You can tell the holidays are just around the corner. The first clue was the flood of themed triple features last week. This week brings a couple of long awaited special editions, one more than another. It also brings a new round of 'toon sets from the golden age of Disney after-school animation. That brings us to this week's top pick.
This week's must have DVD is not a recent blockbuster, nor is it a long awaited television series. This week's pick is a classic from a bygone era of science fiction. It was a time when robots were cool and Leslie Nielsen hadn't yet veered into the land of the spoofs. The pick, if you failed to read the title, is Forbidden Planet. It is a film that has stood the test of time and remained a classic of American cinema. Despite its silly effects and sets, at least by modern standards, it is a film that has created its own world and plays by its rules.
Originally released on DVD way back in 2000, it has been a must have for any DVD collector. Unfortunately, it was a bare bones release that was not without its image problems. I put off getting the disk as there were always rumors swirling of an upgraded release being right around the corner. This was originally slated for release last year, but was never officially announced, so there was much rejoicing when this release finally materialized.
This release boasts newly restored audio and video, as well as a host of extras. Among the extras are additional scenes, footage previously thought to be lost, and a pair of Robbie vehicles (including the 1958 MGM feature film The Invisible Boy), among a plethora of other things. Going beyond that, Warner is offering an Ultimate Edition that comes packaged in a nice looking tin, a collection of lobby cards, and a miniature replica of Robbie, plus an offer for a replica of the original poster.
This classic of 1950s cinema, based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, is a film that belongs in every collection. This set looks like the perfect way to fill that hole.
Article comments