Explorers (1985)
Science Fiction, Adventure, Family • 1h 49m
Overview
Middle schooler Ben spends his free time watching sci-fi films, playing video games and reading comic books. Surprisingly, his affinity for all things fantastical yields a real result – when he has a vivid dream about technology, his prodigy best friend Wolfgang manages to create a working spacecraft. Joined by their buddy Darren, the boys take off into outer space and encounter some very odd extraterrestrial life.
Director: Joe Dante
Cast: Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix, Jason Presson, Amanda Peterson, Bobby Fite, Dana Ivey, James Cromwell, Dick Miller, Bradley Gregg, Georg Olden, Chance Schwass, Meshach Taylor, Danny Nucci, Taliesin Jaffe, Brooke Bundy, Tricia Bartholome, Eric Luke, Robert Picardo, Karen Mayo-Chandler, Robert F. Boyle, John P. Navin, Jr., Mary Hillstead, Simone Blue, Leslie Rickert, Mary Kay Place
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Arrow 4K Blu-ray
Arrow includes the original 70mm 6-track mix in a discrete form (4.1), as well as the matrixed 35mm Dolby Stereo mix (2.0), both from new transfers. The German Blu-ray uses an earlier transfer dating back to the LaserDisc for the stereo. Both sound good.
Arrow includes a 7.1 Atmos remix, whereas earlier releases include a 5.1 remix.
Director: Joe Dante
Arrow 4K Blu-ray
Arrow includes the original 70mm 6-track mix in a discrete form (4.1), as well as the matrixed 35mm Dolby Stereo mix (2.0), both from new transfers. The German Blu-ray uses an earlier transfer dating back to the LaserDisc for the stereo. Both sound good.
Arrow includes a 7.1 Atmos remix, whereas earlier releases include a 5.1 remix.
Director: Joe Dante
Scream Factory US 4K Blu-ray
Scream Factory US 4K Blu-ray > StudioCanal UK for the inclusion of original mono, more extras
Scream Factory US includes original mono
For the director/actor commentary, the 1995 Image Entertainment LaserDisc is uncut, subsequent releases are cut
Director: Joe Dante
Scream Factory US 4K Blu-ray
Scream Factory US 4K Blu-ray > StudioCanal UK for the inclusion of original mono, more extras
Scream Factory US includes original mono
For the director/actor commentary, the 1995 Image Entertainment LaserDisc is uncut, subsequent releases are cut
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray
Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray
Director: Joe Dante
Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray
Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Elaine May
Cinématographe 4K Blu-ray
Cinématographe 4K Blu-ray > MoC > Olive Films. From nicolas:
The master is good but it’s not that big an upgrade from the Olive Films disc and Vinegar Syndrome’ encode has some blocky highlights. A shame that they didn’t hire David Mackenzie here.
Olive Films Blu-ray / Masters of Cinema Blu-ray
Cinématographe has unnecessary noise gating not present on the previous releases.
Director: Elaine May
Cinématographe 4K Blu-ray
Cinématographe 4K Blu-ray > MoC > Olive Films. From nicolas:
The master is good but it’s not that big an upgrade from the Olive Films disc and Vinegar Syndrome’ encode has some blocky highlights. A shame that they didn’t hire David Mackenzie here.
Olive Films Blu-ray / Masters of Cinema Blu-ray
Cinématographe has unnecessary noise gating not present on the previous releases.
Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray see caps
For Blu-ray, UK Second Sight is better than Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray see caps
For Blu-ray, UK Second Sight is better than Kino Lorber Blu-ray
Director: Abel Ferrara
Director: Abel Ferrara
88 Films 4K Blu-ray scheduled for August 17, 2026 release
88 Films 4K Blu-ray scheduled for August 17, 2026 release
Director: Robert Downey Sr.
Director: Robert Downey Sr.
Director: William Friedkin
Director: William Friedkin
Director: Rachel Talalay
Director: Rachel Talalay
Director: Matthew Bright
Director: Matthew Bright
More Science Fiction on Blu-ray
Director: Andrew Stanton
Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras
Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.
Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.
Director: Andrew Stanton
Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras
Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.
Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed)
2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray (and subsequent 4Ks) is heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is also available. For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix 5.1: likely on the Artisan DVD and other Pioneer Japan DVD.
Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.
Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.
2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed)
2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray (and subsequent 4Ks) is heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is also available. For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix 5.1: likely on the Artisan DVD and other Pioneer Japan DVD.
Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.
Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.
2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.
70mm 6-Track: Paramount US 4K Blu-ray
35mm matrixed Dolby Stereo: 1995 Live Home Video US LaserDisc
Although the provenance of Paramount's 5.1 track is not confirmed, the fidelity is outstanding and speaks for itself.
