Brazil [Special Edition, 3-Disc, Old Version, Criterion Voyager]

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First, let me just get this out of the way: "Brazil" is somewhat overrated. Oh, it's a great movie, and I personally enjoy the hell out of it, but let's face two important facts: a) with its dark overtones, fantasy-heavy plot, and pessimistic, semi-defeatist ending, it's not everybody's cup of tea, and b) had it not been for the controversy surrounding Universal's reluctance to release the film--and director Terry Gilliam's public outcries concerning said reluctance--"Brazil" might not have enjoyed the passionate following that it does today. "Brazil" is mind-boggling, confusing, inspiring, saddening, and uplifting-many times, all within the same scene. Terry Gilliam has gone on to make BETTER films ("The Fisher King," "12 Monkeys"), but they weren't HIS films; "Brazil" is the consummate Gilliam movie, from start to finish. It is his "Citizen Kane." Or his "Plan Nine from Outer Space." It depends on what you think of the man's work. But this is a DVD review, and not a critical dissection of the film's merits. That has already been touched upon in the previous DVDTown review of Universal's movie-only edition of "Brazil" released some time ago. I give "Brazil"-the film-about an 8-out-of-10. However, I give "Brazil" the Criterion DVD a 10-out-of-10.

Criterion's DVD release of "Brazil" does nothing short of set the empirical standard by which all so-called "special edition" DVDs should be judged. This three-DVD set runneth over with all of the enticing goodies that made Criterion's laserdisc so jaw-dropping four years ago. Of course, there's one major change: the DVD is only $60.

"Only?" you may demand. "What do you mean only?" Well, considering that Criterion's laser retailed for $150 (and it was even worth every penny of that exorbitant amount, too), $60 is an absolute steal.

I normally have issues with studios that release needless multiple-DVD sets (dual layers and double sides make multiple-disc sets almost unheard of), but Criterion does such a fantastic job with the packaging of this boxed set that I can completely overlook it. The outer box is transparent vinyl with clouds overlayed on it, and the keep cases inside the sleeve are clear plastic, with each cover featuring a different perspective of the "winged-Sam-flying-out-of-the-file-cabinet" artwork which made the Criterion LD so visually appealing. This set has to be seen to be appreciated.

On Disc One of the set, we have the widescreen (1.70:1 by my tape measure) final, FINAL director's cut of "Brazil," which clocks in at 142 minutes. The video and audio quality are above par; there is a slight graininess to the transfer, as well as an unsettling darkness to the print, but who am I to judge? This could very well be the intent of Gilliam, considering the subject matter. The audio has been remastered for Dolby Surround, and it is employed at just the right places-explosions and music. I normally like a little more variety in my sound dynamics, but I would rather have a subtle "tweaking" than an all-out bombastic revamp that would call attention away from the plot. All things considered, the audio and video quality does a more than admirable job of conveying the director's intent. A commentary track by director Gilliam accompanies the film, and is near-vital for understanding-and appreciating-the complexities and subtleties of "Brazil." Gilliam speaks of "Brazil" as a proud father extolls the virtues of his favorite son; he sees the film's accolades and acceptance not as vindication and legitimization of his own work, but as a victory for oppressed filmmakers everywhere.