Universal Classic Monsters Collection 2 4K Review | Icons of Horror
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- čas přidán 11. 10. 2022
- THE MONSTERS ARE HERE! Mummy, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Creature From the Black Lagoon have just landed on 4K from Universal! In this review, we discuss the legacy of these icons of horror and how they look on the 4K UHD format!
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Icons of Horror: Universal Monsters • Icons of Horror: Unive...
Universal Classic Monsters Vol. 1 with JB: • Universal Monsters on ...
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The Universal Monsters is not only what got me into horror but cinema in general. I used to watch these Saturday afternoon in the 70’s on KTLA’s Monster Rally. I started noticing directors names, especially the great Jack Arnold. Not only did he direct The Creature but I started to notice his name on episodes of Gilligan’s Island and The Brady Bunch. I hope they release the sequels as well.
Absolutely great review because the truth is that the "step up" from the Blu-ray to 4K is going to be incremental, not earth-shaking!
At 86 years of age, it is interesting I am with you (young guy!) on everything you say.
Yes, our whole Halloween celebration is based upon these early movies, coming when they did.
I remember my first Frankenstein rubber mask and the joy of Halloween in my youth!
These movies are cultural icons!
Thank you for your comments! It's always great to hear the wisdom and experiences of the original monster generation!
@@CerealAtMidnight The original monster kids! Back when they watched classic Universal black and white movies on black and white tvs! "Watch horror films. Keep America strong!"
I was obsessed with classic universal monsters as a kid and loved getting the toys as well. I'm 32 and still love watching many of these every October. Thanks for the review!
I recently purchased and just started watching the Blu-ray collection of all 30 films. It's a beautiful set. Highly recommend.
I bought the Blu-ray box set of all the legacy collections last year and I was amazed at the jump from DVD to those blu-rays!
Got to enjoy the '43 Phantom in the cinema as a newly struck 35mm print & the colors were amazing!
Picked up some static-free sleeves just for this set. Had to replace the first volume with the 4K steelbooks because the box set version kept scratching the discs.
I absolutely love my big Universal Monsters blu-ray set, and have been curious on the 4Ks. Think I'll stick with that set for now, but very tempted on the 4Ks. Thank you for this video, one reason why I love your channel.
Excited for this, but agree w/ you about Phantom.
Great review Heath! I picked up the first set and pre-ordered the second from Gruv. I used my 20% off coupon so got them for $38 and $44. Both of them came in excellent condition and are incredible. I did take my discs out of the cardboard sleeves and put them in double Blu-ray cases. Of course I had to copy the artwork and put them on the cover of each case!
Good call on putting them in your own case! I'm not a fan of any packaging that touches the discs or forces you to slide something repeatedly.
I had the opportunity a couple of weekends ago to see The Mummy and The Bride of Frankenstein on the big screen through a special Regal showing. I suspect that they are highlighting the 4k releases because they will also be showing The Phantom of the Opera and The Creature from the Black Lagoon later this month and were also advertising this second volume.
I was giddy to see these two films on the big screen and seeing the original 8 monster films in cinemas is way up on my bucket list! I also picked up on details I had never noticed before (I hadn't noticed before that Karloff's creature sheds a tear at the end of the film when we pulls the lever destroying the lab and castle). I've seen the main 8 entries innumerable times over the years and what I found most shocking (and slightly infuriating) was that The Mummy contained new music score elements and sound effects that were jarring and seemed out of place. In the early scene were Karloff "goes for a little walk" from his sarcophagus for example, the new music seems like it isn't mixed well with the dialog and drowns it out. I also found this frustrating as the lack of score and stark silence in the original really adds to the anxiety and fear of that scene.
Does the 4k release mention anything about this? Is this version on the 4k disc also have this added music and sounds? I have mixed feelings now about possibly picking these up. Unless they have the option to watch with or without the new music - much like the older DVD version of Dracula had with the new score by Phillip Glass.
I've heard some people complaining about additional music and sound effects at the Fathom Events screeings, but I don't think they're using these new transfers. I haven't seen those Fathom prints so I can't say for sure, but what I've heard from some others who saw those screenings is that those new elements aren't on these 4Ks, they were just in the theatrical event prints.
The films and the commentaries are magnificent. I. never get tired of them..I will definetly get the 4K
Wish I could afford to step up to 4k.
Owned several of these movies on film prints, Beta,VHS, CED, Laser, DVD & Blu-ray. If I could only keep my streak going!
So glad you mentioned Gruv, Universal's official disc store. I have used them in past year and very, very satisfied. All standard shipping is free with no minimum purchase required. I just received The Thing 4k and with standard free shipping it took exactly 5 days, price was 13.99. The site has ongoing sales of some type every day.
Are they releasing these on standard bluray too? I got the first set on bluray and don't want to upgrade it to 4K
love these!!! they are my favorite monster movies. Some of them are not as good as the first ones but they still have some nostalgic feeling on them. Certainly upgrading my discs to the 4k!
