Another in my continuing disc mini reviews:
Moonraker on LD has the same kind of noisy ugly looking video as TSWLM. I don't know why these do, as it's not either of my players, the CRT, or even other discs in the same series. Some look good, some do not. Odd since Moonraker is the most lavishly produced of all.
Side 3 is CAV and improves slightly for the last 16 minutes.
But the color balance is so spot on with browns, yellows, and 70's era beige that even the bluescreen sequences like the cable car fight and the waterfall don't stick out quite so badly. And it does appear filmic on a properly calibrated monitor.
The biggest draw and a very welcome surprise is the audio. I have watched this film since I was a child, and never in any incarnation from hi-fi VHS to DD stereo to the 5.1 remixes have I heard Moonraker sound this good. Sure it's still early matrixed surround, but this time it was officially in Dolby Stereo. Barry's largely forgotten score is incredible in its fidelity. Sounds like listening to the soundtrack CD at points if not better because it doesn't have the same EQ or edits. Effects sound nice and punchy with some decent use of the mono surround channel, odd for a 1979 film that wasn't fully VFX driven. (Check out the centrifuge sequence. Whoosh!!) Dialogue is very clear and mainly centered with a little bit of occasional panning across the front channels. Slight natural hiss is present during quiet moments. This would have been interesting in 70mm.
The print source utilized is largely clear with the occasional speckle every once and a while. There's the rare damage mark scattered throughout.
I just wish the video was better. Looks like I do indeed need the rare expensive THX version. Grrr. But the audio sounds like a direct transfer off master material. I demoed sequences with mixing headphones and it has a fullness that is brilliant.
Video-5 maybe 6 out of 10 for the format
Audio-10 out of 10 for format and sound system of the era.
Why is it I only see the good in Moonraker? Maybe I watched the film too many times and mentally ignored the Bondola complete with double taking pigeon.
I will return with Octopussy, which when initially demoing had a far better picture than MR and possibly a slightly cropped ratio.
I'm now down to needing only LALD, LTK reissue, GE DTS, TND DTS, NSNA and the Criterions.
And the Goldfinger CAV box.
And the 6 THX editions.
And the supposedly uncut Japanese LTK.
And the recalled LALD.
And the Japanese TWINE.
;)