The controversy is not new, as similar reactions were observed when "Titanic" was released on LaserDisc and VHS after a state-of-the-art computer process was used to remove imperfections from the original negative. Some viewers praised the clean image, while others argued that the original imperfections should have been preserved. As home video formats continue to evolve, so do restoration tools, leading to ongoing debates about the balance between preserving originality and enhancing quality.
Key takeaways:
- Machine-learning technologies are being used in film restoration for new home video releases, including several of James Cameron’s films like “The Abyss,” “True Lies” and “Aliens”.
- These restorations have proved controversial, with many viewers objecting to their pristine new look, arguing that it looks strange and unnatural.
- The New Zealand company, Park Road Post Production, owned by filmmaker Peter Jackson, helped clean up Cameron’s films using the same proprietary machine-learning software used on Jackson’s documentaries.
- Despite the controversy, Geoff Burdick, a senior vice president at Lightstorm Entertainment, believes the restored versions of Cameron's films look the best they’ve ever looked.