D'you know what? I have been agonising and agonising over whether to upgrade to these 4Ks from my blu rays for AGES. I love these movies, and these new 4K sets are soooo tempting. What has made me hesitant, though, is that I have heard that the Dracula 4K does not look as good as the blu ray. What do YOU think?
I think the Dracula 4K looks better than the Blu-ray, mostly for the increased contrast from the HDR and for the finer detail. The scene where we first meet Dracula as he emerges from his coffin and the camera zooms in on him gave me goosebumps. His cloak is so dark on the 4K, it's like we're being swallowed by him.
That's very reassuring to know. Thanks for that. I may well be tempted now to purchase both of these 4K sets, as I absolutely LOVE these movies. Great channel, by the way. I love watching each new video you post up, and admire your deep enthusiasm and knowledge of movies. Keep up the good work.
Awesome! I am fast succumbing to the temptation to buy these two 4K Universal sets. My bank account will, of course, suffer!
@@Truegho I agree with Heath's comment above. I picked up the initial 4 movies in 4k and was amazed at how good they looked. The previous Universal mega Blu ray set was very very very good but after you watch these 4ks you'll think of the old Blu rays as GREY and white films whereas these 4k editions are delicious inky true BLACK and white films and look stunning.
Dracula in 4K is incredible. Maybe whoever told you that wasn’t expecting the amount of film grain?
Nice to see in your review the little statues that came with the DVD set so many years ago. I reviewed that very DVD set on my podcast in a Halloween special many years ago. I have been debating on whether to upgrade to 4K or just get the regular blu-ray of these movies. What do you think is the better way to go when it comes to upgrading?
If you want all the monster movies, I say spring for the 30-movie collection. If you want the best quality for the core 8 films, I say get these. Really, I think there's a good argument for having both.
Kinda surprised that you haven't mentioned Umbrella Films Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale yet !
Excellent as usual, Heath. THANKS! As far as double dipping on these, well, I'm still on the fence, because, you're right, the bluray transfers are already really good. May I ask, where did you get your little monsters head busts? I think that would make a cool addition to my horror section movie shelf.
The busts came in a DVD gift set of the Universal Monsters movies way back in 2004!
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I bought the individuals for set one today. I'll see you in a year set 2 films!
Great coverage of what looks like a great set. However, I'm holding off on ordering, as Black Friday is coming up and this set may be included in those sales.
Sounds like these look great, but for now I'm gonna stick with the 30/31 film blu collection for now. If they update that collection to 4K I'm definitely all in!
I Love these movies and talking about them so much.The 1931 Bela Lugosi Dracula is my favourite version,but the 1931 Spanish one pushes it close.At Halloween I love a run of these and it's Universal Sequels,along with the Frankenstein and Wolfman originals and follow ups.I do watch the original Boris Karloff Mummy movie but I really wouldn't go beyond that one as I found its sequels poor.This looks a great 4K set it's great to see these movies still being loved by all us horror fans.
Thanks for this, I got the Blu Ray and I'm sticking with em', I wish more reviewers would just tell some info on the included Blu Ray in 4k reviews as I don't have a 4k set up but I do buy some of latest sets for remastered blu's...
I have been buying these movies since they were released on VHS decades ago, bought several of them on Laserdisc, bought some on DVD, received the DVD box set with the figurines as a gift, received the first blu ray release as another gift, bought some and finally bought the Blu ray box set for my nephew. Compared the LD of Frankenstein meets the Wolfman to the DVD, contrast was better but picture was darker. Blu ray was stronger overall, but contrast closer to the LD than the DVD. Curious about the 4K, but wondering what is really closer to the theatrical print?
I really want them to make steelbooks of these like they did for the last 4K volume last year. It’s really annoying my OCD self rn lol
High high on my list to get.
I was skimming through Creature and was really impressed but I noticed an issue. Toward the end when they’re in the cave, whenever the camera pans and follows someone moving quick, the background gets pixelated.
Awesome review. I thought Bride of Frankenstein was too dark but, it's probably my tv. It's not a high-end 4K television. It's an economy one. However, I am glad to have these on 4k Blu-ray
In the UK we only got the basic. No books or anything think else but still costs £60.
I’m currently reading the original Dracula book, I want to start watching more of the classic monster movies 😊
I am definitely on the fence with these releases. I have the complete collections on dvd and definitely love having all the movies with the same monster. These individual movies are kind of a bummer to me. But if they put out a Creature from the Black Lagoon collection in 4k I'd pick that up.
Glad to hear the good word as Universal horror films are among my favorites. I don't know about you but I have had issues with Universal's original Monsters blu-ray set (Creature skipped and locked up) and then later with two of the earlier Monster DVD sets (bad discs altogether) . Universal's customer service never corrected the issues so I am wary of rushing out paying top dollar for their product. A shame as it taints a lifelong love affair with their Monster films.
great review....btw,i would LOVE Dracula's Daughter in 4k.
