Unlike the previous two discs of The Alien Legacy Box Set, this one is not loaded with special features, but the audio and video transfers are as well done, if not better than the others. Both have been digitally remastered in THX and make excellent use of home-theater capabilities. The soundtrack is a very strong 5.1 mix which makes pronounced, frequent use of the rear channels, adding a great deal of atmosphere to the already claustrophobic nature of the film; voices echo eerily, and lingering, ambient sounds permeate almost every moment. The video transfer is pristine, with not a single instance of graininess or pixilation to be found anywhere. Also, the lines are sharp and the colors clearly defined -- there is very little to no bleeding to be found here. This film relies heavily on shadow and darkness to maintain its suspenseful atmosphere, and it seems that the disc's producers kept this well in mind, mixing the blacks as dark as possible while still maintaining subtle details within them. Again, the extra features are nothing extraordinary; the only feature worthy of special note is a short making-of featurette, which contains interviews with many of the cast and crew. There are also theatrical trailers for all four Alien films, as well as a preview of the video game based on Alien Resurrection, the fourth film in the series. Despite the lack of extraordinary special features, the disc's superb transfer make it a worthy addition to any collection.

This color remake of Peter Brook's 1960 classic film may not be as memorable as the original, but there is still plenty to recommend here. MGM Home Entertainment's disc is very sparse. No liner notes are included (which is normal for them) and no trailer (which is unfortunate). But the film, which has been letterboxed at 1.85:1 and is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen TVs, looks good, although the picture does look a little washed-out in places and never really sparkles. Skin tones also tend to be on the colorless side. The disc has been given an English-language two-channel soundtrack, and for the most part, sounds fine. French- and Spanish-language subtitles have also been included.

Mel Gibson's lush, savage Revolutionary War epic is given the royal treatment in this DVD from Columbia-TriStar. The film is shown in an anamorphic widescreen presentation, which preserves the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. In addition, the digital mastering makes for a clearer picture with crisp, vibrant colors. The sound is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, so viewers won't miss one thundering musket or crunching cannonball. As for extras, The Patriot does not disappoint. Director Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin offer a feature-length commentary that offers some good insights into the making of the picture. The commentary at times seems to be improvised, however, occasionally leading to some distracting asides and in-jokes. The Patriot also offers a host of deleted scenes, which feature an optional commentary and serve to expand some of the film's subplots and characters. Viewers are also treated to three behind-the-scenes featurettes. The first of these offers a tutorial on the creation of the film's gorier special effects, while the other two provide an interesting look at the filmmaker's painstaking efforts to bring American history to life. For fans of the film, this is a must-own. For the uninitiated, it offers an excellent chance to experience The Patriot.