Also has mild contrast boosting and "sloppy grain removal" in the words of our "good friend" Kentai. Interesting article though

Kentai's Films: Fight The 3D Future

(I swear every time I go on his site though, it eventually crashes. This happen to anyone else?)

I'm guessing the contrast boosting is to counterbalance the light loss due to the 3D

No original novel included? I'm sure it would fit inside the steelbook

No way it would fit inside a steelbook. It's big.

I guess sarcasm doesn't really work on an internet forum :laugh:

Regarding your personal thoughts on 3D, I respect them, but as you can see, I used the word "experience"... and let me tell you, watching a movie like this in 3D in a packed theater with a Japanese audience is out of this world.

As for the better release, yes there is. The "problem" with Arrow´s Asian movies in HD is that they have the "White Wall" effect on the image. This and "Lady Snowblood" have a thin white layer making the image brighter and whiter.

It´s all part of the experience.

Like I said, 2D is the original and mandatory way to watch this, 3D is just an alternative experience and I´m glad I did watched this way also.

I don't really think the "whitewall" issue is an issue, because I don't know a single person that doesn't use Full RGB settings on their BD player. I don't know though, is there a bunch of players that don't support it? It also not limited to Arrow's asian release, Eureka's Master of Cinema releases, and the recent Third Window BD's also have the same greyscale.

Regarding the release, it's nothing but a cash grab aimed at steelbook collectors, and yet another in the new business model of Play.com flooding the market with "exclusive" steelbook BD's of every single film ever released. I have no doubts in my mind that if Arrow hadn't lost the rights for Dawn of the Dead, that'd be getting one as well.

On the other hand, it's 4000 guaranteed sales for Arrow, because the steelbook folk are already getting in a frenzy about it, so it's a nice cash injection for the business, and will hopefully lead to another marquee acquisition.

I for one won't be getting this as the AB transfer of this film is far superior as seen by the comparisons on dvd beaver (I can't post links put if you just google "battle royale dvdbeaver")

Guess i'll just have to wait for a new release, nice steelbook tho!

I've only recently bought the 3 disc edition and I'm not overly bothered about another copy, it does look nice though and I'm sure it'll be a big seller, meaning Arrow will have enough money to release some cracking titles next year

I was trying to work out if it was sarcasm or not. I guess I suck at it.