MovieFreak.com - "Indiana Jones DVD Movie Collection - Bonus Features Disc" DVD Review by Dennis Landmann

DVD REVIEW

Indiana Jones DVD Bonus Disc (2003)

Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Karen Allen, Cate Capshaw, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davis, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams

Rating: NR

Distributor: Paramount Home Entertainment

Release Date: October 21, 2003
Review posted: November 17, 2003

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by Dennis Landmann

The Extras

The Big Kahuna on disc 4 is the 136-minute Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy, which can be played as one large chunk or in three parts corresponding to each film. The documentary contains enough behind-the-scenes footage to make you drool. Well, not literally, but you get the idea. Some of the things happening on-set is Harrison Ford joking around, Spielberg describing things to the actors and scenes playing out from behind the camera. The documentary also features all-new interviews with the cast and crew. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are enthusiastic talking about the films. The actors also look like they're having a good time remembering the good old days. I don't want to say anything else but to say that this documentary provides a great behind-the-scenes of the films. Some of the stories revealed here are pretty interesting and good to know. However, the documentary doesn't go into incredible detail about the "making" of the films. For a series that dates back 20 to 10 years, the wealth of information and footage is enough to satisfy every fan of the films.

Next are four featurettes that deal with specific areas in the making of the films. First is The Light and Magic of Indiana Jones, a 12-minute featurette that deals with the special effects of all three films. Selected scenes from all three films are presented and explained.

Next is The Stunts of Indiana Jones, an 11-minute look at the incredible stunts of all three films. Back in the days stunts didn't take place in front of green screens when the danger seemed too high. The story behind Indiana Jones crawling under the truck during the chase in Raiders of the Lost Arc was actually improvised if I remember correctly. Cool stuff! The Sound of Indiana Jones is a 13-minute exploration of the sound effects and other things. Last but not least is The Music of Indiana Jones, 12-minute look at the scoring of the film with John Williams. This is a great ode to an incredible score.

All four featurettes are really fun and interesting to watch. They also include English, French and Spanish subtitles. Effectively, the information here doesn't repeat from the "making the trilogy" documentary.

Rounding out the extras are theatrical trailers for all three films, teaser trailers for Raiders of the Lost Arc and Last Crusade, and a re-release trailer for Raiders. For nice effect all of these are anamorphic presentations. Also included is an exclusive weblink as well as a video game demo for Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb.

I would be lying if I didn't want commentaries for the films, but I know Spielberg doesn't believe in them. The overall feeling of the extras is exciting. However, they're not overwhelming. Something feels lacking, but what we get is enough to satisfy our hunger.

You can select to view all three films with optional English, French and Spanish subtitles. The 115-minute Raiders of the Lost Arc is organized into thirty-one chapters. The 118-minute Temple of Doom is organized into thirty-one chapters. The 126-minute Last Crusade is organized into thirty-six chapters. Menus for all four discs are rather dull, but certainly very easy to navigate.

Overall

Two fantastic films (Raiders, Crusade) and one less-than-extravagant adventure (Doom), plus a fourth bonus disc with some cool featurettes and a great documentary, the Indiana Jones DVD Movie Collection is the one to own. The wait is finally over and it was worth it. Quality knows a new name: Indiana Jones DVD. This 4-disc set is worth every penny.