The Arrival (1996)
Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror • 1h 55m
Overview
Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.
Director: David Twohy
Cast: Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Schiff, Ron Silver, Teri Polo, Phyllis Applegate, Tony T. Johnson, Alan Coates, Leon Rippy, Buddy Joe Hooker, Javier Morga, David Villalpando, María Luisa Coronel, Mónica Dionne, Alejandro Usigli, Jacqueline Voltaire, Luisa Huertas, Roger Cudney, Shane, Dave Galasso, Georg Lillitsch, Catalina Botello, David Sherrill, Ángel de la Peña, Ellen Bradley, Jorge Becerril, Jorge Zepeda, Ree Johnson, Andrea Sisniega
Director: David Twohy
Director: David Twohy
Director: David Twohy
Director: David Twohy
Director: David Twohy
Altered: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Altered: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Director: David Twohy
Altered: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Altered: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Director: David Twohy
Original 5.1 is included on the Arrow 4K Blu-ray and the Old Universal Blu-ray
Director: David Twohy
Original 5.1 is included on the Arrow 4K Blu-ray and the Old Universal 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
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
4K discs in the correct pitch https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=364711&page=8
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
4K discs in the correct pitch https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=364711&page=8
Director: Nick Park
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
4Ks have low-pitched music and sound effects (and that includes Shaun's baas) correct-pitch voices: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=21536116&postcount=109
Director: Nick Park
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
4Ks have low-pitched music and sound effects (and that includes Shaun's baas) correct-pitch voices: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=21536116&postcount=109
Director: Nick Park
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
Shout! Factory 4K 5.1 track for The Wrong Trousers is in its correct pitch both in music and voices https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=21535755&postcount=103
Unaltered track with the original music cues is on the LaserDisc.
Director: Nick Park
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
Shout! Factory 4K 5.1 track for The Wrong Trousers is in its correct pitch both in music and voices https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=21535755&postcount=103
Unaltered track with the original music cues is on the LaserDisc.
Director: Nick Park
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
None of the 4K, nor any of the 2009 Blu-ray has the correct pitch see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=364711&page=8
Director: Nick Park
The BBC 4K collection and Shout! Factory 4K collection all use the same source, and are all unfortunately using AI upscaling and DNR'ed They are worse than the blurays and the 2023 US Shout! Factory collections are even prone to disc-rot.
2009 Lionsgate US (also prone to disc-rot) or UK 2 Entertain OOP Blu-ray will be the way to go.
The 4K collection's Blu-ray seems to be a reprint of previous releases.
None of the 4K, nor any of the 2009 Blu-ray has the correct pitch see https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=364711&page=8
Director: Jamie Babbit
Lionsgate 4K Blu-ray is a disaster. The compression on the base layer is horrid, and the oversized 18 Mbps FEL barely helps.
Lionsgate 4K Blu-ray includes original matrixed Dolby Stereo mix, albeit lossy, and a 5.1 surround upmix. The stereo track on previous BD and DVD releases is also lossy and sounds about the same.
Director: Jamie Babbit
Lionsgate 4K Blu-ray is a disaster. The compression on the base layer is horrid, and the oversized 18 Mbps FEL barely helps.
Lionsgate 4K Blu-ray includes original matrixed Dolby Stereo mix, albeit lossy, and a 5.1 surround upmix. The stereo track on previous BD and DVD releases is also lossy and sounds about the same.
Director: Mark Jones
Lionsgate US 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Lionsgate US 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Original matrixed Ultra Stereo mix: Lionsgate 2014 US Blu-ray
5.1 remix: Lionsgate US 4K Blu-ray
Both 4K discs include a mono downmix instead of a proper stereo.
Original Lionsgate disc was encoded in incorrect colorspace and used a lossy->lossless transcode for the 5.1 mix.
Director: Mark Jones
Lionsgate US 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Lionsgate US 4K Blu-ray (replacement disc)
Original matrixed Ultra Stereo mix: Lionsgate 2014 US Blu-ray
5.1 remix: Lionsgate US 4K Blu-ray
Both 4K discs include a mono downmix instead of a proper stereo.
Original Lionsgate disc was encoded in incorrect colorspace and used a lossy->lossless transcode for the 5.1 mix.
USA Lionsgate/A24 4K Blu-ray for Dolby Atmos mix
Netherlands Remain in Light 4K Blu-ray for the alternate Auro-3D mix (caveat: no English subtitles for Mandarin/Cantonese dialogue)
USA Lionsgate/A24 4K Blu-ray for Dolby Atmos mix
Netherlands Remain in Light 4K Blu-ray for the alternate Auro-3D mix (caveat: no English subtitles for Mandarin/Cantonese dialogue)
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.
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
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Sony Global 4K Blu-ray
Sony Global 4K Blu-ray > WB US 4K Blu-ray
Dolby Atmos: Sony/Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, Warner Bros Blu-ray
Sony Blu-ray only has 5.1, not Atmos
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Sony Global 4K Blu-ray
Sony Global 4K Blu-ray > WB US 4K Blu-ray
Dolby Atmos: Sony/Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, Warner Bros Blu-ray
Sony Blu-ray only has 5.1, not Atmos
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, caveat: both releases do not contain their natively shot expanded IMAX aspect ratios
Dolby Atmos: Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, Warner Bros Blu-ray
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, caveat: both releases do not contain their natively shot expanded IMAX aspect ratios
Dolby Atmos: Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, Warner Bros Blu-ray
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