Long awaited by fans, Ridley Scott's visionary fairy tale Legend comes to DVD as an ultimate edition and the results are greater than could be imagined. In an inspirational move, Universal has included both the longer international version (at one hour and 54 minutes) and the one seen in the United States (one hour and 30 minutes) on separate discs. Each is in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio along with anamorphic transfers, and while they both look good, the international version is stronger and spectacular in all respects. Colors are vibrant, darks are solid, and detail is astounding. The U.S. version is weaker by far, with a noticeably softer transfer that doesn't exhibit the same kind of contrast or detail. Sound separates the two also. New, exciting Dolby Digital and DTS tracks are part of the international version, while the U.S. release is left with the less robust original surround track. The 5.1 tracks are full of life, helping to further re-create the vision that Scott and his crew have brought to the screen. If outstanding visual and auditory elements weren't enough, this two-disc set offers plenty of extras to keep one captivated. On the first disc is another of Scott's commentary tracks. It's the second disc (since the U.S. version is nearly 30 minutes shorter) that contains the wealth of supplemental information. Of particular interest is a new 50-minute documentary on all aspects of the production, including interviews with most of the main cast and crew. Affection runs deep for this film and it can readily be felt in these memories. Though controversy surrounded Tangerine Dream's U.S. score at the time of the theatrical release, it's also included on an isolated track. In addition are sections for two lost scenes, with one using storyboards, photos, and music to re-create what was intended, storyboards for three scenes, and extensive photo galleries. Rounding out an outstanding disc are Bryan Ferry's music video for "Is Your Love Strong Enough," two theatrical trailers, four television spots, and the usual assortment of production notes and cast and crew biographies.

Back in the 1980s, in the wake of such productions as Conan the Barbarian, fantasy films reigned supreme. Krull, Legend, The Beastmaster, Labyrinth, all of the countless Italian-made rip-offs like Lucio Fulci's Conquest or Joe D'Amato's numerous Ator endurance tests -- were just a few of the films that rode the success of the trend. None of them were colossal artistic or financial hits when released, so when George Lucas and Ron Howard collaborated on the epic-fantasy film Willow, expectations were very high indeed. Unfortunately, Willow didn't shake the foundations of the film world. It did not become another Star Wars, as many had predicted it would. But over the years, time has been kind to poor Willow, and its appeal as a much-watched family film has grown every year. 20th Century Fox's DVD is sure to please fans of the film. The disc is offered in its proper theatrical aspect ratio (2.35:1 enhanced) and it has been given a thunderous 5.1 Dolby Surround track as well as a two-channel option. The picture is excellent throughout -- crisp, colorful, and the widescreen framing really brings out the old-fashioned epic style of its filmmaking more than previous pan-and-scan video offerings. The disc has also been given a commentary track with star Warwick Davis, who plays the title character. Davis is delightful and is obviously proud of his participation in the production (he should be). There are some dropouts with his commentary, especially toward the end, but for the most part his comments are amusing, informative, and entertaining. Davis talks at length about the film's sometimes arduous production, his relationship with co-star Val Kilmer, and the difference of working with Ron Howard and George Lucas, among other things. He also mentions the filmed -- although it was later deleted --- storm scene that unfortunately is not available on the disc. The disc also contains more TV and theatrical trailers than you could possibly want, a lengthy production featurette, a featurette about the film's use of the morphing technique (it was the first to use it), and a behind-the-scenes still gallery. All in all, the disc is excellent and should no doubt replace your worn-out videotape copy.

