Each film is of course presented in a widescreen print. The most amazing thing about this set is Alien. Not because of the movie, but the print used to present it. Though it's the oldest film in the set, it looks like it came out last year. The restoration job here is one of the best I've ever laid my eyes on. You'll constantly be reassuring yourself this movie came out in 1979. The sounh has also been reworkd in DTS and standard 5.1. Most of the film is still centered and fornt powered, but some of the steam/electrical effects really add to the claustorphobic feeling the movie is aiming for. Aliens print has taken a beating. James Cameron is supposedly happy with the print, but that's pretty hard to swallow. Though the colors are strong (as are the black levels), there is a constant flow of grain and dirt creeping it's way onto the print. There are very few moments of complete clarity and I can't fathom why more work wasn't done in this one. Dolby Digital 5.1 is the new mix presented here and really picks things up with the massive array of weaponary. The title creatures approach from every angle and just by listening you know which way their coming from.
Alien 3, with it's dark corridors and bright orange hues should be a DVD nightmare, but everything holds up more than admirably. The print is so clean, that the already poor CG alien shots look even more painfully obvious. The echo effects are flawless in the 5.1 track thanks to the more advanced sound system used to shoot the movie. Note that as mentioned above, the deleted scenes in the extended version have inaubile dialogue for the most part and you'll have to deal with the subtitles. Alien Ressuraction is also clean throughout and is only the second film to use a DTS track. The deep bass coupled with the strange European style of photography are perfect for the format, but the film itself is better off forgotten amonst die-hard fans. Also take note that every film features a commentary track, 3 of which include the directors (guess which one doesn't?).
Article comments
1 - jadester
I actually thought Alien 3 was slightly better than Aliens, but there ya go. Alien 4 is just pitiful though. By then, they had no excuse not to have the aliens reach earth and cause havoc.
2 - Tom Johnson
Alien 3 was a letdown because it didn't go anywhere from Aliens. They just borrowed a lot of the ideas from Aliens. While I agree it's nowhere near as bad as most have said it is, it's a pretty big step down from the masterpieces that Alien was and the near masterpiece that Aliens was.
I got this on my Xmas list, so I hope I find this thing under my tree . . . along with McFarlane's amazing new Alien figures (the Queen has to be seen to be believed.)
3 - Matt Paprocki
Tom, that Mcfarlane Alien Queen is awesome. Just be careful when setting her up. She has major tipping issues!
4 - Tom Johnson
Matt, you make me jealous! I haven't even gotten to see it in real life yet. I finally tracked down the Warrior at a Suncoast . . . I could only look at it, hopeful it would wind up under our tree on Christmas. I so, so wish I'd bought the $150 vinyl model of the Queen I drooled over for a couple years as a teen. I saw a finished one at the state fair and couldn't believe how big it was. The detail was amazing. I'll make up for it with the McFarlane "toys." (Like anyone plays with them.)
5 - toddword
A fine film.Does justice to the series without being overbering,and does a fine job explaining how certain things came about.The lead actress comes off as an extention of Ripley rather than a rip-off.To her credit,she really worked her butt off trying to establish a character film-goers could empathise with.All in all,a worthy effort-hope she is in the sequel
6 - Luke
"Near masterpiece"? Excuse me, but Aliens is a masterpiece.