Caped Crusader fans rejoice! Batman Returns makes a grand reentrance into the DVD world thanks to the timely release of Batman Begins into living rooms everywhere. This 2-Disc Special Edition is just what the doctor ordered, with a gorgeous presentation and bonus materials seemingly sent down from the DVD heavens. The first thing you'll notice is how good it looks. The widescreen image (16 x 9, 1.85:1) has a beautiful pop to the stark images that was severely lacking in the previous release. And how about that sound? DTS, for all you who have the pleasure of running it, and a slam-bang solid 5.1 track to immerse you in this crazy carnival ride right out of Tim Burton's head, which is cracked open for all to see with one of his usual dry audio commentaries. The track is full of Burtonesque scatter shots of ideas and memories, though it's interesting to hear his repeated reactions to the film's criticism. The real juice comes from the bonus materials, which are packed over two hours of documentaries and featurettes. Included is a made-for-TV special along with a continuation of the "Shadow of the Bat" documentary that flows through each of the four Batman film-series DVD reissues. Everything from Annette Bening's original casting to the lukewarm studio exec reception are discussed in a frank and rather refreshing way that only time can afford. With additional featurettes focusing more on the individual aspects of the production, including production design and a fascinating look at the re-creation of the batsuit, there's so much covered that you can't help but get sucked in. The funny thing is that the disc isn't even done yet -- you've still got a handful of smaller featurettes on the film's heroes and villains along with the Siouxsie and the Banshees "Face to Face" music video. It's nice to finally see this series getting the treatment it deserves, even if you're going to think twice about picking up the Schumacher installments (though the idea of those documentaries is definitely tantalizing). Whether it was worth the extended wait or not, there's too much grade-A material in this edition for people not to be drawn to it.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
If you already own the previous release of 'Batman Returns' on dvd, it would be hard for me to recommend that you fork over $25 for this special edition unless you are absolutely crazy about the film. It is a good movie, but the new transfer isn't much better than the previous dvd, in some ways it seems a little 'overdone'. Bonus features are ample however. The choice is yours."
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Almost a carbon copy of the most recent standard definition dvd incarnation, The mildly improved image here, which by the way will only be noticeable on a large widescreen hi-def tv, makes this one worth the buy only if you don't have it already.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Almost a carbon copy of the most recent standard definition dvd incarnation, The mildly improved image here, which by the way will only be noticeable on a large widescreen hi-def tv, makes this one worth the buy only if you don't have it already.
Bruce Lee fans will be knocked out by this 25th anniversary edition of Enter the Dragon. The DVD boasts a widescreen anamorphic 2.35:1 transfer. A closed-captioned English soundtrack can be heard in Dolby Digital 5.1, while Spanish and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are also accessible. The bountiful supplemental materials include audio commentary by the producer and screenwriter, a behind-the-scenes documentary shot in 1973, a Bruce Lee documentary, an interview with Linda Lee Cadwell, production notes, a handful of theatrical trailers, and a generous helping of television advertisements. One is hard-pressed to think of a more definitive release for this continually popular cult favorite.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Almost a carbon copy of the most recent standard definition dvd incarnation, The mildly improved image here, which by the way will only be noticeable on a large widescreen hi-def tv, hardly makes this one worth the price of rebuying. Skip it.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
For all the 'Lethal Weapon' fans who already have this title on dvd, I can't necessarily recommend rebuying it here on Blue-ray. The image quality just isn't that much better as to make it worthwhile, but that is simply my opinion, so you will have to decide for yourself.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I would recommend this Blue-Ray title only to people who don't already own it on standard dvd. If you do already have it, there's nothing here that is worth rebuying it at almost double the price of regular dvd.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This dismal Blue-Ray version of 'Robocop' shames the format and the movie by being completely void of any and all bonus features that have graced previous standard dvd incarnations. The mildly improved image, which by the way will only be noticeable on a large widescreen hi-def tv, hardly makes this one worth the price. Skip it.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This Blue-Ray version of 'Rocky' shames the format presenting an 'overdone' high def transfer that compromises the original cinematography of the film, and at the same time is completely void of any and all bonus features that have graced previous standard dvd incarnations. Skip it.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
In this fourth release of 'Rocky' on dvd, we get a few more bonus features, but nothing really worth re-buying the title for if you already own any of the previous dvd editions.