The first two reviews that I (and 2099 net)
can find of a R1 copy of Mary Poppins are
now available at the following links.
http://dvdtown.com/review/marypoppins40 ... ee9de89298
http://www.dvdmg.com/marypoppinsse.shtml
Evidently the reviewers like the movie itself,
but are not as pleased as we might have expected about the new DVD incarnations.
Both have mentioned being displeased with the enhanced home theatre mix, and both have mentioned completlely different sound track inclusions. One mentions that the Original 2.0 Stereo Track is included, and one mentions that the 5.1 mix from the original Mary Poppins DVD's are included here. One says he can't tell the difference between the two. As far as picture goes they both also complain about edge enhancement and haloing and softness. (These three things don't usually go hand and hand.) There is also some mention of grain which is quite possible.
Sounds like there might be room for more improvement for the next HD-DVD release.
They mention that the picture is better than the last DVD's, but neither one of them seem to be aware that a restoration was done for this DVD print, and I don't think they even know the picture has been touched up by Lowry Digital.
(Which may be a VERY bad thing...)
However, both reviews give high praise for the bonus features and
one reviewer mentions the slipcover is made of a metallic foil material.
Sounds cool to me!!! (Although it's kind of what I pictured anyway...)
Hopefully these reviewers don't know what they are talking about,
and that it's still as great as I'm hoping for!
Check it out while you wait for December 14th to roll around!