Another Jean-Claude Van Damme masterpiece hits the DVD shelves in a big, outrageous special edition of Universal Soldier from the fine folks at Lions Gate Home Entertainment. Newly remastered with both an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen picture and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, this disc brings this sci-fi brawl into the digital age the right way. Extras on the disc include an alternate "touching" ending, along with the newly created 19-minute featurette "Guns, Genes and Fighting Machines -- The Making of Universal Soldier." Featuring interviews with Van Damme and co-headliner Dolph Lundgren, along with writer/producer Dean Devlin and director Roland Emmerich, the featurette is a good look at the production from the eyes of two young action stars and a pre-Independence Day production team just on the cusp of box-office success. Those four also star on the audio commentary, a spliced together affair of competing accents that was taken from three separately recorded tracks that weigh heavily in the Devlin/Emmerich corner rather than the goofy ramblings of the one from the "Muscles From Brussels" or the fun insight from Lundgren. Also on the DVD is another featurette, "Tale of Two Titans," a look back at the early days of the two stars that features classic old photographs and stories of each one's break into show business from the actors themselves. A definite improvement over the film's previous DVD releases, this release is sure to bring new love to the film and its ridiculous action stars.

After years of waiting, one of the most anticipated DVD sets is finally here -- The Adventures of Indiana Jones: The Complete DVD Movie Collection, a grand release for one of the most beloved and successful film trilogies in history. Packaged in a classy Lucasfilm/Paramount box, all three of the first films are included, with an exclusive bonus disc delving into the behind-the-scenes meat long sought after by fans throughout the years. While it might not be the definitive, end-all-be-all release (that now-fabled set would have probably included the scrapped fourth entry in the series, still in pre-production at the time of this release), though be sure, this collection is simply jaw-dropping at times and worth the wait in the end. In this set, each film is presented in its original glorious 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio, with an incredible Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track, all digitally remastered by THX -- and boy, does it show! With lush hues and deep blacks, the series feels new all over again, with Raiders especially benefiting from its new brilliant picture and sound quality. Thankfully, there hasn't been too much digital tinkering on the images, with the subtle reflection during the snake pit scene still intact -- though a few matting issues in the Last Crusade seem to have been corrected. While having the trilogy finally hit the DVD market is truly something to rejoice about, the party really starts to heat up with the Bonus Material disc, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage never seen outside of the Lucasfilm archives. First off, there are the three feature-length documentaries on the trilogy, which can be viewed separately or all together, clocking in at a whopping two-hour-plus running time. Covering each film throughout their story lines, while focusing in at each setup to break down various action pieces, casting decisions, and filming locations, the specials give you full access to most every major player in the production and completely justifies the non-inclusion of any audio commentaries. Classic stories are shared from everyone ranging from Spielberg to Lucas, Harrison Ford to every leading lady he fell for, to the beloved supporting cast including John Rhys-Davis, and yes, even Short Round (Quan Ke Huy) makes an appearance. Whether viewed back to back or each individually, these documentaries are at the core perfect studies of the trilogy, and with exclusive footage like bits from the infamous Tom Selleck screen test, they're the most exciting extras to hit the DVD market in a long time. Also on the disc are collections of featurettes that fill in the filmmaking gaps that the documentary glossed over. Clocking in a little above ten minutes each, the four sections represent the traditional (i.e. non-CG) technical sides of the film -- Stunts, Sounds, Music, and the Light and Magic. From the origins of the trilogy's sound effect library with Ben Burtt to footage of John Williams' original scoring sessions, the featurettes manage to affectively capture how the series was truly a joint effort with the very best people of their craft putting their all into the three films. Finally on the bonus disc, there's a massive Trailers section, which includes three trailers for Raiders (teaser, theatrical, and re-release), just the theatrical for Temple of Doom, and both the teaser and theatrical for The Last Crusade. As usual with long-awaited discs, there are still a few things missing. Where, in fact, are the deleted scenes? Also perplexing is the exclusion of the Temple of Doom teaser, included on one of the first video releases of Raiders. Of course, these are small gripes, and ones which only the eventual box set down the road will answer as to whether they'll see the light of day or not. Still, with the astounding transfers and engrossing extras, this box set should prove that the wait was well worth it -- for you can finally have pristine copies of the Indiana Jones trilogy among your collection, and that is truly a beautiful thing.