Contradiction - that sharpening effect introduced from the AI process is certainly not nuanced.

[@rosstee]

​@@mikeyoung5722 Yeah, I agree based on what's shown in this video.

[@plumnbagel]

Has anyone been able to find these in stores? They seem sold out right now on Amazon as well.

[@VictorFerri-g7e]

Damn you, Cameron

[@ElCapoNinja]

They’re sold out everywhere, someone know where to get them at retail price?

[@domcoke]

I watched Alien and Aliens back to back on original 35mm prints back in the day [around 1993] - and the contrast between the look of Alien and Aliens was stark. Especially given that the print we were watching of Alien was struck on original release, because it still had the "X" certificate... long story short: Alien looked pristine - the lighting was especially impressive, and grain was minimal. Aliens: looked like shit. The grain was coarse, and I've always thought the lighting was bad, and dated, and I still do. Honestly it looks like an 80s TV movie in comparison with the ultra naturalistic lighting design of Alien. Cinematography wise they are in totally different leagues. Aliens obviously holds up as a blockbuster popcorn action/horror, but aesthetically - there's just no contest.

[@saltech3444]

I have always thought that Aliens looked much, much rougher than Alien (and all I have is the 1999 DVDs). It's just the way it was shot.

[@domcoke]

@@saltech3444 there are many reasons. The format it was shot in, the film stock it was shot on, the lighting. Alien was shot on a slower film stock [100T as opposed to Aliens' 400T], with anamorphic lenses, and better practical lighting. And so Alien just looks so much more refined than Aliens.

[@kp4588]

Where did you buy your copies? I can’t seem to find them anywhere. Anyone else having this problem?

[@frankenjstein9371]

Yes. Even the pre-orders are not showing up.

[@Durwood71]

Rumor I heard is that Disney greatly underestimated the demand for physical releases of these films since they are all about streaming these days and have gutted their physical media department, so nobody was keeping tabs on preorders, and they simply failed to produce sufficient product to meet demand.

[@Icelandlover]

You sold me at Atmos for the Abyss. I love my True Lies Bluray spanish version so I'll stick with it.

[@superfantastico4752]

I thought my Spanish copy looked great too. sticking with it. Got so excited about the 4k disc assuming Cameron would have learnt his lesson since T2 waxworks

[@bellotriggerfish]

Question: The Abyss 4K UHD was available for pre-order on Amazon, supposedly with a March 12 2024 date. Now it's already the 18th and it just says the item hasn't shipped. The product page does not show any availability!!! Did something happen? Why is this movie not shipping? Anyone know what is going on with this release?

[@Durwood71]

I was originally supposed to receive _The Abyss_ 4K from Amazon on March 12, but on that day, I received an email from Amazon saying the ship date had been pushed back to the end of March without explanation. I then found it in stock at Walmart, so I ordered from there and cancelled my Amazon order. My disc from Walmart arrived yesterday.

[@bellotriggerfish]

@@Durwood71I just checked Amazon, and they finally put a shipping date on it. Hope they stick to it. That said: I wish they actually emailed me about the change. Why did I have to CHECK with them? Anyway. I'm glad when it actually ships.

[@jimsyhammond]

Definitely getting the Abyss....the DVD looks horrible on a big TV, so I'd be happy with any upgrade

[@hannahgibbons7436]

It looks amazing in 4k

[@paolodenapoli7823]

I’m hearing Amazon (At least Canada) has stopped shipping/selling Abyss 4K due to reported technical issues. When you receive your copy watch it before your return window is up. Many saying it freezes at the 58th min.

[@liamaltork2551]

So what you're saying is The Abyss does not look Abyssmal on 4K 😂🤣

[@Seriously140]

These True Lies are Alienating me!

[@stuunitt2947]

Groan. 🥴

[@broshoe16]

Did anyone receive the Abyss or Aliens today (release day)? I preordered both from Amazon and the site says both are out of stock.

[@jeffleonard343]

Yeah im in it for the Dolby Atmos! 🎉

[@timneja4493]

Great to know! My number one pick to get is The Abyss since I saw its new 4K remaster in theaters. Not flawless (a few DNR moments despite noticing film grain for most of the time) but overall very solid.

