Blu-Ray Review: Jaw-Dropping ‘Alien Anthology’ Stands Alone

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CHICAGO – I’ve reviewed hundreds of DVDs and Blu-ray box sets and I can’t think of any that top the HD release of “Alien Anthology,” an amazing release that should stand alone at the top of all holiday season wish lists and be one of the first purchases that happen after you buy a Blu-ray player. With FIVE DOZEN hours of special features, multiple versions of one of the most influential franchises in history, and gorgeous HD picture and sound, this is why Blu-ray was invented in the first place.

People often ask me why Blu-ray hasn’t taken off like it should have by now. The answer is complicated but I think a majority of the reason is that many of the favorite movies of the populous are not yet available on the format. Wait, I can buy a Blu-ray player and get my favorite movies, right? “Raiders of the Lost Ark”? “Jaws”? “Star Wars”? Nope, no, and not yet. One of the major disappointments of the format was that the classics “Alien” and “Aliens” were not yet available in HD and Fox kept teasing us by promising that a gorgeous box set, one to rival the DVD “Quadrilogy” release, would eventually hit the market. That eventuality is here and it was worth the wait.

All four films are presented with pristine video and audio quality, but it’s the first two movies, the ones most of you really care about, that are the most remarkable. They look spectacular. The contrast levels, the color choices, the line detail — they’re jaw-dropping. Even the grain level has been perfectly rendered so the films don’t look unnatural. Apparently, the “Alien 3” and “Alien Resurrection” transfers weren’t as upgraded although they still look great — just not as refined or remarkable as the first two films.

The audio is similarly mind-blowing. Turn on “Aliens” and turn it up loud. Wake the neighbors. Rattle your bones. And be blown away by the perfect mix of dialogue, score, and sound effects. According to reports, Charles Dance, Lance Henriksen, and Sigourney Weaver even rerecorded some dialogue for “Alien 3” purely for this edition. That’s dedication to a Blu-ray release.

Alien Anthology was released on Blu-ray on October 26th, 2010
Photo credit: Fox

As for special features, everything from the “Quadrilogy” set has been transferred over and enhanced by Blu-ray functionality. There have been multiple box sets and releases of these films and nearly everything that has been previously available, down to the Easter Eggs and material from the laserdisc releases, has been included in “Alien Anthology.” It seems like that should a no-brainer but it’s sad how often previously-available special features don’t make the leap to the new format.

In terms of new special features, each of the films come with a new isolated score audio track but that’s just the beginning. Believe it or not, the original documentary about the making of “Alien 3,” “Wreckage and Rage,” was censored by Fox when it was released in the “Quadrilogy” to soften Fincher’s opinion about what went wrong with the production. It’s been uncensored. About 100 “Riddleygrams,” art sketches done by Ridley Scott for the first film, which were not available last time, are here now. And all of the documentaries from the last release have additional footage and information totaling about four hours.

Of course, the biggest difference with the bonus material comes in presentation. All four films feature “MU-TH-UR Mode,” which allows documentaries, interviews, and more to play along with the film. There’s also a trivia track and an amazing function that allows you track things you’re interested in while you watch the four films for the player to then remember when you put in the special features discs 5 and 6. Finally, in another “wow, that’s neat” moment, you can play the four films without breaks, warnings, or menus. Put one disc in and select “Disc Unbound” and when you move on to the next film, the saga just continues.

Even the housing of the six-discs in what feels like a hardcover book with beautiful artwork enclosed in a beautifully-designed slipcase is above-average. There’s not a single flaw in the entire release. Check out the list of special features below (which total over 60 hours) and go buy one for yourself. If you own a Blu-ray player, it’s not really doing its job without the “Alien Anthology.”

Special Features:
o Director’s Cut/Special Edition of All Four Films
o Blu-ray Exclusive MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience
o Full-Length Audio Commentary For All Movie Versions
o Unseen Dailies
o Deleted Scenes
o In-Depth Behind The Scenes
o Over 12,000 Photographs And Stills
o Isolated Scores
o Alternate And Unused Cues
o Archival Documentaries
o Test Footage
o TV Specials
o Multi-Angel Studies
o And More!

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]