XAvenger's stats
- Review count184
- Helpfulness votes243
- First reviewSeptember 6, 2007
- Last reviewJuly 5, 2015
- Featured reviews2
- Average rating5
- Review comment count3
- Helpfulness votes2
- First review commentSeptember 24, 2011
- Last review commentOctober 12, 2011
- Featured review comments0
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![Gojira: The Original Japanese Masterpiece/Godzilla, King of the Monsters [2 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7949/7949679_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
As I long-time Godzilla fan I was very excited about this DVD release, I was not disappointed at all. This DVD has the first (and arguably the best) Godzilla movie, both the Original Japanese movie and the heavily editied English version.
The Japanese version of Godzilla (original title 'Gojira') is a well-thought out and very dramatic movie boasting many exciting actions scenes. The sequence of Godzilla destroying Tokyo has many thrilling and a few terrifying moments. Yes it is a man in a monster suit crushing a miniature set, but the suit looks great and the set looks realistic. The sequence of a prayer for peace sung by a children's choir is positively heart rending.
It is not just action that makes this movie great, the acting is superb, as is the music. The movie also gives a nice expaination of how Godzilla came to life (a mutated dinosaur awakened by atomic testing), and in the context of the movie it makes perfect sense!
What could have been a forgetable B-movie is instead a masterpiece thanks to the work for four men: Tomoyuki Tanaka the creator and producer of Godzilla, Ishiro Honda the director of the movie, Akira Ifukube the composer and Eiji Tsuburaya the director of visual effects. It is thanks to them that Godzilla has remained popular for over fifty years.
The DVD restoration is one of the best I've seen. It looks almost as clear and fresh as a new movie with only one or two scenes where the age of the material is clear.
I am very happy this DVD includes the Original Japanese version, the US edit softened the movie's dramatic impact too much. The Original version is riveting but the English version does not grab you as much, and the scenes with Raymond Burr are obviously tacked on.
The original 'Gojira' is truly a highlight of Japanese cinema. If you are a sci-fi fan or a fan of Japanese cinema, then this movie is essential for you collection.
Godzilla Forever!
What's great about it: A classic that became a legend
What's not so great: English version
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Sakura Wars, The Movie: Music Collection (Original Soundtrack) [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5925/5925412_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
The Sakura Wars series (which has not gotten the recognition it deserves in the US) has always featured an excellent symphonic score by brilliant composer Kohei Tanaka and this CD features some fine symphonic tracks.
The series follows an elite secret team of mecha pilots who are members of a theatrical company when they are not batlling the forces of evil. There are some great battle themes that make the action scenes more exciting and some nice motifs for the movie's diverse cast of characters. Sakura Wars also has a history of great songs by the series voice cast and this CD has two superb songs. The first song 'Kiseki no Kane' (MIracle Bell) is a moving song by the main vocal cast sung for a Christmas show and there is a passionate duet by Chisa Yokoyama and Akiko Kuno that was also part of one of thier plays.
Sakura Wars boasts one of the most talented casts of voice actors in anime and I would have liked to have had a few more songs on this CD by the vocal cast (particularly by Chisa Yokoyama and Ai Orikasa). Still, this is one of the best anime soundtracks around. I recommend this to anyone who likes symphonic scores or anyone who wants to expand thier collection of anime soundtracks.
Top notch music!
What's great about it: Great music from a fantastic series
What's not so great: I would have liked more vocals
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero - Season 1, Part 1 [4 Discs] [1983]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/120ac5aa-5742-4e09-950c-236d861ddfce.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
Ever since I the first GI Joe miniseries on TV back in the mid-80's I've been wanting GI Joe in my video collection, now the series is on DVD and looking very good.
This DVD collection includes the first two GI Joe miniseries (A Real American Hero and The Revenge of Cobra) as well as the first twelve episodes of the daily series.
GI Joe follows the efforts of an elite Special Forces team as they fight to stop the terrorist organiztion Cobra from conquering the world. The series features a huge cast of characters (based on the action figures) and each character has his or her own personality and distinctive look. From Duke, the all-American hero, to the beautiful counter-intelligence agent Scarlett to the mysterious commando/ninja Snake Eyes.
Each episode has more action packed into a half-hour than many two-hour movies and the show runs at a fast clip. There's lots of cool characters and some very cool weapons and vehicles. There is also a good amount of humor from the character interactions and some great dialogue.
There are a few isolated scenes with sound and image problems, but these problems are not persistent. Shout Factory did an excellent job on the restoration, but there are a few places where the material shows its age.
For fun and excitement, GI Joe can't be beat! GI Joe is action-packed but not violent, so it is a good series for children.
