Fans of Jumanji who own the original DVD release might want to sell off that old copy and look for the newer special edition. Once again, the picture is outstanding, maybe even reference quality. It is alive with color, while the dark scenes look perfectly natural, without any noticeable grain. The sound is problematic, as the dialogue is recorded lower than the music and sound effects. This means continuously raising and lowering the volume. For the most part, however, the extras make up for any inconsistencies. Though far from the best, they are plentiful. First up is an audio commentary track, not from the director or actors, but from the real "stars" of the film -- the visual effects crew. They create a track about the technical details while trying to keep it as uncomplicated as possible. In addition, there are three featurettes. The longest, a 20 minute "making of" documentary, has some interesting interviews, but little behind-the-scenes footage. The other two, one on the visual effects and the other on the production design, are shorter, but still appealing for those interested in an effects-laden picture such as this. A small storyboard section allows the viewer to look at drawn images of specific scenes while watching a smaller window with the final results. A brief photo gallery rounds out the main supplemental material. There are talent files and theatrical trailers for this film as well as for Madeline and Matilda. While certainly not the greatest special edition ever produced, this will no doubt please fans that enjoyed the film.
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.
One of the earliest popular DVD releases, Luc Besson's fanciful, visually striking 1997 sci-fi epic The Fifth Element has a surprisingly spare presentation: it includes standard and widescreen aspect ratios, as well as Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo Audio in English and Spanish -- and that's it. While both the sound and audio preserve the film's intricate, and often witty, details, it's still a slightly disappointing package; filmographies, a making-of featurette, or even a trailer would make the disc more substantial. Though the film's fans would want it in any DVD version, The Fifth Element deserves a more thoughtful presentation than this, and Columbia TriStar obliged by releasing a deluxe edition in early 2005.
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.
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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.