The 5.1 mixes found in "Reservoir Dogs" deliver the music selections with energy and power. All five channels and the .1 LFE channel come alive when the music is playing. From a sound perspective, these are the best audible moments of the film. The rest of the film is nearly all dialogue driven, and much of the film takes place in an empty warehouse. However, the soundtrack does a great job of providing small ambient noises that bring a feeling of realism to the films scenes. This is not a film that will excite anybody with either the Dolby Digital or DTS soundtrack, but both do a great job of delivering what the film does provide. The DTS track is marginally better than the Dolby mix. The rear surrounds offer a bit more ambient information, and the .1 LFE is tighter. The ever-important dialogue is perfectly intelligible. A Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround mix is also included for Pro-Logic systems.
Extras:
"Reservoir Dogs: 10th Anniversary Edition" is a two-disc set. However, where most such special editions feature the film on one disc and the supplements on a second, "Reservoir Dogs" spaces the supplements out evenly over both discs. The reason for this is that the each disc presents a different aspect ratio of the film. The first disc is the widescreen version of the film. The second disc contains the cropped Pan & Scan version. Each disc has its own commentary tracks, and the menus and feel of each disc take on a different look. My only complaint is that the supplements listed on the back of the packaging do not list which supplements are on which disc. You have to take an educated guess.
The Select Scene Audio Commentary featuring the Cast and Crew is the accompanying commentary on the first DVD. Quentin Tarantino is notorious for his dislike of commentary tracks for his own films, and his inclusion on this disc is only because the commentary is pieced together in a Criterion style and is created from interviews and segments previously recorded from those involved. A lot of information is passed along, but I have always enjoyed commentaries where those involved are relating to each other and sharing their experiences. The Critics Commentaries on the second disc is three separate commentary tracks pieced together and featuring various critics. Ann Taubin of Film Comment, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone and author Emanuel Levy who wrote a book on independent film contribute various length segments on their thoughts about "Reservoir Dogs." Selecting one of these commentaries takes you to the scene where the commentary resides, which doesn´t populate the entire film.
There is a healthy dose of supplements on the first disc. The big attraction on this first disc will be the Deleted Scenes that includes two alternate camera angles of the famous torture scene where Mr. Blonde removes Marvin the cop's ear while dancing to "Stuck In The Middle." There are three deleted scenes and the two alternate angles to the torture scenes. Aside from the Theatrical Trailer, the first disc also features an hour long collection of All New Interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Lawrence Bender, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Michael Madsen, Eddie Bunker, Kirk Baltz, and others, You have the ability to play them individually or watch them all back to back. These interviews are newly recorded and cover a wide range of material. I found them all to be entertaining and learned quite a deal about "Reservoir Dogs."
The second disc is chock full of goodies as well. The first featurette is titled The Class of '92. This bit takes a look at some of the more prominent filmmakers to emerge from the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. This half-hour long feature contains a few minutes with Quentin Tarantino and also Alex Rockwell ("In The Soup"), Chris Munch ("Hours and Times"), Tom Kalin ("Swoon"), and Katt Shay ("Poison Ivy"). Each discusses their experiences in the 1992 Sundance Festival and offer some bits about Tarantino and "Reservoir Dogs." I particularly enjoyed a comment being made about Sundance not being what it was because of a Mariah Carey film being screened. As usual, Quentin is by far the most entertaining, and his description of the hardships of screening "Reservoir Dogs" is particularly noteworthy.
Footage from the 1991 Sundance Institute Filmmaker´s Lab shows two scenes from "Reservoir Dogs" being acted out by Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel and Steve Buscemi. These are ´practice´ scenes where Quentin was working on the material. The first one finds Buscemi portraying Mr. White and the real Mr. White portraying Joe Cabot. The second scene shows Tarantino taking over as Mr. White and Buscemi in an early Mr. Pink performance. These scenes are interesting, but the second one is more entertaining because of the ability to see Tarantino´s take on the character of Mr. White.
A number of Tributes and Dedications and other featurettes are also provided on the second disc. Dedicated To Lawrence Tierney runs for fifteen minutes and shows the cast and crew or "Reservoir Dogs" sharing their memories of working with Tierney and experiences they had with him on and off the set. Dedicated To Edward Bunker details how Bunker lived on the wrong side of the law and was even a member of the prestigious FBI "10 Most Wanted List." This tribute runs for about ten minutes. Reservoir Dogs Tributes features interviews with Monte Hellman, Jack Hill, Pam Grier, and Roger Corman. Film Noir Web features more interviews with Mike Hodges, Robert Polito, John Boorman, Donald Westlake, and Stephen Frears, men whom Tarantino credits for being his inspiration for "Reservoir Dogs."
A few smaller supplements finish off the feature laden second disc. Securing the Shot is a five minute look on the location scouting for "Reservoir Dogs." Small Dogs takes a look at the production of the "Reservoir Dogs" action figures. Style Guide is a VERY quick look at the style of the film. Poster Gallery lets you look at the three theatrical posters. The final sequence is KBILLY Radio. This feature allows you to listen to three audio only tracks and access a scene parody. The first audio sequence features an interview with a convict and his views on the film and on crime. The second are outtakes of Steven Wright´s recording sessions. The third track features the lead singer of Stealer´s Wheel. The famous ear scene is shown with "Reservoir Dogs" toys and runs for two minutes.
Summary:
"Reservoir Dogs" is an incredible film. It´s violent and bloody, but it is also a very intelligent film with great performances and a powerful story. The first DVD was a disappointment because of its lack of supplements. Artisan can really put together one hell of a special edition when they put their heads to it. This Anniversary Edition DVD is another example of the fine work they are capable of. The picture has been anamorphically enhanced, and DTS sound is now available. That alone may warrant an upgrade from the previous DVD. However, there are hours upon hours of bonus materials that offer a great look at not only the production of "Reservoir Dogs," but also its influences and its effect on independent films. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of this special edition and with Collector´s Editions of "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie Brown" streeting in a similar timeframe, its good to be a Tarantino fan right now. This DVD is a great starting point to owning the ultimate Tarantino collection.
