This special edition re-release of Gremlins is a vast improvement over the original disc. To begin with, the image, which is framed at the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, shows clear signs of the new digital transfer. Colors are sharp and vibrant (though maybe a little over saturated at times) with blacks that are solid. Overall the immediate impression of the picture is better than would be expected. The sound, which uses the same 5.1 English track from the original release, is certainly good, but never takes advantage of the entire sound field. It's generally centered up front, but is distortion free and produces clear audio. The main difference between releases is obviously the supplemental features. Whereas the first disc was basically movie only, this one has a number of nice features. At the top of the list would have to be two new commentary tracks. The first is enthusiastic and informational with director Joe Dante and actors Zach Galligan, Howie Mandel, and the less heard Phoebe Cates and Dick Miller. The second is a little more technical, but nevertheless entertaining with Dante again, producer Michael Finnell, and special effects artist Chris Walas. The rest of the extras, while good, are less spectacular. Along with ten minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary is a six-minute featurette with behind-the-scenes shots and interviews, a photo/storyboard gallery, and cast and crew biographies. Rounding this nice package out are three trailers, two for this film and one for the sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

The DVD of this Alice in Wonderland-like children's film comes with four bios/filmographies, each two screens in length, a behind-the-scenes featurette of fuzzy audio and visual quality, and three theatrical trailers. Although presented as widescreen anamorphic (2:35:1 ratio) with dual-layered, English, two-channel Dolby Surround, the picture looks slightly grainy in places and a faint hiss persists in the audio background throughout the film. The puppet animations look and sound impressively lifelike and highly detailed. Also included are English and Spanish subtitles and a small three-fold booklet containing creation and production notes.