The 7.1 track on the Capelight/old Lionsgate release is just an upmix with nothing gained over the 5.1.
The original stereo mix is only present on older DVDs and LaserDiscs; all Blu-ray 2.0 tracks are downmixes.
Paramount 4K Blu-ray has no extras, Capelight 4K Blu-ray has most of the extras, Olive Films Blu-ray has a exclusive commentary
70mm 6-Track: Paramount US 4K Blu-ray
35mm matrixed Dolby Stereo: 1995 Live Home Video US LaserDisc
Although the provenance of Paramount's 5.1 track is not confirmed, the fidelity is outstanding and speaks for itself.
The 7.1 track on the Capelight/old Lionsgate release is just an upmix with nothing gained over the 5.1.
The original stereo mix is only present on older DVDs and LaserDiscs; all Blu-ray 2.0 tracks are downmixes.
Paramount 4K Blu-ray has no extras, Capelight 4K Blu-ray has most of the extras, Olive Films Blu-ray has a exclusive commentary
Director: Joss Whedon
Director: Joss Whedon
Director: Charles Band
Full Moon Features Blu-ray or 88 Films Blu-ray is better than 4K Blu-ray, which is poorly encoded
Director: Charles Band
Full Moon Features Blu-ray or 88 Films Blu-ray is better than 4K Blu-ray, which is poorly encoded
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Japan 4K Blu-ray beats the other 4Ks and includes English subtitles
Dynit IT Blu-ray
All 4K releases are upscales of the same master with a substantial amount of DNR.
1988 Pioneer JP LaserDisc for the original 1988 home video audio
2001 Dynit IT Blu-ray for the 2001 remix
2009 Bandai Visual JP Blu-ray / 2011 MHE UK Blu-ray for the Hypersonic remix
1992 Criterion US LaserDisc for the 1988 Streamline English dub
2013 FUNimation US Blu-ray the 2001 Animaze English dub
Due to budgetary constraints, the original theatrical mix was mono. It was replaced with Dolby Surround for all subsequent releases and was never re-released.
LaserDisc is the best souning version of the original home video mix, as all later releases attentuate bass significantly and lower dynamic range. Comparison
The Japanese audio was remixed in 5.1 twice, first time in 2001 for the DVD release, and second time in 2009 for the BD release ("Hypersonic" remix). While the 2001 remix remains mostly faithful to the 1988 mix, the 2009 Hypersonic remix is highly revisionistic. However, its fidelity is outstanding, and despite many changes made, it's a worthwhile alternative experience for fans of the film. The 4K release includes the Hypersonic mix, but with a tonne of unnecessary noise reduction and unbalanced levels.
Comparison between mixes, list of changes between mixes
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Japan 4K Blu-ray beats the other 4Ks and includes English subtitles
Dynit IT Blu-ray
All 4K releases are upscales of the same master with a substantial amount of DNR.
1988 Pioneer JP LaserDisc for the original 1988 home video audio
2001 Dynit IT Blu-ray for the 2001 remix
2009 Bandai Visual JP Blu-ray / 2011 MHE UK Blu-ray for the Hypersonic remix
1992 Criterion US LaserDisc for the 1988 Streamline English dub
2013 FUNimation US Blu-ray the 2001 Animaze English dub
Due to budgetary constraints, the original theatrical mix was mono. It was replaced with Dolby Surround for all subsequent releases and was never re-released.
LaserDisc is the best souning version of the original home video mix, as all later releases attentuate bass significantly and lower dynamic range. Comparison
The Japanese audio was remixed in 5.1 twice, first time in 2001 for the DVD release, and second time in 2009 for the BD release ("Hypersonic" remix). While the 2001 remix remains mostly faithful to the 1988 mix, the 2009 Hypersonic remix is highly revisionistic. However, its fidelity is outstanding, and despite many changes made, it's a worthwhile alternative experience for fans of the film. The 4K release includes the Hypersonic mix, but with a tonne of unnecessary noise reduction and unbalanced levels.
Comparison between mixes, list of changes between mixes
Director: James Cameron
Director: James Cameron
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Universal Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray has DNR, see caps https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a=0&d1=11748&d2=11747&s1=115760&s2=115776&i=0&l=0
Best Buy Blu-ray has a bonus disc
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Universal Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray has DNR, see caps https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a=0&d1=11748&d2=11747&s1=115760&s2=115776&i=0&l=0
Best Buy Blu-ray has a bonus disc
Director: Richard Stanley
Umbrella AU 4K Blu-ray, encoded by Fidelity in Motion
Director: Richard Stanley
Umbrella AU 4K Blu-ray, encoded by Fidelity in Motion
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