IMO the matte boxes ("garbage mattes") present a debatable gray area.
The problem is that modern digital media renders them MORE visible than they ever were on 35mm. I think you could make an argument for cleaning them up on the logic that it brings your "original" version closer to the 1970s theater experience.
And, just my opinion, but . . . if the garbage mattes had been this visible 40 years ago, I suspect the ILM guys would have take more measures to combat it back then. So I think it probably even matches the original creative intents to clean them up now.
This where slippery slopes start rolling.
The problem is that modern digital media renders them MORE visible than they ever were on 35mm. I think you could make an argument for cleaning them up on the logic that it brings your "original" version closer to the 1970s theater experience.
And, just my opinion, but . . . if the garbage mattes had been this visible 40 years ago, I suspect the ILM guys would have take more measures to combat it back then. So I think it probably even matches the original creative intents to clean them up now.
This where slippery slopes start rolling.