Extras:
"Reservoir Dogs: 10th Anniversary Edition" is a two-disc set. However, where most such special editions feature the film on one disc and the supplements on a second, "Reservoir Dogs" spaces the supplements out evenly over both discs. The reason for this is that the each disc presents a different aspect ratio of the film. The first disc is the widescreen version of the film. The second disc contains the cropped Pan & Scan version. Each disc has its own commentary tracks, and the menus and feel of each disc take on a different look. My only complaint is that the supplements listed on the back of the packaging do not list which supplements are on which disc. You have to take an educated guess.
The Select Scene Audio Commentary featuring the Cast and Crew is the accompanying commentary on the first DVD. Quentin Tarantino is notorious for his dislike of commentary tracks for his own films, and his inclusion on this disc is only because the commentary is pieced together in a Criterion style and is created from interviews and segments previously recorded from those involved. A lot of information is passed along, but I have always enjoyed commentaries where those involved are relating to each other and sharing their experiences. The Critics Commentaries on the second disc is three separate commentary tracks pieced together and featuring various critics. Ann Taubin of Film Comment, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone and author Emanuel Levy who wrote a book on independent film contribute various length segments on their thoughts about "Reservoir Dogs." Selecting one of these commentaries takes you to the scene where the commentary resides, which doesn´t populate the entire film.
There is a healthy dose of supplements on the first disc. The big attraction on this first disc will be the Deleted Scenes that includes two alternate camera angles of the famous torture scene where Mr. Blonde removes Marvin the cop's ear while dancing to "Stuck In The Middle." There are three deleted scenes and the two alternate angles to the torture scenes. Aside from the Theatrical Trailer, the first disc also features an hour long collection of All New Interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Lawrence Bender, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Michael Madsen, Eddie Bunker, Kirk Baltz, and others, You have the ability to play them individually or watch them all back to back. These interviews are newly recorded and cover a wide range of material. I found them all to be entertaining and learned quite a deal about "Reservoir Dogs."
The second disc is chock full of goodies as well. The first featurette is titled The Class of '92. This bit takes a look at some of the more prominent filmmakers to emerge from the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. This half-hour long feature contains a few minutes with Quentin Tarantino and also Alex Rockwell ("In The Soup"), Chris Munch ("Hours and Times"), Tom Kalin ("Swoon"), and Katt Shay ("Poison Ivy"). Each discusses their experiences in the 1992 Sundance Festival and offer some bits about Tarantino and "Reservoir Dogs." I particularly enjoyed a comment being made about Sundance not being what it was because of a Mariah Carey film being screened. As usual, Quentin is by far the most entertaining, and his description of the hardships of screening "Reservoir Dogs" is particularly noteworthy.
Footage from the 1991 Sundance Institute Filmmaker´s Lab shows two scenes from "Reservoir Dogs" being acted out by Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel and Steve Buscemi. These are ´practice´ scenes where Quentin was working on the material. The first one finds Buscemi portraying Mr. White and the real Mr. White portraying Joe Cabot. The second scene shows Tarantino taking over as Mr. White and Buscemi in an early Mr. Pink performance. These scenes are interesting, but the second one is more entertaining because of the ability to see Tarantino´s take on the character of Mr. White.
A number of Tributes and Dedications and other featurettes are also provided on the second disc. Dedicated To Lawrence Tierney runs for fifteen minutes and shows the cast and crew or "Reservoir Dogs" sharing their memories of working with Tierney and experiences they had with him on and off the set. Dedicated To Edward Bunker details how Bunker lived on the wrong side of the law and was even a member of the prestigious FBI "10 Most Wanted List." This tribute runs for about ten minutes. Reservoir Dogs Tributes features interviews with Monte Hellman, Jack Hill, Pam Grier, and Roger Corman. Film Noir Web features more interviews with Mike Hodges, Robert Polito, John Boorman, Donald Westlake, and Stephen Frears, men whom Tarantino credits for being his inspiration for "Reservoir Dogs."
A few smaller supplements finish off the feature laden second disc. Securing the Shot is a five minute look on the location scouting for "Reservoir Dogs." Small Dogs takes a look at the production of the "Reservoir Dogs" action figures. Style Guide is a VERY quick look at the style of the film. Poster Gallery lets you look at the three theatrical posters. The final sequence is KBILLY Radio. This feature allows you to listen to three audio only tracks and access a scene parody. The first audio sequence features an interview with a convict and his views on the film and on crime. The second are outtakes of Steven Wright´s recording sessions. The third track features the lead singer of Stealer´s Wheel. The famous ear scene is shown with "Reservoir Dogs" toys and runs for two minutes.
Summary:
"Reservoir Dogs" is an incredible film. It´s violent and bloody, but it is also a very intelligent film with great performances and a powerful story. The first DVD was a disappointment because of its lack of supplements. Artisan can really put together one hell of a special edition when they put their heads to it. This Anniversary Edition DVD is another example of the fine work they are capable of. The picture has been anamorphically enhanced, and DTS sound is now available. That alone may warrant an upgrade from the previous DVD. However, there are hours upon hours of bonus materials that offer a great look at not only the production of "Reservoir Dogs," but also its influences and its effect on independent films. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of this special edition and with Collector´s Editions of "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie Brown" streeting in a similar timeframe, its good to be a Tarantino fan right now. This DVD is a great starting point to owning the ultimate Tarantino collection.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]10517[/release]