For fun and excitement, GI Joe can't be beat! GI Joe is action-packed but not violent, so it is a good series for children.
Now you know. And knowing is half the battle.
What's great about it: Lots of action and lots of fun
What's not so great: A few minor source material issues
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Star Trek Voyager: Seasons 1-7 [47 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1404/14040879_sa.jpg)
This big box set contains every episode from the seven-season run of Star Trek: Voyager. Each episode is presented in the original broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Each season comes loaded with extra features, predominantly behind-the-scenes featurettes that cover various aspects of the show's production.
Posted by: XAvenger
This series follows the Starship Voyager as it makes its way from the other side of the Galaxy, 70,00 light years away, to home. Star Trek: Voyager does an excellent job of showing what you do against incredible odds, you do what you need to do to get the job done. It starts of with a Starfleet crew and a crew of rengades having to work together to overcome almost insurmountable odds. As things progress, the tension between the crews dimishes and they work together more comfortable, this theme of redemption continues throughout the series.
Voyager also boasts more action than most Trek series. There are more space battles and more action scenes than in Voyager's illustrious pre-decessors. Most of the adversaries are new alien races, but the Borg shows up in later seasons. All of the action scenes are exciting to watch thanks to Voyager's fine visual effects.
In the latter seasons, Voyager tells some of the best stories in the history of Star Trek, but the first couple seasons are hit and miss. There are a lot of good episodes in all seasons, but the first two seasons also have a few not so good episodes. But once Voyager hits its stride, it goes at warp speed!
Cool visual effects, lots of action, a new cast of alien races and some very well-thought out character development makes for an outstanding series. You'll be glad you signed on for this Voyage.
What's great about it: The whole series in one set
What's not so great: The first season or two are kinda hit and miss
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Transformers: The Complete First Season [25th Anniversary Edition] [3 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9351/9351774_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
I have been waiting for this one since before the first live-action movie hit theaters!
In this series, you see Optimus Prime, Megatron and the rest of the Transformers cast in thier original forms. And the focus on this series is more on the Transformers themselves than on the Human characters. Each episode moves at a fast and furious pace and features more than enough action and transformations to satisfy any Transformers fan. This series even features characters that have yet to appear in the live-action movies. Most notably the Dinobots, Autobots who transform into dinosaurs!
This is a great, and essential, addition to any Transformers fan's video library. If you watched the original cartoon (like I did), you can relive all the excitment of the original series. Transformers has lots of action, but it is not a violent series, so if you're thinking this is a good gift for children, you're thinking right!
There are a few issues with picture quality in a some scenes, owing to the age and quality of the source material. But overall the restoration staff did an exemplary job on bringing this back to original broadcast quality. This is probably the best quality we're ever going to see for this series.
Highly recommended!
What's great about it: See the Transformers that started it all
What's not so great: A few source material issues
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Blade Runner [4 Discs] [Collector's Edition] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8579/8579834_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
This is one of my all-time favorites.
Blade Runner follows a police officer named Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) assigned to terminate renegade androids. Much of the movie explores what it means to be Human. Whether or not being Human is just a matter of birth or if there is something more to Humanity is the main subject matter of Blade Runner.
Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) and Rachel (Sean Young) are both androids who act and feel more Human than some of the Human characters in Blade Runner, Roy Batty especially comes to the verge of becoming Human (metaphorically if not literally). As for Deckard, he comes to question whether or not he is doing the right thing and even questions his own Humanity. All three characters are brilliantly played by thier respctive actors, Rutger Hauer gives an Oscar caliber performance in his role and you come to feel for all three of them.
The visual effects are fantstic and draw you in to the dystopian world of Los Angeles in the not-to-distant future. The music by Vangelis is exceptional and his mysterious tones really set the feel of the movie.
This four disc set features the theatrical, director's cut and final cut of Blade Runner, I like the final cut the best. The DVD restoration and transfer is flawless, all scenes are clear and sharp with no trace of a blemish. There is also an extras disc with extensive documentries on the making and impact of Blade Runner.
Blade Runner does have violent content, a little too violent in one or two scenes, so I would not recommend this for children (the movie warrants its 'R' rating).
This is really one of the finest films ever to come out of Hollywood, no science fiction collection could be considered complete without Blade Runner.
What's great about it: One of the best movies ever made
What's not so great: A little to violent in some scenes
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Yojimbo/Sanjuro: Two Samurai Films by Akira Kurosawa [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8229/8229464_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
Akira Kurosawa is best known in the US for his samurai eipcs, and these are two of his best. 'Yojimbo' and 'Sanjuro' are part of the 'Chanbara' genre, and such films focus on action (the word 'Chanbara' is based on the sound of clashing swords). Both movies are played for humor rather than for drama.
