Blu-Ray Review: Amazing Extended Edition Box Set of ‘The Lord of the Rings’

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CHICAGO – A few times every year, a box set comes into our office that simply feels beyond review. What is there to say about something as notable as the “Alien Quadrilogy” with its five days worth of special features or the gorgeous set for the “Back to the Future” movies? They’re must-owns that are beyond any minor criticism. Such is also the case with Warner Bros.’ recently-released set for the extended editions of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” films. If you own a Blu-ray player, it’s incomplete without this box set. It’s that simple.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

Is there any room for criticism with FIFTEEN DISCS of material? Well, the only thing that might raise an eyebrow is that 60% of those discs aren’t actually Blu-ray discs. The supplemental material for each film is included in standard DVD form. Of course, it’s the films themselves and how amazing they look in HD and with accompanying audio excellence that will be the major selling point but when one buys a “Blu-ray set,” they expect the majority of what they buy to actually be in HD. It’s the only minor complaint for a major box set.

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy -- Extended Edition was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy — Extended Edition was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

As I said, supplemental material is always icing on the cake when it comes to Blu-ray — it’s the movies that matter. And they look and sound better than ever with Warner Bros.’ skill at HD remastering. These are stellar transfers with just the right color mixing and visual remastering. They don’t look overly polished. They look just like you want them to look. These are reason alone to buy a Blu-ray player.

What about the special features? It’s impossible that there’s anything of note missing from this set. Honestly, if you’re complaining, you’re a little too deep into your Middle Earth obsession. With the multiple commentary tracks on top of the discs of special features, it would take you days to get through them all. What are you doing reading? Get to work.

The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy -- Extended Edition was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy — Extended Edition was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Special Features:

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
o Commentary with Director & Writers
o Commentary with Design Team
o Commentary with Production and Post Production
o Commentary with Cast
o The Appendices Part 1 From Book to Vision
o Peter Jackson Introduction
o JRR Tolkien: Creator of Middle-earth
o From Book to Script
o Visualizing the Story
o Designing and Building Middle Earth
o Middle Earth Atlas Interactive
o New Zealand and Middle Earth Interactive
o The Appendices Part 2-From Vision to Reality (M. Pellerin)
o Elijah Wood Introduction
o Filming “The Fellowship of the Ring”
o Visual Effects 57
o Post Production: Putting it all Together
o Digital Grading
o Sound and Music
o The Road Goes Ever On…
o Costa Botes Documentary
o The Fellowship of the Ring: Behind the Scenes
o Easter Eggs
o BD-Live Enabled

“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
o Commentary with Director & Writers
o Commentary with Design Team
o Commentary with Production & Post Production
o Commentary with Cast
o The Appendices Part 3 - The Journey Continues
o Peter Jackson Introduction
o JRR Tolkien: Origin of Middle Earth
o From Book to Script: Finding the Story
o Designing and Building Middle-Earth
o Gollum
o Middle-Earth Atlas Interactive
o New Zealand as Middle Earth (map with video location)
o The Appendices Part 4 - The Battle for Middle Earth From Extended Edition
o Elijah Wood Introduction
o Filming the Two Towers
o Visual Effects
o Editorial: Refining the Story
o Music and Sound
o The Battle for Helm’s Deep is Over…
o Costa Botes Documentary From Limited Edition
o The Two Towers: Behind the Scenes
o Easter Eggs
o BD-Live Enabled

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
o Commentary with Director & Writers
o Commentary with Design Team
o Commentary with Production & Post Production
o The Appendices Part 5- The War of the Ring
o Peter Jackson introduction
o JRR Tolkien: The Legacy of Middle Earth
o From Book to Script
o Designing and Building Middle-Earth 1
o Home of the Horse Lords
o Middle-Earth Atlas
o New Zealand as Middle-Earth
o The Appendices Part 6- The Passing of an Age
o Introduction
o Filming “The Return of the King”
o Visual Effects
o Post-Production: Journey’s End
o The Passing of an Age
o Cameron Duncan: The Inspiration for “Into the West”
o Costa Botes Documentary From Limited Edition
o The Return of the King: Behind the Scenes
o Easter Eggs
o BD-Live Enabled

“The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy — Extended Edition” was released on Blu-ray on June 28th, 2011.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

jans's picture

Have been waiting forever!

I’ve been waiting forever for this LOTR series!

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