The 2002 sequel to Tim Allen's holiday blockbuster The Santa Clause is given a more than adequate treatment on its first DVD release. For a film directed primarily at children, there is a surprising abundance of special features packed into this single-disc package. Director Michael Lembeck provides a feature-length audio commentary track for viewers interested in some insight into what went into the film's creation. For more behind-the-scenes info, a making-of featurette and a "Tour of Elfsburg" are included too. Additionally, fans of the film should be happy to discover a selection of seven scenes that were left on the cutting room floor and a collection of humorous outtakes. For younger audience-members, there is a game that can be played on the TV, interviews with other mythical holiday characters and, several DVD-ROM games and activities. On the technical side, the disc features a 1.85:1 widescreen transfer of the film that preserves its original aspect ratio (a full-screen version is also available), the English, French, and Spanish soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, and optional English subtitles are available.
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.
John Pasquin's holiday comedy The Santa Clause comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while Spanish and French soundtracks have been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed captioned. Supplemental materials include a trivia game and a pair of featurettes. Those with a DVD-ROM drive can access additional featurettes and a screensaver for PC. This is a solid release from Disney/Buena Vista.
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.