[@davidjamesduprey]

I'm really looking forward to The Abyss and True Lies on 4K. I have the DVDs, which have long gone out of print.

[@kyles7087]

Well I have to say, I’m not surprised. Leave it to the fans, they will take care of it.. as they’ve done with Star Wars. If you’re unaware, look into 4K77, 4K80, & 4K83. You’ll not need to wear out this VHS tapes ever again 😂James Cameron is one of the great filmmakers, but he needs to leave well enough alone. Make the film, and leave it be. Titanic 3D was a fun gimmick, but other than that.. I can’t stand revisionists. Thanks for sharing and making this Jeff, I love your channel ❤

[@NipItInTheBud100]

Sucks because I had been waiting, with the rest of the world, for a good 4K release of True Lies! I wish the filmmakers would stop doing what they want and giver he public what it wants!

[@GanymedeXD]

What utter nonsense … its the filmmakers decision … not about the shit some consumers want!

[@NipItInTheBud100]

@GanymedeXD well that's stupid....the consumers are who is paying for it!! It's not like it's a new property. The movie is already released!! Give the people what they want!! Don't be like George Lucas and ruin a good thing!!

[@leeburgers2444]

​@GanymedeXD you are some glutton for punishment bootlicker. Enjoy the horrible AI Trash transfers. Characters morphing scene to scene like magic eye paintings and looking like video game characters. Keep pretending that crap is good ta ham and egger 😂😂😂

[@robertmedina4520]

@filmsathome any news on what is causing the delay? I haven't received my pre-order like a lot of people.

[@benstiller9578]

I love Cameron, always have. Of course I have these ordered, but I do not like his urges to be a remastering revisionist. Also, as much as I enjoyed The Way of Water in true 1:43:1 IMAX, I really wish he did not use HFR for the action sequences.

[@utthapa]

The Way of Water was 1.85:1 in IMAX 1.43:1 screens.

[@AhmetAtalayOfficial]

You can purchase spanish blu ray of True Lies, which I have. It is as close to the original copy as you gonna get. And still looks pretty good.

[@TheWretchedMammoth]

Thanks for the heads up Jeff, it's a bummer about True Lies, I have the anniversary edition of Aliens so I'll hang on to that. For the others I'll wait for a sale.

[@By_His_Strypes]

I would make up your own mind or look towards more reputable reviewers like Bill Hunt. The fact he even mentions T2 is an indication he likely didn’t watch these… none of these look anything like T2.

[@seansmith4183]

We've been waiting for decades for these, so these are must buys. Thanks for the rundown.

[@MrCamel2humps]

When the hell are we getting Terminator on 4K???

[@kthx1138]

Soon, now that these 3 releases will certainly be huge hits.

[@Silvergun_Raven]

Would be fantastic if it happens this year since the movie is now 40 years old (or will be during this year).

[@jon4715]

They’re going to destroy it anyway

[@cloudkicker-gx7gb]

Soon, both concerned and excited, as it’s one of my favourite films

[@conork07]

A great Review Jeff I think I might buy them. Well worth owning them on 4K. I do hope they do a 4K release of “The Rock” another great underrated action movies of the 90’s

[@mknightstalkerx]

Thanks. I was going to get them. But not now. I already have them on dvd for true lies. And ALIENS on Blu-ray.

[@JeffRauseo]

I’d still get them. There’s nothing seriously wrong with them. They could be better. They could be a lot worse.

[@mknightstalkerx]

I'll wait for a sale. Plus I have them on vudu and apple tv like you do.

[@scipio3421]

I can't order the Aliens 4k anywhere?! Wtf? Anyone know the best place to order physical media now?

[@CJPeriPeri]

I absolutely detest the heavily applied use of visual digital noise reduction to movies. It irritates my eyes 😵‍💫 I don’t understand why people/filmmakers can’t tolerate a little bit of film grain on older movies, especially when they were actually shot on film stock 🎥 If I want to watch something that looks like it was shot with wax figures from Madame Tussaud’s, I’d go visit the Madame Tussaud’s museum, but I don’t. 🕯️

[@GanymedeXD]

A grainy meds looks shit as well!

