Actually, I've seen comparisons. That's only the R2 UK versions (Totoro, Whisper of the Heart) that are windowboxed. They look really washed out to, a very digital miniDV look. It seems to suggest the old dub is only available with the pan & scan Fox release.
http://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2498
http://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3822

Moth3r, how did you adjust the black levels? Did you just use simple photo software manually or something more sophisticated?