These two films follow a drifter played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune. We never learn anything about his past and he identifies himself as 'Sanjuro' (probably not his real name).
In 'Yojimbo' (which means Bodyguard), he comes upon a small village plagued by to rival crime bosses. Sanjuro engineers various situations to bring the conflict to a head in an effort to get them to destroy one another. In 'Sanjuro', the sequel to 'Yojimbo', Sanjuro helps a group of samurai rescue thier kidnapped lord.
Both films feature exciting sword duels with Sanjuro against a large number of sword swinging enemies. The duels are all deftly executed featuring brilliant directing and fight choreography. All of the action scenes show Kurosawa's amaing skill with the camera. In addition to the exciting action scenes, there is a lot humor in both movies, ranging from dark humor to scenes of incompetent criminal henchmen and none too bright samurai.
Sanjuro himself is brilliantly portrayed by the great Toshiro Mifune, possibly one of the finest actors who ever lived. Mifune's screen presence is both electrifing and captivating.
The extras in both movies give some keen insights into the making of both films. 'Sanjuro' features a segment on how the sound effects were created and both sets of DVD extras have inerviews with cast and crew members and other Kurosawa contemporaries.
There are a few problems with the source material in a few places, but these problems are not persistent. The restoration process on both films was very well done, and the picture and sound is clear throughout all of both movies. But there are a couple scenes where the condition of the source material is apparent. This will not affect your enjoyment of either movie. These problems are just in a few isolated segments and not throughout.
I recommend this for fans of Kurosawa or of Japanese cinema in general as well as for fans of action movies.
What's great about it: Two of Akira Kurosawa's best samurai movies in one set
What's not so great: Some source material issues here and there
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Ah! My Goddess: Season 2 [4 Discs] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9117/9117207_sa.jpg)
Posted by: XAvenger
Ah! My goddess is based on the longest-running manga ever to be published in English.
This season picks up where the first season leaves off. Keichi and Belldandy are still living at the abandonded temple with Belldandy's sisters Urd and Skuld. And the romance between Keichi, an average college student, and Belldandy, a goddess, is still going strong. This season introduces a fourth goddess named Peorth, who does a good job of shaking things up a bit.
The story is of the same high-caliber as the first season and Ah! My Goddess continues to be one of the most emotionally rewarding anime around, exploring the whole range of emotion. The animation is brilliant and fluid and ranks among the best TV animation.
The focus, of course, is on the characters. From the kind-hearted Belldandy to the child-like Skuld to the more seductive Urd and Peorth. There are some suspensful episodes in this season, but it is emoitional suspense rather than physical peril.
If you are an anime fan, then this series is an essential part of your collection. If you are not an anime fan, I'd still recommend watching this series because it is so outstanding.
The only problem is that the English dub just does not measure up to the original Japanese version (as is always the case with dubs), so when you watch these DVDs make sure you set it up for Japanese dialogue and English subtitles. The original Japanese version features Kikuko Inoue, one of anime's finest voive actors, as Belldandy. Her Belldandy is perfect.
What's great about it: Great caracters, great stories, brilliant animation
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Kiki's Delivery Service [2 Discs] [DVD] [1989]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5371/5371527_sa.jpg)
Veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this buoyant children's adventure yarn about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest, 13-year-old Kiki sets out on a year-long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom, she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately, the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares. Soon she befriends a college-aged artist, an old women who fusses over her, and a boy her same age who is nursing a massive crush. All is well until she wakes up one day and realizes that she can't make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?
Posted by: XAvenger
This is my favorite Studio Ghibli movie! And Studio Ghibli has made some of the best animated feautres the silver screen has ever seen!
This movie is a coming of age tale that follows Kiki, a young witch, as she tries to make it in a new town. The focus of Kiki's Delivery Service is not on her magic but on the characters that populate the town where Kiki lives. Each character is very well-developed ands to the plot nicely. From Jiji, Kiki's long-suffering talking cat, to Tombo, a boy who immediately falls for Kiki, to Kiki herself a young girl who just happens to have some magical powers.
The animation is astounding and ranks with Disney as some of the best 2D cel animation ever to be produced. Everything is fluid and natrual looking and the backgrounds are like paintings by the great masters.
The English dub may have some good actors in it, but they are not of the same caliber as the origanl Japanese voice cast. Also, this movie was orginally made in Japanese, so the English cast was only a copy of the original performace.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes animation.