[@bazzzzz6175]

Nice reviews. I'm still very happy with my Aliens BD from the Alien Quadrilogy box. I have no desire to upgrade it for the fourth time. Abyss will be had when it's on a sale. True Lies is a pass.

[@brianmoore581]

I already ordered The Abyss, so I guess I will get to see it in a few days. Aliens I have had on Bluray for years, the whole set. I doubt I will replace that. True Lies isn't really something I just have to own. It's nice, just not nice enough to take up shelf space in my house.

[@rosstee]

Exactly my thinking as well.

[@richforgrave8869]

On the bluray of Aliens, Cameron in the commentary track, expresses his displeasure in the film stock at the time having too much grain. He definitely wanted there to be less.

[@ryans413]

See he didn’t want the grain and everyone is saying the 4K is ruined without the grain lol the director never intended to have grain.

[@GhoulishGwyn]

After the Alien 4K was so, so good, it really hurts to see Aliens destroyed like this. I’ll stick with the Blu-ray, like I did with LotR when I saw how unwatchable those 4Ks were.

[@jackko21]

We are gonna need a despecialized edition of of these movies

[@hednik]

What has been added that needs to be taken away? Lol

[@oscarferrer8544]

Check out 35mm fan preservations online. I have a 1080p copy of True Lies and other films

[@stevemuzak8526]

Just watch 35mm scans. Problem solved.

[@JeffRauseo]

I would not go that far. It’s not Star Wars in terms of story changes. It’s just a technological choice to modernize his movies. To each their own.

[@wright96d]

There is a 35mm film print scan of True Lies out there if you know where to look...

[@bob4123able]

I preorder aliens 4k on amazon just to find out March 12th it's out of stock so I don't know when I'm getting it

[@jctai100]

I only have an issue with the Aliens cover art. Going to wait for some sort of steelbook/limited edition.

[@hednik]

I kind of felt the same way till I saw that it was a metallic cover and I've come around on it.

[@jctai100]

yea, it's subjective. Just wish they went with the old logo only.@@hednik

[@bman6285]

Confirmed that there is no steelbook is ever planned

[@Antimonkat]

the art, that you wont see most of the time, ? Interesting priorities, but you do you

[@tedmetalhead6177]

​@@bman6285 😮

[@USAHitz]

Anyone know the best stores for physical media in Columbus? Thanks

[@rogershore3128]

My CAV laserdisc box sets of Aliens and the Abyss are not going anywhere...

[@GanymedeXD]

They look really shitty onna 4K TV!

[@rogershore3128]

@ not if you have an S9 or X9 player

[@markmueller5825]

The abyss was supposed to come out today but I can't find it anywhere. Is it that much in demand?

[@alden_m_]

It's weird that these came out with mixed reviews, seeing as they took so long to manifest. Still, it'll be cool to watch some of these for the first time in UHD. I've never seen the Abyss OR Aliens, so I'm stoked.

[@NegativeReaper]

A lot of film fans are purists when it comes to the look of a film. I don't really mind so much as long as the image still looks good. I saw the new 4K transfer of The Abyss in Dolby, and it looked amazing.

[@MikeMargolis-j8f]

​@@GamezGuru1He didn't say he was a film enthusiast....

[@alden_m_]

@NegativeReaper yeah I definitely appreciate the ones that go above and beyond (Alien, Jaws, 2001: A Space Odyssey), but I'm sure these'll still look great.

[@cchadmlavigne]

Where did you get these? I cant find them anywhere

[@circustramps]

Hmmm…Was kind of hoping for a deeper dive for each film with more shot comparisons of prior versions now that you are doing less reviews

[@Antimonkat]

there is another review on youtube that has what you are looking for

[@circustramps]

True, but his prior analysis videos were why I followed this channel. They were the best on KZbin

[@u77750]

Thanks Jeff. Looks like I’m sticking with my Aliens Blu-ray box set. I’m gonna get True Lies and the Abyss as all I have is the old DVD.

