The digitally restored and remastered version of
Oro Plata Mata is in stores now:
General Thoughts:
1. When compared to
the DVD re-release of Himala, the packaging of this disc is far superior. The front and back covers contain proper information on cast, crew, story, special features, and technical specs. I would have preferred an Amaray case, but it's on standard Star Cinema digipack packaging. At least it now has a proper hub for the disc, not just a foam stopper. One minor gripe: I wish their proofreader would have caught that the term is "remastered" and not "re-mastered." It just looks silly on the cover and spine.
2. The picture is widescreen anamorphic; it's a lot cleaner than the old release - no more debris and artifacts visible. Still not that sharp, though. I'm thinking maybe this was really how the film was shot. The audio is also significantly better than that of the previous release, which had issues with the sound being almost inaudible during a few scenes.
3. It has proper on/off subtitles.
4. The special features are interesting in that it has two audio commentaries, one by Peque Gallaga alone and another by Peque and some of the main cast (including Joel Torre, Cherie Gil and Fides Cuyugan-Asensio), and also two other features: Actual storyboards of the fight sequences in the film, and a scrolling version of Peque's original story treatment. I've never seen such features on a local disc before. I'd consider this a perfect release if they had included even a brief restrospective documentary. Too bad that they didn't film one, since they had assembled the cast together anyway for the commentary recording. Also, footage from the restoration premiere when the cast went up onstage before the film would have been a nice bonus.
On the whole,
Oro Plata Mata has never looked nor sounded better on home video. This is a must-have in my book.