Region 1 misses out on: - Flipper disc (they must be devastated)
Region 4 misses out on: - Pan & Scan version of the film
- Theatrical Trailer
- Commentary track by Wolfgang Petersen (and excellent it is too by all accounts)
Before I get accused of being a Buena Vista basher, let me say I am happy that they are in the marketplace giving us some great films. It is simply a pity that they present them on such poor DVDs - and this is perhaps the prime example (although Starship Troopers is also vying for the title). This is a Columbia TriStar release in Region 1, and despite the veritable feast of extras by comparison, they have managed to present the film on a single side of a dual sided disc and given the other side over to a full frame version of the film. Why then can Buena Vista fit virtually nothing but three additional subtitle choices (six in Region 4 compared to three in Region 1) onto the DVD whilst losing the audio commentary and trailer, and have to make it a dual sided disc for one film version only? This is unacceptable no matter how you look at it. If for some technical reason what comparatively little they have to offer could not be fitted onto a single layer, single sided disc, then why not use RSDL formatting as opposed to a completely disruptive flipper? Buena Vista really need to look at themselves very seriously. Consumer pressure in the UK got the Region 2 flipper of Armageddon replaced by an RSDL format DVD - with free replacement to disgruntled consumers. Perhaps we should all complain to Buena Vista about this effort, seeking a replacement? Whatever you do, get the Region 1 version if at all possible. At the price you can get it off the web retailers, it should arrive on your doorstep at much the same sort of price, and it is a far better DVD. Buena Vista do not deserve our support of this release: rant and rave over.
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