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 Close Encounters of the Third Kind
DVD Review by Yanman |
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"We didn't choose this place. We didn't choose these people. They were invited! They belong here more then we." While Steve Spielberg was already an accomplished director by 1977, after directing the box-office sensation Jaws in 1975. After this success, Spielberg turned his efforts from the seas to the skies by writing and direction Close Encounters of the Third Kind. From its initial release, to a Special Edition release in theaters just a year and a half later, audiences have flocked to this now classic film. Since the advent of DVD just a few years ago, there has been a list of movies that collectors are waiting for and of course many Spielberg films top this list. The Collector's Edition DVD of Close Encounters of the Third Kind was well worth the wait, with great video, two new 5.1 soundtracks (DTS and Dolby Digital), and hours of extras. When a large group of people starts to see UFOs, the government continues to take it long time stand that extraterrestrials do not exist. When the aliens make contact however, the government cover-up turns into a welcome wagon party. Will any of the little people that the aliens really want to meet get to go to the party, or will the government succeed in keeping this one under raps? If you have only seen this movie on TV or on VHS, then you have never see this one in all its glory. While not perfect the digitally remastered widescreen anamorphic picture is better then any version of this movie then ever seen before. Flaws seem to be limited to minor film grain and those inherent to the master used to create the DVD. For a movie that is close to 25 years old at this point this is most likely as good as it gets. Sound on the other hand is even better then we could have hoped for with both a superb Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack and an equal (if not superior) DTS track included as well. While I have heard some skeptics complain that remastered multi-channel soundtracks do not sound as good as ones created that way from the beginning, I challenge anyone to say that about this one. For a two-disk set the extras are rater limited, with only 2 documentaries and 11 deleted scenes, really qualifying as true extras. Don't be too deceived by this limited number of extras though, just one of the documentaries is close to 2-hours long. While this documentary does have lengthy interviews with Steven Spielberg, it is still missing our favorite extra, the director's commentary. Come on Steven, we know your busy, but we want to hear your comments on every scene of some of our favorite movies. It has been a long wait, but know some of the most beloved films of all times have now started to surface on DVD. Spielberg films of course have top the most wanted list since early in the format's inception. With first Jurassic Park, and now Close Encounters of the Third Kind our expectations of how great these masterpieces would be preserved on this format where greatly exceeded. Lets hope that the rest of Spielberg's classic films are soon to follow (Like ET and Raiders of the Lost Ark), and are of equal or better quality. Oh, and Steven if you are listening, WE WANT A DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY…
This DVD was reviewed on Yanman.com's Reference Theater #1, using a Toshiba SD-5109 DVD player, Toshiba TW56X81, and M&K 750 THX Speakers. Panamax protects all systems at Yanman.com. |
Close Encounters of the Third Kind "Well worth the wait." Staring: Richard Dreyfuss Directed By: Steven Spielberg Running time: 137 Mins. Bonus Materials
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