Most Open Matte releases are simply "pan & scan" disasters from the DVD era. However, the 2009 Fast & Furious is a unique case. Director Justin Lin shot the film with a specific visual flair that benefits enormously from the extra vertical space.
In the standard 2.35:1 Blu-ray, the action feels tight. But in the Open Matte 1.78:1 version:
Crucially, this is not a "cropped" version of the widescreen; it is more information. For purists, having the full camera negative visible is a fascinating way to re-watch the film. Fast And Furious -2009- OPEN MATTE -1080p Web-D...
When Fast & Furious was re-released in select IMAX theaters, they often used the Open Matte print to fill the gigantic 1.43:1 or 1.90:1 screens. This Web-DL brings that IMAX-level vertical real estate into your living room. The cars feel taller. The cliff-side racing scenes feel more vertigo-inducing.
You can find Open Matte versions on old DVDs (in standard definition), but the holy grail is the 1080p Web-DL. Most Open Matte releases are simply "pan &
A Web-DL (Web Download) is a video file sourced directly from a streaming service (like iTunes, Amazon, or Netflix in its early days). Unlike a Blu-ray rip (BDRip), a Web-DL is not re-encoded by a pirate group using unpredictable settings. It is a direct, untouched stream copy.
Here is why the Web-DL version of the Open Matte is superior to a Blu-ray: Crucially, this is not a "cropped" version of
Because this is a niche format, you will see many fakes or upscales claiming to be Fast And Furious -2009- OPEN MATTE -1080p Web-DL. Here is how to verify authenticity: