Considering the $39.95 price tag of the Collector’s Edition release, the HD-DVD version of “Jarhead” is a bargain at $34.98.
In a direct A-B comparison with the standard definition DVD, the HD-DVD picture features even duller colors, but feel more authentic than those of the DVD. The aforementioned oil fires are not as ´orange´ in HD-DVD as they are DVD, but they feel warmer. The color difference could be attributed to HDMI vs. Component Video, as they colors on the standard disc looked closer to the HD-DVD when played on the Toshiba. Detail is certainly improved on the high definition disc. From the texture of the sand, to facial imperfections and door handles on burned out vehicles, the HD-DVD of "Jarhead" easily trumps the original disc in detail.
Audio:
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 soundtracks are included in English, French and Spanish. Subtitles for the film are in English SDH, French and Spanish. "Jarhead" is not an explosive, combat heavy film like "Black Hawk Down" and does not contain many sequences that will leave you ducking for cover or avoiding explosions. Aside from four moments in the film, there is very little need for more than the front channel in most of this film. Dialogue is well rendered and quite intelligible. The soundtrack is done nicely and shows good separation between its five channels. The subwoofer is utilized nicely when it is necessary. Again, "Jarhead" is not a high-energy soundtrack and is nothing like "Apocalypse Now," "Saving Private Ryan" or countless others. The film does not focus on the combat aspect and doesn´t require a heavy soundtrack. When compared to the standard definition DVD, the HD-DVD version of "Jarhead" is an improvement, if only just slightly. Until Dolby TrueHD and the required hardware is available, it will be hard to expect much more of a difference.
Extras:
The HD-DVD packaging states an identical set of features as the single disc, standard definition DVD release. In fact, the HD-DVD release also includes the three lengthy features that were only found on the 2-Disc collector´s edition that was next-to-impossible to find when "Jarhead" was originally released on DVD. Considering the $39.95 price tag of the Collector´s Edition release, the HD-DVD version of "Jarhead" is a bargain at $34.98. I was pleasantly surprised to find the additional features on this disc.
The features that are also included on the single disc DVD include two audio commentaries. The first commentary is with director Sam Mendes and film editor Walter Murch. The second commentary is the money track and involves Anthony Swofford and screenwriter/Vietnam vet William Broyles, Jr. The first commentary track is a decent enough of a listen, but hearing the two Marines from different eras discuss the differences in the film as opposed to Swofford´s book and their own recollections of their wartime experiences makes for a very interesting two hour commentary. It was easily one of the best commentary tracks I have heard in a long while.
A large amount of deleted material is included. There are nearly twenty minutes of deleted scenes in the Deleted Scenes section of the disc. These eleven scenes are bits and pieces of the film that were trimmed to make the film shorter. Four additional deleted scenes are included in the Swoff´s Fantasies section. These four scenes were cut because they took away from the realistic nature of the film. The only real remaining "Swoff Fantasy" in the film is a scene shortly after Swoff and others view the home porn film. Additional deleted material is found in News Interviews in Full, the original interviews that were cut and shortened to include in the film. Each of these features includes commentary by Mendes and Murch that can be turned on or off.
The real bonuses on this DVD are those carried over that were formerly only on the Collector´s Edition DVD. The three lengthy documentaries, Jarhead Diaries, Semper Fi: Life After the Corps and Background are far more substantial than the supplements found only on the single edition DVD. "Jarhead Diaries" is a series of video diaries made by Sam Mendes and crew to document the making of the film. Not nearly as lengthy or concise as what Peter Jackson did for "King Kong," the "Jarhead Diaries" do bring about some interesting and humorous moments. It runs for thirty minutes. "Semper Fi" is well done documentary that looks at the post war lives of five Marines that served in Operation Desert Sabre. Through this thirty-six minute documentary, you can see the emotional effects the conflict had on the lives of these five men. The final documentary, "Background" runs for thirty-one minutes and takes a look at the extras that trained to be Marines in the film. Interesting, but not nearly as involved as the other two bonus documentaries.
Parting Thoughts
I served in the U.S. Army Infantry during the time of the first Gulf War. I never laid foot in the sandbox, but I trained for the war. This training and the effects of it are wonderfully done by Sam Mendes in "Jarhead." The film forgoes the usual war movie formula of lots of gunfire, blood and guts and takes a look at the emotional side of preparing for war. Mendes never served in the military and he had very little knowledge of the military. Still, he nailed it. He could have included one or two gas chamber shots for humor value, but I never said the film was perfect. It is just very good. The HD-DVD is a real value. You get the increased audio and video capabilities of the format, no layer switching and the same bonus features that were found on the costlier Collector´s Edition. "Jarhead" is not an all-out assault on the senses, but it is a wonderful example of what this format can do.
Audio:
Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 soundtracks are included in English, French and Spanish. Subtitles for the film are in English SDH, French and Spanish. "Jarhead" is not an explosive, combat heavy film like "Black Hawk Down" and does not contain many sequences that will leave you ducking for cover or avoiding explosions. Aside from four moments in the film, there is very little need for more than the front channel in most of this film. Dialogue is well rendered and quite intelligible. The soundtrack is done nicely and shows good separation between its five channels. The subwoofer is utilized nicely when it is necessary. Again, "Jarhead" is not a high-energy soundtrack and is nothing like "Apocalypse Now," "Saving Private Ryan" or countless others. The film does not focus on the combat aspect and doesn´t require a heavy soundtrack. When compared to the standard definition DVD, the HD-DVD version of "Jarhead" is an improvement, if only just slightly. Until Dolby TrueHD and the required hardware is available, it will be hard to expect much more of a difference.
Extras:
The HD-DVD packaging states an identical set of features as the single disc, standard definition DVD release. In fact, the HD-DVD release also includes the three lengthy features that were only found on the 2-Disc collector´s edition that was next-to-impossible to find when "Jarhead" was originally released on DVD. Considering the $39.95 price tag of the Collector´s Edition release, the HD-DVD version of "Jarhead" is a bargain at $34.98. I was pleasantly surprised to find the additional features on this disc.
The features that are also included on the single disc DVD include two audio commentaries. The first commentary is with director Sam Mendes and film editor Walter Murch. The second commentary is the money track and involves Anthony Swofford and screenwriter/Vietnam vet William Broyles, Jr. The first commentary track is a decent enough of a listen, but hearing the two Marines from different eras discuss the differences in the film as opposed to Swofford´s book and their own recollections of their wartime experiences makes for a very interesting two hour commentary. It was easily one of the best commentary tracks I have heard in a long while.
A large amount of deleted material is included. There are nearly twenty minutes of deleted scenes in the Deleted Scenes section of the disc. These eleven scenes are bits and pieces of the film that were trimmed to make the film shorter. Four additional deleted scenes are included in the Swoff´s Fantasies section. These four scenes were cut because they took away from the realistic nature of the film. The only real remaining "Swoff Fantasy" in the film is a scene shortly after Swoff and others view the home porn film. Additional deleted material is found in News Interviews in Full, the original interviews that were cut and shortened to include in the film. Each of these features includes commentary by Mendes and Murch that can be turned on or off.
The real bonuses on this DVD are those carried over that were formerly only on the Collector´s Edition DVD. The three lengthy documentaries, Jarhead Diaries, Semper Fi: Life After the Corps and Background are far more substantial than the supplements found only on the single edition DVD. "Jarhead Diaries" is a series of video diaries made by Sam Mendes and crew to document the making of the film. Not nearly as lengthy or concise as what Peter Jackson did for "King Kong," the "Jarhead Diaries" do bring about some interesting and humorous moments. It runs for thirty minutes. "Semper Fi" is well done documentary that looks at the post war lives of five Marines that served in Operation Desert Sabre. Through this thirty-six minute documentary, you can see the emotional effects the conflict had on the lives of these five men. The final documentary, "Background" runs for thirty-one minutes and takes a look at the extras that trained to be Marines in the film. Interesting, but not nearly as involved as the other two bonus documentaries.
Parting Thoughts
I served in the U.S. Army Infantry during the time of the first Gulf War. I never laid foot in the sandbox, but I trained for the war. This training and the effects of it are wonderfully done by Sam Mendes in "Jarhead." The film forgoes the usual war movie formula of lots of gunfire, blood and guts and takes a look at the emotional side of preparing for war. Mendes never served in the military and he had very little knowledge of the military. Still, he nailed it. He could have included one or two gas chamber shots for humor value, but I never said the film was perfect. It is just very good. The HD-DVD is a real value. You get the increased audio and video capabilities of the format, no layer switching and the same bonus features that were found on the costlier Collector´s Edition. "Jarhead" is not an all-out assault on the senses, but it is a wonderful example of what this format can do.
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[release]18849[/release]