[@DanPyjamas]

I don't mind a bit of DNR. I prefer a bit of DNR over too much grain. Tremors, I had to move back to a 1080 optimal viewing distance. Bridge over the river kwai was unwatchable for me. I couldn't see what was going on. Tenet looked amazing. I know I'm pretty alone in this, but I thought T2 looked pretty good :D Obviously I hadn't seen the 4k without DNR so I couldn't say I prefer it however. I guess, I'm not so bothered in preserving the "original vision" or "The cinema experience". I just want a crisp image. I appreciate that DNR can remove some surface detail, but to me I lose a lot in excessive grain too. Maybe its my eyes! Jeff, you never did my requested "top 10 digitally shot 4k releases" video :D

[@JosephASobora]

I personally don't care anymore. I've waited for decades for these films to come out and I'm going to buy them for sure. What's done is done! I've own the Spain imported Blu-ray release of "True Lies" and have "Aliens" on my Alien Anthology Blu-ray and happy that I did, but I never own "The Abyss" on any format. The transfers aren't great nor perfect and not too fond on Cameron's choices, but I'll live with it. I dealt with films with lousy transfers in the past ("Predator": Ultimate Hunter Edition being one of them) but I still kept them. Nevertheless, I love these movies and rather have it on a physical format to keep than getting stuck on digital!

[@matthemming9105]

The Ship of Theseus is an apt analogy for the Star Wars films going through so many alterations it barely resembles the original release.

[@amasvodka]

1. The original camera negative was in such terrible condition that it is incredible that they were able to save the film at all. Blame the studio for not protecting its assets, not Jim. 2. AI technology is consistently used on new blu ray and 4K releases and has been for years.

[@GanymedeXD]

1. Which one? True Lies? Nope it was not … it was just not shot on regular 35 mm which caused problems and had produced a lot of grain Cameron hates. 2. Not everybody … its ai automated vs direct transfer …

[@RetroTechSelect]

I ordered The Abyss. I'll stick with my existing Aliens Blu and will probably pick up the Spanish Blu of True Lies.

[@AndyH-yb5ty]

If we get a 40th Anniversary Terminator 4k, I hope it's not too AI'd 🤞

[@utthapa]

It will definitely be AI'd. All of the original film grain will be scrubbed away clean, and all the natural details along with it. Then, they will use AI to add fake details and then sharpen it. At most, they might apply a layer of fake digital noise above the super smooth image, like they did on the Titanic 4K disc, but that's it. The Terminator will now look like a modern, but digitally shot movie.

[@rosstee]

@@utthapa Yep, that's the fear. Luckily I'm quite happy with my blu-rays of T1, T2 and Aliens.

[@haukionkannel]

Nah! The skynet edited version is coming!

[@richardansley]

Hi Jeff. I thought they all looked great in 4k. Best they’re ever likely to look and way better than my old dvd copies. Your review was quite fair. T2 4k was really really poor and needs a redo - I believe it’s getting a welcome redo. Bring it on! 😀

[@ps5andstuffhere]

Aliens and Abyss look amazing. True Lies 4k disc looks better than the terrible 4k streaming release

[@By_His_Strypes]

One thing that should be pointed out is digital is not the way to go here. The physical is vastly superior to those 4K digital options. If all you watch was those, one could see where one could think DNR was applied. As they look awful in comparison especially Aliens.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

This youtuber is talking about the digital 4k. He has made a big mistake

[@williamdriver1959]

@@ps5andstuffherehe shared the exact digital photos that’s been out. None new. On disc don’t look like that. Still some issues though.

[@NipItInTheBud100]

Since the are both digital films, just the format is different, why would the quality of the picture be different hard copy vs digital copy?

[@ps5andstuffhere]

It looks totally different. Go check other reviewer videos. One guy does proper comparison

[@COFFEEWITHJIM]

I've been waiting for an HD Abyss for like, 18 years ? So, yeah, cool, about time..now...if I can just find a copy ...everywhere is sold out ! Excellent video, Jeff. Thank you.

[@VanDammage87]

Let's be honest, as long as it's not "Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition" waxy, I'm sure these will be worth the upgrade.