What's great about it: Very well-written, beautiful animation
What's not so great: English dub
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Learn more about Resistance 2 - PlayStation 3. (Flash demo) Humanity lies on the brink of annihilation. A deadly Chimera invasion has ravaged Europe, leaving humans struggling to survive and to repel the threat. Now the danger has expanded. In Resistance 2, you'll revisit the apocalyptic world of Resistance: Fall of Man to discover that the Chimera invasion, far from ending, has spread its devastating reach to North America. Arm yourself for battle on the perilous shores of the United States and prepare to make your last stand.Resistance 2 explodes with epic battle scenes set in massive environments that dwarf you with their scale and intensity. Take your life in your hands and go up against the dangers alone in a single-player campaign in which you'll encounter epic boss battles across a variety of unique United States locations. Join up to seven other gamers for standalone eight-player class-based online co-op featuring a separate story-driven campaign, or engage in competitive squad-based online battles incorporating up to an astonishing 60 players at once. New enemies and enhanced artificial intelligence behavior make the Chimera threat more deadly than ever before. Pick up your impressive new weaponry and get ready to give as good as you get.
Posted by: XAvenger
This is an outstanding first-person shooter!
The graphics are simply astounding and do a good job of showing what the PS3 is capable of. There were a few scenes where I actually took a minute or two just to look at the amazing detail in the environments because the graphics were so outstanding.
The controls work very well and there is a nice array of some very cool weapons. This game follows the war between Man and a race of monsters called the Chimera, and you get the chance to use both Human and Chimeran weapons as the game progesses. In addition to straight shooting weapons that most shooters have, Resistance 2 also features weapons that can shoot around corners or target and shoot enemies behind walls.
The enemies in this game are some of the scariest this side of Resident Evil. These enemies range from small crawly creatures to skyscraper-sized monstrosities. Many are fast and agile while others are large and powerful.
One thing Resistance has that most FPS franchises lack is a well-developed story. The story of the Man-Chimera war is very well thought out and is very dramatic as it unfolds. This game picks up where Resistance: Fall of Man ends and leaves the story open for further sequels (the war's not over yet).
My only complaint is that the game is a little short. Still, I would say this game is an essential part of any gamer's library. Resitance 2 is yet another good reason to buy a PS3.
Now I'm hoping for Resistance 3!
What's great about it: Brilliant graphics and excellent gameplay
What's not so great: A little on the short side
I would recommend this to a friend!
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XAvenger's Review Comments
![Star Wars: The Complete Saga [Blu-ray]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2550/2550164_sa.jpg)
This extensive release includes all six films in the science fiction juggernaut Star Wars franchise: Star Wars (aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope), The Empire Strikes Back (aka Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back), Return of the Jedi (aka Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5Bad disc - TWICE
By QuoteMe
from Los Angeles, CA
About an hour into Episode II, the disc freezes a bit and seems to skip. Returned to store for a hassle free exchange. The same problem with the new disc at the exact same spot!!!! Haven't had a chance to view all the other discs but what a disappiontment. Question is do I exchange again or simply ask for a refund???? Anyone else have similar problem?
XAvenger
I've had no problems
September 24, 2011
You might want to try sending the discs to 20th Century Fox for a replacement.
I've had no problems whatsoever with any of the movies. Of course, I've plyed them on my PS3.
0points
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![X-Men: First Class [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2011]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/3209/3209231_sa.jpg)
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Good Movie If You Don't Have A Sony or Samsung
By Enchanter
from Trenton, MI
Lots of talk with the First Class movie not working with Sony. It would not work with my Sony BDP S350. Which is NOT 3D. I had to disable the internet connection "Do not allow disc to access internet" or some such. Then I had to delete the data file the Xmen movie had already installed when I tried to watch it the first time. This isn't easy either as it normally doesn't display the stored data in the setup menu. I had to do this by inserting an invalid disc. In this case the digital copy. Then I got the menu to delete the First Class data file. What a pain, I'm watching this now and it BETTER be good, lol. If your not up to this then get the DVD. Hope this helps someone.
XAvenger
October 12, 2011
I have had no problems with watching the Blu-Ray on my PS3 (a Sony player). You may want to update your firmware
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
This extensive release includes all six films in the science fiction juggernaut Star Wars franchise: Star Wars (aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope), The Empire Strikes Back (aka Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back), Return of the Jedi (aka Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5Good value for the money. One BRD issue.
By burrisd
from Fredericksburg, VA
As a Star Wars fan I find this a good value for the money. I have a problem with the blu-ray discs, which is in no way a fault of Best Buy. Every single disc seems to enter a pause mode during the movie and then speeds up without audio. I have to stop playing the disc and restart it again. This happens regardless of which blu-ray player I use. Other than that, I would recommend this product.
XAvenger
October 12, 2011
I've had no problems with any of the Blu-Ray discs. I've been playing them on my PS3.
Your firmware may need to be updated.
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