Batman: The Movie on HBO Max

[Kamdan]

I happen to come across Batman: The Movie on HBO Max to see if this transfer differed from the Blu-ray. I immediately went to the United World Security Council scenes, which have had noticeable framing issues reading the nations’ place cards since the first widescreen transfer on the DVD. They were different and this indicates that this is indeed a new transfer. I am noticing a new level of clarity in comparison to the Blu-ray, however I feel that it is less vibrant looking. I will need further clarification from other board members on what they think, but I would like to think that sometime in the future we may get a new 4K transfer with high dynamic range that may be a improvement, but I’m still disappointed that they still can’t get the framing right to make the joke work for the Council member speaking different languages. It really makes me hope that one day in the future we can just have a decent 4X3 version of the film.

Another indication that this is a new transfer is that the 20th Century Fox fanfare at the beginning has been replaced with the one they played in the 80’s. Not a fan of this decision.

[Ben Bentley]

I'm so glad you brought this up, i'm going to take a look!

Very intrigued as to why it has been re-scanned, I'm well aware that so much has changed in terms of resolution and cleaning techniques since they did the initial Blu Ray release for the movie, but the impetus to rescan isn't clear - I know a lot of people were bummed when the Steel Book was released a few years ago as it wasn't a 4K release like many of those are.

[BATWINGED HORNET]

Another indication that this is a new transfer is that the 20th Century Fox fanfare at the beginning has been replaced with the one they played in the 80’s. Not a fan of this decision.

What? You mean the then-new, early 1980s Fox fanfare composed by John Williams?

[Jimmy L. 66]

Where are you Citizens located? I cannot find this on HBO Max for the life of me.

[Ben Bentley]

Where are you Citizens located? I cannot find this on HBO Max for the life of me.

I had to search Batman 1966, Adam West as a search didn't bring it up.

[svl]

Just watched it, totally agree with the comments on a more muted tone. Not sure on the uptick in clarity- some scenes definitely appeared enhanced, but many seemed soft.

[Kamdan]

Another indication that this is a new transfer is that the 20th Century Fox fanfare at the beginning has been replaced with the one they played in the 80’s. Not a fan of this decision.

What? You mean the then-new, early 1980s Fox fanfare composed by John Williams?

It sounds exactly like this, but with the 60’s era logo. Another strange occurrence is that it sounded like this when I played it on Apple TV, but viewing it on my iPhone had the proper time appropriate fanfare.

[Jimmy L. 66]

I was able to find it on my phone with the mobile app. Weird.
But not on my tv app.