DVD Reviews

Alien Quadrilogy

When Alien first came out back in 1979, no one first watching it expected how terrifying and how fantastic the film was. Twenty-five years later, the film is still terrifying and still fantastic. But beyond that it spawned a franchise that is admired, studied, and is very influential in the science fiction genre. So what better way to celebrate the film’s silver anniversary and the franchise it created than to release a brand new DVD box set of the entire Alien legacy? While Alien and its sequels were already released on DVD years before in a successful and ample box set, the filmmakers and producers knew that they could release a much better box set than before. So, years later, they began producing this new box set to coincide with the theatrical release of an Alien Director’s Cut. And while the last box set was excellent, this new set is beyond phenomenal.

This nine-disc set (!!!) not only contains all four of the Alien films completely remastered with a beautiful image and awesome sound, but you also get a new version of each film that contains new and extended scenes. These new versions, which are called special editions and not director’s cuts, are also remastered for optimal picture and sound. The image quality on each of the films are like new, with excellent colour correction, perfect contrast, and sharp all the way through. The 5.1 Dolby Digital track for each film is astounding, with exceptional range, a superb mix, and a kicking LFE track that provides a lot of impact. The DTS track is better and provides more impact, but it is only offered for two of the four movies.

Then there is the special features which, to put it simply, will blow your mind. Each film and its alternate version contain an entertaining and informative commentary with all the major players involved in each film. Then you get the second disc that accompanies each film that contains hours upon hours of making-of material. Covering all aspects of each production from start to finish, what you watch is essentially a very long making-of documentary divided up into ten to twelve featurettes. Anything and everything that you could possibly know about the making of the films are in these featurettes. Plus you will also get several large still image galleries, various rehearsal and test footage, multi-angle scene studies, deleted scenes, and all new interviews with some of the major players of each film. After all that you still get an additional disc which contains trailers and TV spots, DVD-ROM material, a documentary on the evolution of the Alien franchise, restored material from the original laserdisc releases, and more featurettes and image galleries. All in all, across these nine discs, you get a total of more than forty-five hours of viewing material. That means it will take you almost two full days in one sitting to view everything in this brand new box set. Amazing!

Alien still has the effect it had when it first came out. Though it may not be as shocking as it was when it was released, it has gone beyond and is something much better. The sequels, which are arguably better or worse than the first depending on who you talk to, are still major staples in this franchise that fans are just as devoted to as they are to the original. For most, you can’t have one without the others. These films have an importance in the sci-fi genre and should always be given the proper treatment that is so rightfully deserves. It got that and so much more in this new box set. Everything you’ve ever wanted to see, hear, and know about the Alien franchise is in this phenomenal box set that everyone must have in their collection or it will be incomplete. This is without a doubt one of the absolute best DVD sets ever released that easily rivals other five-star DVD releases. The films look and sound great, they are fantastic to watch, and the features are amazing. There is no easier way to put this: you have to get this box set!

Review by Chris Emery