Ultimate Jordan Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray release "Ultimate Jordan" suffers from inherent limitations due to its source material, which primarily consists of outdated television video tapes from the late 80s and 90s. Most of the footage, presented in 1.57:1 with a 1080i/AVC encode, lacks fine detail and often appears soft and smeary. Chromatic aberrations, aliasing, and ghosting are prevalent, detracting significantly from the visual quality. However, it is clear that the archival material looks as good as it probably ever will given the technological constraints of the time. Notably, there are no major encode errors or compression issues.

The overall quality varies across segments due to different time periods and recording technologies used. While the Finals footage from the late 90s shows some improvement, it still falls short of today's high-definition standards, with colors lacking vibrancy and details remaining obscured. The video tape noise and light bleeding common to older recordings further impact the visual experience. In stark contrast, Jordan's Hall of Fame speech from 2009 stands out with superior detail and clarity thanks to high-definition recording. Unfortunately, even though the segments are presented in 1080i, the constraints of past recording technologies make it feel like watching on an outdated 4:3 CRT television.

While the limited advancements in picture quality may mislead some buyers expecting a true high-definition experience due to packaging claims like "Remastered!" and "First time on Blu-ray!", it is important to recognize that this presentation remains true to its original source material. The benefit of Blu-ray in this case lies in its substantial storage capacity rather than enhanced picture quality. Therefore, while "Ultimate Jordan" may hold nostalgia value, it is ultimately constrained by the historical context of its production technology.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 presentation of "Ultimate Jordan" offers a faithful but technically constrained replication of the original material, prominently influenced by the recording equipment of the early eras. Dialogue and narration sometimes exhibit a slightly fuzzy or static-laden quality, especially during older game segments and certain interviews. However, all spoken content remains comprehensible without any fatal audio drop-outs, hisses, or overt crackles. Notably, the music accompanying the highlight reels—albeit dated and far from dynamically rich—maintains an acceptable level of presence.

As a straightforward stereo mix, all audio elements are routed through the front two speakers, encapsulating everything from dialogue to sound effects. This direct approach results in an audio experience devoid of modern frills but stays true to the original recordings. The sportscast announcing tends to sound mildly muffled, reminding us of the limitations of the source materials used. Additionally, noteworthy issues such as specific commercial segments popping and crackling are indicative of the aging process they have undergone. Without subtitle options, the package slightly disappoints, but given the era’s technological constraints, these shortcomings can largely be forgiven.

The extras on the "Ultimate Jordan" Blu-ray set bring a comprehensive package for any basketball enthusiast, offering an impressive array of content totaling approximately sixteen hours spread across different videos. Though the disc menus do not distinctly categorize bonus features, the gems are mixed in seamlessly with main content. With valuable historical content such as the Hall of Fame induction speech and a detailed profile in 'Michael's Great 8,' fans are treated to in-depth insights and memorable moments from Michael Jordan's career. While lacking traditional bonus features like commentary tracks, the disc compensates with robust and diverse video listings that make it a must-have for aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• Hall of Fame Speech: Michael Jordan’s iconic induction speech.
• Slam Dunk Contest Highlights: Essential moments from Jordan’s participation.
• Michael's Great 8: A profile outlining eight significant games from his career.
• The Making of Michael Jordan's Playground: Behind-the-scenes look at the production of this celebrated documentary.

The Blu-ray release of "Ultimate Jordan" by Image Entertainment is an essential compilation for any basketball aficionado. It chronicles Michael Jordan's unparalleled career through a mix of documentaries, highlight reels, and full-length game broadcasts. The set includes foundational works like "Above and Beyond," which delves into Jordan's psychological makeup during his 1993-1995 retirement and brief baseball career. This entry offers a nuanced look into the motivational aspects that drove MJ to redefine excellence in sports. Another standout is "His Airness," which encapsulates his career arc up to his (then second) retirement in 1999, enriched by numerous highlight clips that celebrate Jordan’s competitive spirit.

Further enriching the collection is "Air Time," which provides a detailed retrospective of the 1991-1992 championship seasons and Jordan's contributions to the Dream Team in the Barcelona Olympics. This documentary is more personalized, exploring not just his on-court prowess but also controversies like the infamous golf gambling accusations. In contrast, "Come Fly With Me" and "Michael Jordan's Playground" focus on the nascent stages of his career and personal hardships, respectively, with the latter mixing candid interviews and an inspirational storyline.

Moreover, the collection isn't just about the emotional and psychological facets; it extensively covers crucial games that underscore Jordan’s competitive genius. Pivotal matches like the 1986 Chicago vs. Boston Game 2 and the 1997 NBA Finals Game 5, known as "The Flu Game," are included in full, demonstrating his unmatched skill even under adverse conditions. The set is rounded out with additional features such as behind-the-scenes insights, Hall of Fame induction highlights, and tributes from fellow players and celebrities.

This Blu-ray collection meticulously curates Jordan’s journey from promising rookie to NBA legend, making it indispensable for fans eager to relive the moments that solidified his status as the greatest basketball player ever.

The "Ultimate Jordan" collection on Blu-ray is a nostalgic treasure trove for basketball aficionados, offering an extensive and heartfelt homage to Michael Jordan’s legendary career. This set is packed with numerous highlights, memorable performances, and iconic moments that define Jordan's impact on the sport. While the content remains unchanged from the DVD version, the marginal improvements in video and audio quality on Blu-ray bring a slight enhancement, though it’s limited by the historical nature of the footage. The presentation evokes memories of how games were originally broadcasted on television, which, while rough, imparts an authentic feeling to the viewing experience.

However, it's essential to note that due to the limitations of the original recording technology, fans hoping for modern HD clarity will be disappointed. The visual and audio fidelity is hamstrapped by the source material, creating a bittersweet reminder of a pre-HD era. Additionally, there is a bit of confusion regarding the special features; they are not distinctly separated or highlighted on the discs, making it challenging for users to discern what is supposed to be supplementary content.

In conclusion, if you already own the Ultimate Jordan collection on DVD, there is little incentive to upgrade to the Blu-ray version since the improvements in video and audio quality are minimal, and the content remains largely the same. But for those who have yet to experience this comprehensive tribute to one of basketball's greatest icons, this collection deserves strong consideration. The picture quality, though coarse, captures the essence of its time and won't get better than this. Recommended for any and all Jordan/Bulls/NBA enthusiasts.