Octopussy

The LD starts off right, with the original 1983 logos of MGM and the plain white text UA logo. Oddly both shift down into framing which recalls slightly what happens intermittently throughout Sides 1 and 2. If you look very carefully, the letterbox bar edges on the top and bottom of the frame will dance up and down ever so slightly, revealing and concealing a thin sliver of picture information. It's really easy to see in still frames. It's not on the CAV Side 3.

Picture is far improved over Moonraker, though they were made around the same time. The element utilized is cleaner and has little to no damage whatsoever. The final CAV side is clearer and more stable. Color is perfect, and it's nice to see even the ending escape of Kamal form the Monsoon Palace now properly timed again for sunrise.

The sound isn't as immediately impressive as Moonraker, but you quickly hear things you haven't before. Soundstage gets the biggest improvement with improved clarity in the mid and low range. The mono surround channel is very discretely used and tastefully done. There is some slight sound and dialogue panning. This definitely would have played well in 70mm like Moonraker. Another in the bests the 5.1 remixes category.

However, like my FYEO LD there is some slight crackling distortion that arises in the higher frequencies at various points. I don't know why this happens, as I've tried both discs on two different players and amps with the same result.

Picture: 7/10

Sound: 8/10