New Line does its usual good job on this DVD, though it's a bit disappointing compared to some of their other discs. The main problem is the picture; it's very good, but not up to the level of many of their other titles. The biggest problem is the black level, which is filled with a consistent off-shading that looks blocky; since much of this film takes place at night, it becomes even more evident. Beyond that, the picture is quite solid. The disc includes both the 2.35:1 widescreen and a pan-and-scan version, with both on the same side of the disc. As would be expected from New Line, the widescreen version is an anamorphic transfer. The sound on this disc is also very good, though also not without its problems. There is good use of the surround speakers, especially during storms, and the dialogue is centered up front. However, the sound level seems to change without reason throughout the film, making frequent volume adjustments necessary. Extras on this disc are a bit light, though a scene-specific commentary track (taken from the previous laserdisc edition) with director John Carpenter and his director of photography Gary B. Kibbe is included. Carpenter is always interesting and his love of filmmaking shines through at all times. One thing can be said about this track: if you want to know how to light a movie, then Kibbe will tell you. Lighting questions are about the only thing Carpenter asks him, so unless viewers are very technically minded, they will probably be bored with what Kibbe has to say. Beyond that, the disc has the obligatory trailer and filmographies.

Lion's Gate Home Entertainment delivers one big wallop of a package for Eli Roth's love-it-or-hate-it splatter epic, Cabin Fever. Forgoing the usual over-hyped two-disc "special" editions out there, this lean one disc delivers the all the bloody goods (and then some) for all of you aficionados in DVD-land. As far as extras go, the first thing you have to mention is the five feature-length audio commentaries. Considering how many companies skimped out and just edited together multiple commentary tracks during this time, you have to respect this disc for throwing it all on the line and including all five -- each of which is immensely entertaining. The madness begins with Roth's solo track, which is a doozy! His commentary is never boring and abounds with Tarantino-like references -- the director comes across as exactly the type of hilarious horror geek that the film's hype made him out to be. It's perfect, then, that he's the moderator for the rest of the tracks, including one with the guys in the cast, another with the girls, one that consists of him and members of the crew, and, finally, one just with Boy Meets World star Rider Strong (who, as the DVD put it, talked so much they had to move him to his own track). Amazingly, none of it feels like filler, and with so many moments of brilliance (Roth's call to his old N.Y.U. film professor is genius), the five tracks add to up hours of entertainment for those brave enough for the task. If you hop on over to the special features, there's more fun waiting for you, starting with a brand-new cut of the film called the Family Version (great for a laugh or two), while the Chick-Vision feature blocks the image whenever something frightening is about to happen -- a neat (albeit throwaway) idea that more or less just adds another silly bonus to the list of features. For those behind-the-scenes lovers out there, head straight to the "Beneath the Skin" documentary. Clocking in at 30 minutes, the featurette contains on-set footage and numerous interviews that show off the relaxed set and detail some of the smaller production elements that weren't covered quite as much in the commentaries (though don't be surprised if there's some overlapping information). The Pancakes special feature shows more of Matthew Helms' outrageous kung fu abilities (further proof that Roth needs to shoot an action flick starring the young blonde one very soon), while the Rotten Fruit section has three segments from the hilarious gore-filled stop-motion series created by Roth and Noah Belson. Technically, picture quality is superb and the disc's 5.1 Dolby Surround track (along with the standard stereo track) is equally fantastic, creating depth in the darkest reaches of the score and atmospheric sound mix. All in all, it's a disc worth shouting about, and one that will keep you busy for a long time to come. Also released in a Limited Edition featuring a holographic slipcover.