[@unconditionalprong]

Or Moontrap. That Blu-ray is truly hideous. The Blu is out of print, so hopefully the rights holders can redo with someone else down the line.

[@bulloguin]

After seeing your reviews I’m very disappointed of these transfers. Now I’ve canceled the True Lies and Aliens as well. The picture new transfer on True Lies looks awful, and Aliens seems like a mix bag too. The Abyss is definitely the winner of these 4K transfers and I’ve been waiting so long for a physical disc of this movie that I love. Thanks so much for these reviews and maybe in the future Aliens could be available as a double dip release with a better image quality.

[@LukeLovesRose]

In Search of Physical Media had a much, more in depth review of all three discs

[@jacobroberts2764]

He was also a lot more positive on Abyss and Aliens. Interesting to see a different take

[@JeffRauseo]

He does stuff very in depth. Another great channel. Not my style though.

[@skyblinked]

Tell you what, i never write in the comments in YT, but jeff isnt a condescending omniscient a-hole when he replies in the comments. He answers with respect and understanding. That why his channel has over 100k subs while the other guy, not so much.

[@LukeLovesRose]

Anyway, he had nothing good things to say about Aliens.

[@skyblinked]

@@LukeLovesRose yeah. It doesnt seem to be an exact science either. Again, jeff doesnt drop numbers out of his ass, like scoring a movie 9.2 out of 10 in terms of image and sound quality. As an example, RTings do comprehensive reviews in the 4k tv domain. Just want to add its a problem in the audiophile community channels as well, its too subjective.

[@theaterdreamer]

“Aliens might be the best sequel of all-time, maybe behind only Terminator 2.” Uh, The Godfather Part II, The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight and The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers and The Return of the King say “hi”.

[@DarthHater100]

Best sequel of all time is The Empire Strikes Back.

[@brianboardwell1986]

That’s what I was saying

[@fbanget]

Wrong. You spelled Police Academy 2 wrong.

[@ElmerPonceCastro]

it’s not even the best SW sequel lol

[@chrisortiz7487]

GODFATHER part 2 is the GOAT

[@naturallawman2965]

Dawn of the Dead is superior to Night of the Living Dead in everyway. Which is saying something considering NOTLD is a horror classic.

[@richardwagner33]

For me Fox’s definitive version of Aliens on DVD is the best version of that film. A fantastic transfer, great artwork and the way the film should look and sound in all aspects.

[@dwcinnc]

When The Abyss was being filmed, I worked at a hotel in South Carolina where several actors were staying. I had the chance to meet some of them, notably Michael Bienh and Leo Burmester. Burmester had some very interesting information about his experiences as an actor.

[@kthx1138]

Cracks me up how Leo, when he hears other actors bitching and moaning about how hard acting in their movies is, says "Fuck you--I did The Abyss".

[@iswhatitis1632]

Hey Jeff. Have you heard anything about delays on these , specifically Aliens? Everywhere claims to be out of stock and preorders are stuck. No answers either. Any good alternatives to picking up a copy? Thank you

[@travisspazz1624]

I might just get the Abyss.

[@JeffRauseo]

Buy what you love! That’s the most important part.

[@jacobm.vantuijl]

Only when Aliens gets a nice steelbook release, like Alien, i'm in. Lots of people waiting on those three, and he gave them a ' Avatar treatment'. What a shame. Thanks for the info!

[@b-icemedia]

I'm sure they all look great. I think modernizing old films brings them new life and adds more immersion for those who missed out on them originally! I'm still excited for my copy of True Lies to come in. 🤷‍♂

[@gbgary]

from the stills I've seen of Aliens 4k, and reg blu-ray, the 4k is a massive improvement. brighter, much more detailed and natural looking. grain is there it's just a fine grain. no?