YEEEEESSSS
I love these Movies they are The best black and white Monster Films ever made that are great to watch on Halloween and after I can't wait to get all of Them on 4k they will look Fantastic for Me on 4k I love the apostrophe and story and special make up of these Movies I love The Documentaries and Commentaries on these Movies to I rate Them 10/10 5 Stars
I have all of the Universal monsters on DVD but these look tempting. What I question is why not a boxed set of each? Like all the Frankensteins or Draculas? Why this mix? Anyway good showing and cool video Heath!👉😃👈
Dracula has always been my favorite of the bunch, but The Mummy has slowly become my second favorite.
Loved the previous 4 and they made the previous fantastic universal Blu rays look like GREY and white films....whereas these are true dark deep black. Inky and rich with evil horrific shadowy darkness. I grabbed the very beautifully designed Zavvi steelbooks for those (already had the big Blu ray box set so figured the steelbooks would be a nice addition in justifying the 4k upgrade lol). I hope these 4 get a similar treatment but otherwise I'll just get the set you demonstrated here as I think it will be worth the upgrade if Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman and Mummy were anything to go by.
Italian soundtrack and subtitles on all four films?
Yep! I copied this from Blu-ray.com
Audio
The Mummy 4K
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 2.0 Mono
Spanish: DTS 2.0 Mono
German: DTS 2.0
Italian: DTS 2.0
The Bride of Frankenstein 4K
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 2.0 Mono
German: DTS 2.0
Italian: DTS 2.0
Phantom of the Opera 4K
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS Mono
Spanish: DTS Mono
German: DTS Mono
Italian: DTS Mono
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Creature from the Black Lagoon 4K
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 2.0 Mono
Spanish: DTS 2.0 Mono
German: DTS 2.0
Italian: DTS 2.0
Subtitles
English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Mandarin (Simplified), Norwegian, Swedish
Do they plan on releasing stand alone editions like they did with the first set? Want Bride but not crazy about the rest since I do have them on blu ray and like you say Heath they look great.
No singles have been announced, but since the individual movies from volume 1 were just released one year later, it seems likely that these will get individual releases this time in 2023.
Is this set getting released to stores. I looked at two different Best buys and a FYE and no one has it.
It should be, but there may be some supply chain issues.
@@CerealAtMidnight
Hopefully that's the case and it comes out. You're the only one online that I follow that has received it. Also prices are wild there's two different prices I've seen at Best buy online and trying to order through the store but they say they can't order through the store. Anywhere from $90 to like 73. And then you saying you got it for like around 50 something.
As much as I know some folks are resistant to the idea, our hobby has pretty much turned into an online-only business. There's just no way for stores to stock everything coming out in brick and mortar anymore. I've been really impressed with GRUV, and their prices are often lower than anyone else on new Universal releases, since they're cutting out the middle man.
Love the mini busts! where did you buy them from?
Many years ago, they were part of a box set with the Universal Monsters DVDs. I believe this was around the time of Stephen Sommers' Mummy movies.
@@CerealAtMidnight Just looked them up on Ebay here in Australia and there are a couple of sellers from overseas's but the postage is the killer :(
I was conflicted I paid $20 a piece for the first 4 with slips they are gorgeous, and I just got this collection on sale for $35, and even the individual cost me $80 I’ll be sending back the box set I hate those box sleeves
Does the HDR make a difference?
Yep, I believe that's where the true blacks and higher contrast is coming from.
Where wolf? There wolf 😂
There castle.
I'm going to wait for the individual releases. I have no interest in buying movies in terrible packages like that. I really want to see The Mummy in 4K.
I wonder if they're going to ever do the sequels in 4K. I used to own them on DVD, so it would be nice to get them again.
I do wish there were some new special features. It was disappointing getting The Wolf-Man earlier this week and it was the same documentaries I watched on DVD 18 years ago.
What new special features would you like to see on classic movies like this that have been released multiple times? These discs have everything and the kitchen sink, including interviews with people long dead. Genuinely asking: what's left to add?
Not sure, really. For Dracula and Frankenstein, maybe a compare and contrast on the movies and the books. Maybe talk about what gave them the idea to use electricity for the monster when Shelley never gave a method in the book of how she gave life to the monster. I don't recall ever hearing them discuss that process in any other documentary.
Perhaps a feature on how a werewolf can transform multiple nights in a row when there is usually only one full moon each month. Did they just not know how the full moon worked back in the 40s or is there some ulterior power at work for this aspect?
One on how these movies are still impacting pop culture in the 2020s.
I'd also like to know why they gave Dracula a musical score, but not Frankenstein. WHat was the decision behind that one?
I really want to pick these up, but the cardboard sleeves are too big of a deterrent.
The only thing I'm wondering is if I should wait to see if there will be individual releases. I can't stand the cardboard sleeve packaging!
it's just a shame Universal keeps going with that god-awful packaging with those dreaded cardboard sleeves. I've already had to replace two discs from the first set because of skipping and freezing. I'm attributing that to the sleeves, which is fine for blu-rays, but 4k discs tend to scratch so easily. I think I'll wait for the individual releases in standard cases sometime next year.