Adam Sandler's first foray into animated moviemaking gets a deluxe presentation for its release on DVD. Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights has been given two transfers for this release -- one letterboxed in its original widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (which has also been enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors), and another pan-and-scanned at the full-frame ratio of 1.33:1. Viewers have a choice of the film's original English-language soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1, or a dubbed French track in Dolby Digital Surround; the disc also features optional subtitles in English and French. This edition features a bevy of bonus features, including a commentary track in which the cast and crew discuss the film; a music video for Sandler's "Chanukah Song, Part 3," a look at a day in the life of Meatball, Sandler's dog; an NBA: Love It Live television spot featuring Sandler; an HBO special on the making of the film; a multi-angle animation presentation; several deleted scenes; character profiles; biographies of the voice cast; a featurette on creating the town of Dukesberry for the film; and the movie's theatrical trailers.

Adam Sandler's son-of-Satan comedy arrives on DVD via New Line's Platinum Series. The overall treatment is good, but it's all targeted directly at Sandler fans. The picture is a good widescreen anamorphic transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Colors are bright and sharp, particularly in the sequences in Hell. The sound is a Dolby 5.1 presentation, which is underused, but crisp and clear nonetheless. Delving into the extras, viewers first find a pair of commentaries. The first one, from Sandler, writer Tim Herlihey, and writer/director Steven Brill is strictly for diehard Sandler fans, as the self-congratulating tone of the track will raise the ire of anyone else. The second track is hosted by Michael McKean and features a number of cast members, including Clint Howard, Henry Winkler, and Ozzy Osbourne. Also featured are 20 deleted scenes. Some of these are extensions or alternate takes of existing scenes, while others are completely new. While some are interesting when seen in the context of the film, was it really necessary to include an outtake reel of the director's efforts to get two dogs to mate? Viewers may enjoy a 30-minute documentary on the making of Little Nicky. More interesting is a 17-minute look at heavy metal music, featuring interviews with Gene Simmons, Ozzy Osbourne, and Zakk Wylde, among others. As previously stated, if you're an Adam Sandler fan, your ship has come in. For everyone else, all the extras in the world won't save this DVD from being viewed as the devil's work.

The DVD for Mr. Deeds is typical fine fare from Columbia/TriStar, an early supporter of this digital format. The 1.85:1 anamorphic image is top notch, with rich warm colors and solid blacks throughout. Flesh tones are nicely recreated and overall detail is consistently strong. This is one of the earlier releases that also has a full-frame version. The 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack isn't quite as impressive, as there is little to no use of the surround fields to heighten the theatrical experience. The dialogue is clear and, for the comedy genre, that is all important. In a nice move, a number of decent supplements have also been added, including a spirited, screen-specific audio commentary with director Steven Brill and writer Tim Herlihy that runs the gamut from light technical talk to friendly banter. There are also three featurettes: "From Mandrake Falls to Manhattan," "Spare No Expense," and "Clothes Make the Man." The first, the longest at 18 minutes, is a general making-of documentary; the second is about the production design;and the third concerns costumes. Although they don't amount to a lot separately, they do give a certain amount of insight into the making of the film when viewed as a whole. Along with these are six deleted scenes that really don't amount to much and an outtake reel that is amusing, albeit very brief. In addition to a great music video for "Where Are You Going" from The Dave Matthews Band, there are theatrical trailers for this film, Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights, Master of Disguise, Men in Black II, and I Spy. Finally, a script-to-screen feature is available via DVD-ROM. This may not have been the hit that Adam Sandler and company had hoped for, but you wouldn't know it from this fine presentation.

Adam Sandler's gridiron comedy The Waterboy comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. There are no subtitles on this release. Supplemental materials are limited to a pedestrian production featurette and a theatrical trailer. Fans of Sandler's comedic style will be thrilled with this disc, but there is nothing compelling about it for anyone else.