The "Reprint/Re-Release" debate-how do you feel?
- Thread starter digitalbabe
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Thumbs down - I've said it before in other threads - I'd rather retailers / studios focus on new releases or catalog releases that don't have steelbooks already.
I think a habit of reprinting steelbooks will lead to less sales overall - as if we can come to expect reprints of titles, there's no incentive for buyers to pay a premium price for when it first comes out.
Part of the appeal, for me, is the thought that it might be limited and / or harder to get at a later point.
I think a habit of reprinting steelbooks will lead to less sales overall - as if we can come to expect reprints of titles, there's no incentive for buyers to pay a premium price for when it first comes out.
Part of the appeal, for me, is the thought that it might be limited and / or harder to get at a later point.
I'm not for re-releases but I'm not completely against them. I think it allows some people to get steelbooks at affordable prices, but it also destroys certain steelbook values. I think studios lean the way of re-releasing titles because they aren't too concerned in what steelbooks go for in the after market, as it doesn't help their bottom line. The biggest no no though, is re-releasing titles using the same exact art work as the original release (I am Legend Canada).
I know and understand how you feel but for the ones arriving late is lets call lucky, this is one important point on why I have been 3 months Steel dry, and the question is, being this a very expensive and fragile hobby, worth the money & risk to have a 1/2 year re print/release?
The exception seems to be on the IM (FS) that hold against the worldwide IM2 steele release.
I'm not going to lie, I'm very happy for the Underworld Trilogy re print, hope I can go for it.
The exception seems to be on the IM (FS) that hold against the worldwide IM2 steele release.
I'm not going to lie, I'm very happy for the Underworld Trilogy re print, hope I can go for it.
It would be less of a slap in the face, if they didn't LESSEN the quality in some cases of the reprint. 
For example, some of the steelbooks that I really coveted getting when they first came out (directly from the retailer) - I think they have gone to crap because of the reprint done on the cheap.
Obviously it's cheaper for the retailer in general (in this case amazon.de) to have a steelbook with a PRINTED FSK logo and NO inside artwork. And to print a bunch of them.
I don't care about secondary market value, it's more about the fact that I paid a premium from the retailer when the movie was first released to get a steelbook edition that had all the bells and whistles.
I feel like they just crapped all over the first designs of the Hangover and Sherlock Holmes steelbooks by issuing reprints.
It lessens the appeal for me, as a collector - if I was in this hobby to not spend my extra $$ on a quality product, I'd be buying amaray cases.
If they keep going this way, they are going to force me to not buy steelbooks when they first come out - especially for titles that could likely garner a reprint 6 months down the road.
For example, some of the steelbooks that I really coveted getting when they first came out (directly from the retailer) - I think they have gone to crap because of the reprint done on the cheap.
Obviously it's cheaper for the retailer in general (in this case amazon.de) to have a steelbook with a PRINTED FSK logo and NO inside artwork. And to print a bunch of them.
I don't care about secondary market value, it's more about the fact that I paid a premium from the retailer when the movie was first released to get a steelbook edition that had all the bells and whistles.
I feel like they just crapped all over the first designs of the Hangover and Sherlock Holmes steelbooks by issuing reprints.
It lessens the appeal for me, as a collector - if I was in this hobby to not spend my extra $$ on a quality product, I'd be buying amaray cases.
If they keep going this way, they are going to force me to not buy steelbooks when they first come out - especially for titles that could likely garner a reprint 6 months down the road.
Yeah but in the case of The Hangover those who got in at the very beginning got some WITHOUT the manufacturing defect. (Me 
) and then there is the ugly reprint ... For any true fan of this movie, I think that original with no defect would be highly sought after.
) and then there is the ugly reprint ... For any true fan of this movie, I think that original with no defect would be highly sought after.Yeah but in the case of The Hangover those who got in at the very beginning got some WITHOUT the manufacturing defect. (Me
If they had framed it as "we did a reprint because of the quality issue with the first run", and then they pulled the original product, I'd have different feelings about it.
I had forgotten about the defect with some of the Hangover steelbooks - my point is though - all things being equal and with no manufacturing defects - the first run of many of these steelbooks are head and shoulders above the reprint.
But why bother paying $30+ for a steelbook edition, when the reprint comes out @ $16? At that point, I start looking at other editions of the movie that are truly limited.
IE - digibooks or whatever
I agree Andy-as I've remarked in other threads, I really don't like "reprints" and "reissues". Part of the appeal of collecting Steelbooks (or any "limited" item) at all, is the "hunt" and adding them to your collection before they go OOP. I don't really care about future value, especially not, as the entire media delivery mechanism is changing faster than ever. However, for now, as I still prefer packaged media over downloads, it would be nice if they left it at the 1st run. The way it is now, with all of the "Waves"-especially re-issues, and multiple releases of the same movie vs. new titles, the fun of the urgency has been removed and it kind of takes the wind out of the "exclusivity" for me.
