Fox recently remastered a couple of perennial favorites from their catalog, 'Cocoon' and 'Commando', with somewhat mixed results. Both films were shot flat and the new transfers are matted to 1.85:1, but the level of improvement varys between the discs.
The new transfer of 'Cocoon', with the exception of the matting, looks very similar to the previous full screen transfer. Much of the film exhibits a mild haze of grain that one must conclude is in the film elements. Colors are marginally stronger and I also detect a slight improvement in the level of detail. I do prefer the more rectangular framing of the matted transfer. To my eye, the compositions look more balanced. Audio quality seems about on par with the previous (digital) disc, which was already pretty decent in that department. The new disc also has the benefit of chapter encoding, with 24 markers for the 117 minute film. The side break is, as best I can recall, the same as the previous disc. List price is $39.95. Recommended for the true devotee of the film or the completist.
'Commando', on the other hand, looks like a brand new movie. Though the previous transfer was not really that bad, the new one is clearly superior. Colors are solid and accurate with no bleeding or chroma noise. Excellent contrast and brightness, as well as a big improvement in the level of detail, gives this new transfer a much nore natural look. The image is always clear and clean and the 1.85:1 matting improves the compositional balance, as well. Audio quality is, like 'Cocoon', similar to the previous disc, though I recall the previous transfer contained an audible high frequency hiss that I did not detect in the new transfer. The 90 minute film has been generously chapter encoded with 25 markers. Fox has opted to not include a trailer with either of these films. List for 'Commando' is $39.95. A definite upgrade for Schwarzenegger fans.
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