[@JeffRauseo]

Grain is reduced from what I saw. But yes still present in many scenes. But not in the way Alien had it

[@albanet]

I did not like what Aliens in Blu-ray looks like, the grain is not « nice looking » , so maybe I’ll like this edition

[@brandonesters]

Where can I purchase True Lies. Amazon was out of stock on day 1

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

Just watched aliens 4K on disc and I’m absolutely blown away. I would argue both alien and now aliens 4K are two of the best 4K disc movies you can get. The amount of visual noise in the Blu-ray version is annoying. It’s completely reminiscing of that 80s era of film that really sets those movies apart but aliens was one of them are visually noisy films and honestly I love the 4K presentation. It’s almost completely removed now some may not like that but I loved it.

[@ryans413]

Titanic looks great and that was done with AI to man I’m impressed Aliens also very happy with and The Abyss wow last time I saw The Abyss was on DVD was not in widescreen and was heavily compressed and True Lies for me looked fine I think some people are very picky.

[@jeremyknight6996]

First thanks as always Jeff for the excellent review! I've been really looking forward to these being reviewed and you're just about first out of the gate! I get your point about difficultly making comparisons with previous releases and the business of the processing removing grain. It sounds very simlar to what was done for the LOTR release which I recall you rated very highly right. It might not be 'purist' but I don't really care too much about that myself as long as the image is good. For Abyss it's a no-brainer really that it'll be wayyy better than any DVD - never having actually had a proper HD release (other than streaming you mention). Aliens is one of my all time favourites so I've been hoping massivey we'd get 4K release. I was always somewhat disappointed with the blu-ray and this upgrade - though not perfect - sounds well worth it. So I've pulled the trigger on a pre-order. And for Abyss too. You mention the Alien 4k as looking really great with all the grain intact, but actually I think in some scenes and especially with HDR it's pretty horrible looking occasionally. There's that horde of buzzing flies effect that's really distracting at times e.g. when the life pods are opening for the first time. So I don't personally mind some scrubbing of this, but not as you say at the cost of losing detail. I guess there's always a trade off. Anway all things considered I'm super happy we have these as an option now and I'm getting Abyss and Aliens 100%! True Lies I'm not so bothered about...

[@JeffRauseo]

LOTR was a lot less egregious than these. I also really liked Titanic, which I’d say is closer to LOTR. The Abyss is in that category but the other two are a little bit off. True Lies for sure has issues

[@ps5andstuffhere]

You have not watched True Lies 4k disc bro. It looks very different to the digital streaming release. Why did you post the old Twitter screenshots?

[@JeffRauseo]

The screenshots were just a representation, which I said in the review. I don’t see a point in breaking down pixel by pixel screenshots on a KZbin video that is compressed 80 times over before you see it. The disc is the same transfer, just enhanced with higher bit rate and quality. It’s got the same issues, but to a lesser degree.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

Disc version looks way different to me. It's not the same

[@JeffRauseo]

@@ps5andstuffhereit is the same transfer, just higher bit rates on disc.

[@nick1635]

@@ps5andstuffhereof course its the same transfer. Just higher bitrate on disk, but its exactly the same source.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

Looks very different. They messed up the digital

[@swempthebemp]

God damn it. I've been checking in for years for True Lies' release, and now this is what we get?

[@Spideyzac]

The screenshots of True Lies you showed* are they from the digital release that came out months ago, or from the actual disc? I've seen reviews saying the disc is waaayyyy better than those digital releases.

[@smartrn1]

Where is Excalibur guys?

[@By_His_Strypes]

Sometime this year if we are lucky 🤞🏻

[@MichaelLopresto]

I saw the 4K restoration of The Abyss in the cinema. It was sublime. There's a night and day difference in quality between Terminator 2 and True Lies. True Lies is reference grade by comparison.

[@thomaslytle5519]

I dodged a bullet with this one. They really need to STOP putting iconic films on 4k if they’re just gonna shank it! i.e. Exorcist, Planes, Trains… etc. Thank God Amazon went out of stock before release date. I cancelled my order. Such BS. I swear Nothing is Quality any more

[@handsolo1076]

I was so torn, but your review set me straight. I won't have the SW special editions in my man-cave. Not Aliens either. That's a damn shame. Is this is a Disney release? I have no qualms about holding back money from those lore destroyers.

[@axelgallardo6959]

i should receive these tomorrow in the Post, didn't buy True Lies though, not my Cup of TEA to be honest 🎉