I can completely understand the "new" collector being excited about reprints, or re-releases, especially given some of the outlandish third party prices on Ebay, and elsewhere. It allows others a chance to own the film in a Steelbook, regardless of which release it is. Many other collectors that had the chance to buy 1st editions at the actual cost, not inflated third party prices, know and appreciate how this feels.
But for those that have owned them for a few years, and then see an edition reprinted, with little or no difference, it adds an asterisk to the hobby, that says:
*Limited
* Until we decide that there is "still" demand, and we'll just make another, and not put any effort into the art or design for the second one. We're just milking it, as new collectors come on board.
Oh well, on to mordor, but I really hope we see more new releases, and not the same regurtitated titles and art from former DVD releases and titles already released in Steelbook format, multiple times....
I can completely understand the "new" collector being excited about reprints, or re-releases, especially given some of the outlandish third party prices on Ebay, and elsewhere. It allows others a chance to own the film in a Steelbook, regardless of which release it is. Many other collectors that had the chance to buy 1st editions at the actual cost, not inflated third party prices, know and appreciate how this feels.
But for those that have owned them for a few years, and then see an edition reprinted, with little or no difference, it adds an asterisk to the hobby, that says:
*Limited
* Until we decide that there is "still" demand, and we'll just make another, and not put any effort into the art or design for the second one. We're just milking it, as new collectors come on board.
Oh well, on to mordor, but I really hope we see more new releases, and not the same regurtitated titles and art from former DVD releases and titles already released in Steelbook format, multiple times....
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The way I look at it is, I collect movies in general as a hobby. I'm known through my friends and family that I have that "illness.". I love to replace a run of the mill movie with some sort of collectors or steelbook edition not only because it's cooler but because it's limited. That being said, I only like the reprints when it is financially in my favor for the coolness factor, not the worth. However I collect comics as well and what a real collector goes through for that one special book, makes it worth more to them. So, for me at least, I'm very much a "first print" kind of person.
Sometimes the journey means more than the destination.
Sometimes the journey means more than the destination.
imho if they are going to the bother of reissuing a Steelie then they mustn't do the same artwork. Do something creative, innovative. That way you'll make collectors want not just the first but also the second reissue. Doesn't matter if the artwork has been used around the world on a first run, there's likely as not something that will distinguish it as say DE (2nd run)
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Hmm, well as a new collector I do appreciate being able to pick up deleted titles again, but I can understand how annoyed people must be at this. As far as I am concerned, if a manufacturer says something is limited, then it should be exactly that - limited. I think the fairest way to do this - if they are planning to do a reprint later on - is to make sure that the first edition is different, or in some way special. For example it could be embossed, and/or numbered, or come with a bonus disc of extras or a soundtrack CD or something. Basically, something that will ensure that the original remains exclusive but still gives those that missed out the chance to own something other than a basic Amaray. A perfect example of this was the German Death Race Blu-ray - the original release came in an embossed G2 case which then quickly sold out and shot up in price. The company then released another run in a non-embossed G1 case. I'm happy because I could get the film at a fraction of the price of the original pressing, and the collectors are happy because it was different enough to not affect the collectibillity of the original.
What is really starting to annoy me is the amount of films being released that have already had one or more DVD Steelbook releases, especially when they are just recycling the original artwork. Quite often the original DVD release even looks better, especially when the Blu has that horrid blue ribbon slapped across the top
. Also, do we really need yet another release of Iron Man, 300, Batman, Transformers etc. C'mon, there are literally thousands of cool films crying out for the Steelbook treatment!
What is really starting to annoy me is the amount of films being released that have already had one or more DVD Steelbook releases, especially when they are just recycling the original artwork. Quite often the original DVD release even looks better, especially when the Blu has that horrid blue ribbon slapped across the top
. Also, do we really need yet another release of Iron Man, 300, Batman, Transformers etc. C'mon, there are literally thousands of cool films crying out for the Steelbook treatment!
As i have recently stopped collecting these im not too bothered about reissues ect, 6 months ago i had all the rare titles apart from john rambo which i never really cared for. I quit after i got every title i wanted and now i only collect UK steelbooks and ones i know ill watch again. If i was still a collector with these re isssues coming out i think id throw in the towel as the collection would feel a bit tainted and not so special anymore if you know what im trying to say here lol 
Not a fan of re-releases. I can understand a separate release in a different regional market, but, not in the same market with the same artwork. It ruins the idea of collecting and limited/special edition. A good example of this would be the new Sherlock Holmes being released in Japan on steelbook. This I believe is there first Sherlock Holmes release on steelbook and the artwork is different from that of the 1st release Germany release. I am quite okay with that. As some one else mentioned the Underworld trilogie is a perfect example what Im NOT okay with as its the same damn release all over again with same artwork in the same region.
Its as simple as that for me. Re-realeses and G1 releases STINK! lol.
Its as simple as that for me. Re-realeses and G1 releases STINK! lol.
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