So with everyone focusing on Montreal, it seems we forgot about the US re-release of the Flash movie :) Anyone watch it yet? Is it the same as the import Silver Anniversary Edition (but in NTSC)? The import disc looks amazing and has some great commentaries...it looks like it was shot yesterday....
Picture quality was a stark improvement over the previous US release, the 5.1 was decent, the packaging is lovely but the bonus materials were seriously lacking. No commentary, making of documentary or anything meaty. Instead we have an interview with the fella who designed the DVD art and while he's clearly a big fan of the movie (and of Queen) he's got fuck all to do with the movie. Another interview was with the film's screenwriter which at least allowed *some* insight into the film but definitely would've been better had it been included in a more robust doc. There's an episode of the original "Flash" serial, a trailer and not much else. Universal dropped the ball on this one.
I was reading some Amazon reviews and apparently Universal didn't want to pay for the commentaries that are on the Silver Anniversary Edition. The US version is a darker print as well but some like that better. Also the US version has a different serial than the UK one.
Why I'm happy:
$16.99 for a DVD of Flash Gordon. Beats the crap out of the $50 you've had to pay for an import previoiusly
Why I'm not happy:
1. Bonus features suck. That old Flash TV show sucked. The guy who drew the cover sucked. Lorenzo whatever sucked. And I've already seen the Sci Fi channel trailer.
2. Sam Jones recently recorded a commentary for what was supposed to be the new Region 1 release. Where is that? It's not on the Silver European release either.
3. No deleted scenes? They left them all in? I can't believe that!!!
4. No packaging extras. The disc, case, and artwork. No paperwork inside: a book, chapter list, A Sam Jones fan club coupon, anything!!!
Micrówave wrote: Why I'm happy:
$16.99 for a DVD of Flash Gordon. Beats the crap out of the $50 you've had to pay for an import previoiusly
Why I'm not happy:
1. Bonus features suck. That old Flash TV show sucked. The guy who drew the cover sucked. Lorenzo whatever sucked. And I've already seen the Sci Fi channel trailer.
2. Sam Jones recently recorded a commentary for what was supposed to be the new Region 1 release. Where is that? It's not on the Silver European release either.
3. No deleted scenes? They left them all in? I can't believe that!!!
4. No packaging extras. The disc, case, and artwork. No paperwork inside: a book, chapter list, A Sam Jones fan club coupon, anything!!!
Actually I bought my import online somewhere a few months ago for less than $20...so there's really no reason to buy the US edition.
I long for the day when the owners ask Brian for a decent copy of the soundtrack and re-dubbing takes place.
The crap audio is all that lets down this great film now the visuals have been cleaned up.
Oh, and the same goes for Highlander.