Like most laserphiles, I get really irritated when I pluck down my hard-earned cash for a supposedly-definitive edition of a laserdisc, only to learn of a subsequent "special" edition. The new edition, of course, makes the previous one obsolete, and the thinking behind this marketing ploy is often plain and simple greed. It’s gotten to the point where devoted laserdisc fanatics are understandably reluctant to upgrade to a newer edition.
Well, fellow laser buffs, hesitate not at the sensational new reissue of 'Die Hard'. Fox’s previous widescreen edition was, I think, their first letterboxed disc. It was a nice try, and any fan of this instant action classic could at least appreciate seeing the film letterboxed (as opposed to the horribly panned-and-scanned cassette, which is still one of the worst film-to-tape transfers in video history). But I always felt that the colors were off and that the image was fuzzy (e.g. the opening credits created a "bleeding" effect that fogged-out the image). And I always suspected that the letterbox ratio wasn’t perfect. This, plus a poorly-timed break between sides 1 and 2, diminished my overall enjoyment of the disc (however, I always felt the sound was very good).
This new THX 'Die Hard' rates a "yippie-chi-yay!" salute. It blows the first edition away as a side-by-side comparison between the old and the new makes it abundantly clear. The new image is razor sharp (you’ll immediately notice that the credits have been sharpened considerably; they no longer "bleed" onto the rest of the image) and the flesh tones are dead-on accurate (the old version was over-saturated with blues and reds). And I was satisfied to discover than my hunch all along was correct: the letterboxing on the old version was not perfect. The new image is a bit wider, revealing a smidgeon of additional picture information at the top, and restoring substantial picture information to the sides of the image. The abrupt side break on the first edition has been re-timed, occurring now a few scenes later (and it doesn’t interrupt a music cue anymore). The disc switch break has also been re-timed, to accommodate a CAV-encoded side 3. The timing on the first edition was less distracting, but given the advantages of the CAV finale, I’ll not gripe too much.
But the sound—ah, the sound!--instantly makes this title a serious competitor with 'Jurassic Park' and 'Clear and Present Danger' as one of the best-sounding laserdiscs. If the sound level of the old edition peaked at about a level of 8 (on a scale of 1 to 10), this new edition jumps right off the scale. The sound scheme is essentially the same, with the same directional and surround effects, but the new edition is far cleaner, more dynamic, more powerful, more room-shaking.
Following the film, Fox Video has included the trailer—this is the same trailer for the film that was included after the original widescreen release of 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' except the narrator’s voice is different (wimpier) here; the 'Die Hard' trailer on the old 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' disc is better than the new one here. Also included is the second teaser trailer for 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' (there were a total of 3 trailers for 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' in 1990; hopefully the other two will find their way onto the upcoming THX reissue of 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder'.)
No self-respecting laser buff should pass on the opportunity to upgrade to this new THX edition. The challenge will be to find a willing sucker to buy your old copy. Either that, or give the set away as two fancy coasters or frisbees. The bottom line is that this new version of 'Die Hard' is well worth it. And if this is what we can all expect from the THX rerelease of 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' then I’m already a willing buyer. Bravo, Fox!
Vital statistics: Fox Video; 3 sides; CLV/CAV; Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); Stereo Surround; THX; AC-3; Chapter stops; $49.95.
S. Damien Segal.
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