Not many films can truly stand the test of time and still entertain audiences 25 years later...
Supplements :
The Limited Edition 2-Disc set was pretty good in its supplemental materials. Two different versions of the film were included and a half-hour documentary entitled Halloween Unmasked 2000. There were also still galleries, promo materials and a few other behind-the-scenes tidbits. It was a pretty nice set and Anchor Bay knew they needed to improve on that title to sell a third version of the film to its fans. The big question is whether or not they succeeded in creating yet another DVD for Halloween fans to add to their libraries. Fortunately, they did add enough new features to make this a marketable release, but fans of the film are going to want to hold onto their older DVD for some of the supplements that 2-Disc set contained, most notably the "Television Version" of the film that contained 12 minutes of additional footage. Sadly, the footage from that film is practically invisible on the new DVD.
Not all is bad in the town of Haddonfield. After many years, I am now able to retire my Criterion Collection LaserDisc because the excellent Commentary Track with Writer/Director John Carpenter, Star Jamie Lee Curtis and Producer Debra Hill from that LaserDisc is now presented for the first time on DVD. For those not familiar with the Criterion style of commentary tracks, each participant was recorded individually and then a final track was edited together featuring all of the best parts. There are plusses and minuses to this style, but you are usually guaranteed a fine listening experience from the folks at Criterion. This track is notable for its large amount of provided information, stories and light-hearted tales from the filming of Halloween and is one of the best commentary tracks recorded to date.
Aside from the Criterion commentary track, a feature-length documentary entitled Halloween: A Cut Above The Rest is included as the major attraction of Disc Two. The documentary runs for ninety minutes and is a combination of old footage found on the previous documentary showing Jamie Lee Curtis on the set of Halloween: H20 and reused John Carpenter footage mixed with new footage featuring a plethora of cast and crew members from the film. A Cut Above The Rest is a very detailed and in-depth look at the creation of the film. It features behind-the-scenes footage and some typical press kit interviews and is a must-see for Halloween followers.
A second much smaller documentary and a few other notables finish off the offerings of the second DVD. On Location: 25 Years Later features producer Debra Hill and actress P.J. Soles as they take the viewer on a tour of the locations where Halloween was filmed. Its ten minutes of running time is not lost time and is informative for the short amount of time it occupies. The Still Gallery featuring on this DVD differs from the previous release and features promotional materials, cast & crew photos and behind-the-scenes moments. A few are recycled, but most of them are new. A couple Talent Bios, a Theatrical Trailer, 2 TV Spots and 2 Radio Spots finish off the materials on the DVD aside from the DVD-ROM Original Screenplay and a pair of Screensavers for a Windows-based PC.
With a large part of its supplements being entirely new or new ways or presenting rehashed material, the Halloween: 25th Anniversary Edition DVD will most likely reside beside your existing Halloween: Limited Edition DVD. Together, the two releases create the definitive Halloween experience. I can´t help but think that one day Anchor Bay is going to release an expensive and comprehensive DVD edition, but for now they seem content on releasing the film in a manner that offers the viewers a fresh set of clothes, but casts away the well-worn and loved old threads. I find the absence of the television version depressing and would have loved a 3 Disc set that was all encompassing.
Summary :
Halloween is truly a classic. It was the prototypical slasher film and Freddy and Jason are only following in the footsteps of Michael Myers. The film was cheaply produced by John Carpenter and company. However, they certainly did something right and the film has spawned more than enough sequels (some argue that one was more than enough) and has been copied and mimicked more than Elvis. The film is a true frightfest and is always a fitting film for the holiday it is named after. Anchor Bay has made Halloween one of their top cash-cows and the film is now released for the second time as a top-notch special edition. Sight and sound are improved, but the coloring is a bit off. The supplements of the excellent Limited Edition DVD have not been used and this new set is comprised of mostly all-new material. Those looking for the "Ultimate Edition" will have to wait longer, but this may quench their thirst for a while longer.
