BLU RAY? Not.....
YO | 09/26/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If your looking to buy this on blu ray do not buy this version. I just purchased this believing it would be remastered but it was NOT. The quality was horrible not as bad as Tommy Boy on blu ray which I am still furious about because I do not see how hard it is to remaster or what ever it is they do to please customers, but you know how it is all they care about is money, screw the customers. However there is a new version of Shawshank Redemption coming to blu ray in November on the 16th, which I will purchase but it won't be a happy purchase. Enjoy the movie none the less, I can't say this is the best movie ever made, it's all up to you and what you like. To me the best movie ever made is The Clockwork Orange, such a gruesomely true movie (not the treatment part of it...)."
Beautiful Movie, Phenomenal Blu Ray Transfer
Tate | 09/22/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We all know that this movie is ranked one of the best of all time, so I don't feel it is necessary to go on and on about how wonderful it is. My only advice in regards to enjoying the plot/storyline/etc is to read the novella by Stephen King first. This movie adapts the book flawlessly, while keeping almost everything in tact. When direct quotes from the book were used in the film, I started tearing up every time.
Now about the Blu Ray. Though I have yet to see a BD release that hasn't added a goodly increase in picture and audio quality from a likewise DVD release, you occasionally run across some that don't really improve that much. With Shawshank, however, the improvement isn't just obvious, but an in-your-face smack of clarity that will even make the snobbiest blu ray fan's jaw drop open.
From here I could go on to say how rich the blacks are and how warm the red tones look, but to be honest there aren't enough adjectives to properly describe the perfection of the quality. "Perfect" is, I guess, the only one that comes closest. This release shows exactly how the movie was meant to be seen. It shows details and colors the way the director wanted them to be shown, it enhances movement, and blasts with glorious uncompressed audio. It is, ultimately, a new release in that no one has been able to watch this movie at home with this much clarity ever before. I cannot recommend it enough.
Overall, this is a fantastic movie and a top notch blu ray release. If you've never seen The Shawshank Redemption before, you owe it to yourself to witness a film masterpiece - but, I add, if you have never seen it before, you also owe it to yourself to read what is easily a masterpiece in the literary world as well. Stephen King's short novella is more than worth reading, and at only a 100 pages you could probably read it in less time than it would take to watch the movie.
And, of course, if you've seen it before, are a fan, or even if you already own a DVD copy, let me assure you that it is worth reliving all over again thanks to Blu Ray.
"
Great movie
kimbo | 08/30/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've seen this one several times and finally bought it to keep at home. Great story, great ending, great actors."