The Limited Edition 2-Disc set was pretty good in its supplemental materials. Two different versions of the film were included and a half-hour documentary entitled Halloween Unmasked 2000. There were also still galleries, promo materials and a few other behind-the-scenes tidbits. It was a pretty nice set and Anchor Bay knew they needed to improve on that title to sell a third version of the film to its fans. The big question is whether or not they succeeded in creating yet another DVD for Halloween fans to add to their libraries. Fortunately, they did add enough new features to make this a marketable release, but fans of the film are going to want to hold onto their older DVD for some of the supplements that 2-Disc set contained, most notably the "Television Version" of the film that contained 12 minutes of additional footage. Sadly, the footage from that film is practically invisible on the new DVD.
Not all is bad in the town of Haddonfield. After many years, I am now able to retire my Criterion Collection LaserDisc because the excellent Commentary Track with Writer/Director John Carpenter, Star Jamie Lee Curtis and Producer Debra Hill from that LaserDisc is now presented for the first time on DVD. For those not familiar with the Criterion style of commentary tracks, each participant was recorded individually and then a final track was edited together featuring all of the best parts. There are plusses and minuses to this style, but you are usually guaranteed a fine listening experience from the folks at Criterion. This track is notable for its large amount of provided information, stories and light-hearted tales from the filming of Halloween and is one of the best commentary tracks recorded to date.
Aside from the Criterion commentary track, a feature-length documentary entitled Halloween: A Cut Above The Rest is included as the major attraction of Disc Two. The documentary runs for ninety minutes and is a combination of old footage found on the previous documentary showing Jamie Lee Curtis on the set of Halloween: H20 and reused John Carpenter footage mixed with new footage featuring a plethora of cast and crew members from the film. A Cut Above The Rest is a very detailed and in-depth look at the creation of the film. It features behind-the-scenes footage and some typical press kit interviews and is a must-see for Halloween followers.
A second much smaller documentary and a few other notables finish off the offerings of the second DVD. On Location: 25 Years Later features producer Debra Hill and actress P.J. Soles as they take the viewer on a tour of the locations where Halloween was filmed. Its ten minutes of running time is not lost time and is informative for the short amount of time it occupies. The Still Gallery featuring on this DVD differs from the previous release and features promotional materials, cast & crew photos and behind-the-scenes moments. A few are recycled, but most of them are new. A couple Talent Bios, a Theatrical Trailer, 2 TV Spots and 2 Radio Spots finish off the materials on the DVD aside from the DVD-ROM Original Screenplay and a pair of Screensavers for a Windows-based PC.
With a large part of its supplements being entirely new or new ways or presenting rehashed material, the Halloween: 25th Anniversary Edition DVD will most likely reside beside your existing Halloween: Limited Edition DVD. Together, the two releases create the definitive Halloween experience. I can´t help but think that one day Anchor Bay is going to release an expensive and comprehensive DVD edition, but for now they seem content on releasing the film in a manner that offers the viewers a fresh set of clothes, but casts away the well-worn and loved old threads. I find the absence of the television version depressing and would have loved a 3 Disc set that was all encompassing.
Summary :
Halloween is truly a classic. It was the prototypical slasher film and Freddy and Jason are only following in the footsteps of Michael Myers. The film was cheaply produced by John Carpenter and company. However, they certainly did something right and the film has spawned more than enough sequels (some argue that one was more than enough) and has been copied and mimicked more than Elvis. The film is a true frightfest and is always a fitting film for the holiday it is named after. Anchor Bay has made Halloween one of their top cash-cows and the film is now released for the second time as a top-notch special edition. Sight and sound are improved, but the coloring is a bit off. The supplements of the excellent Limited Edition DVD have not been used and this new set is comprised of mostly all-new material. Those looking for the "Ultimate Edition" will have to wait longer, but this may quench their thirst for a while longer.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]11151[/release]