Alien/Aliens/Alien Iii/Alien: Resurrection

Well what's there to say about this latest Alien box set that hasn't already been said. I got it shortly after I told myself I wasn't going to get it thanks to an Amazon one day sale that made it cheaper than what I had originally paid for Alien Quadrilogy (Alien/ Aliens /Alien 3 /Alien Resurrection) and it seemed quite worth it at that point. I was a bit disappointed after my viewing of the second film, not with the film it's self but with the quality of the transfer. Aliens was really buggy and had lots of flicker and grain, I don't really mind the grain and I can't figure out if the flickering is a problem with my display set up or with the actual transfer I'm guessing it's the former since I haven't seen any other complaints about it but honestly I was expecting a little bit better treatment for arguably the biggest film in the franchise. The DVD version on the Quadrilogy set didn't have any of this flickering in the darker scenes and holds up just about as well under scrutiny. Like I said, I don't mind grain in a film that's better than 20 years old but I've yet to find a reason for this weird flickering it does. Since I'm more fond of the theatrical version of Aliens as opposed to the extended version I was thinking maybe they were lazy and just used an old transfer for the theatrical and remastered the extended for Blu-Ray but upon viewing that version all the same problems are present. I've adjusted every possible setting and I can't get rid of this flicker, it's not a huge deal it's just kinda distracting. James Cameron mentions in the commentary some technical aspects of the film stock used for this film that was far to technical and involved for me to understand without a degree from film school but what little I could glean from the director mentioned something to the fact that the film used was very prone to grain and other problems, so I think that explains away some of the problems with this transfer. There's only so much the remastering process can do, I guess. The sound on this film has always been one of the standout parts of the movie and it gets a really nice treatment in the HD 5.1, there's lots of subtle sound effects that are mixed to perfection and simplified enough so that even if you don't have a big whopper of a sound system it still sounds great on your regular TV output. This is usually something I'm concerned with since I watch movies mostly late at night and don't wanna keep the neighbors up listening to Alien Queens screeching. This is one of the all time great sci-fi films and it's James Cameron at his best, in my humble opinion I just wish Fox would have spent a little money restoring it for this particular release. I'd also like to mention that it has one of the most entertaining commentary tracks I've ever heard and if I'm not mistaken it won some kind of DVD award back in '03 Ok the evaluation of the Aliens disc is over so I'm sure 75% people stopped reading that's why I went ahead and started with the second movie instead of the first. Alien, is a fantastic looking transfer it looks totally new. If Sigourney Weaver weren't running around looking like a doe-eyed teenager through the whole film I'd think it came out this year. I mean someone put some serious work into this, although this transfer is not exclusive to this disc, it's the same one used from the Quadrilogy set. If you remember the film was released back into theaters shortly before or after the Quad set came out, I can't remember exactly but I know the film was restored from the ground up for this anniversary event this Blu-Ray just features the highest possible quality of that particular transfer/remaster. The sound is as good as I've ever heard for this particular film, I've noticed a lot of little sound effects and even been able to discern some words out of the muttering a lot of the characters did in the film without having to crank my sound system up to 40 (it only goes to 30) just to make out what they're saying. I guess that has something to do with the HD audio as opposed to the now standard 5.1 mix. I've watched both versions although I'm more fond of the theatrical version again. Alien 3, is a sharp looking film, seeing it in high def brings a new appreciation to the beautiful sets and art direction, at least it did for me and I've seen this movie a million times... Alien 3? You know the one with the Alien eating all the baddie baldies that no one cares about and holy cow Ripley has also become a baddie baldy and oh no there's a Alien in her too what should we too, how about we all commit suicide by alien just because we hate the company that much. I admit it's not the greatest film in the world but it does have some shining moments here and there. I like it, I still think it was a solid sci-fi flick if only for the mood it created and taking the established Alien series staple of a "used future" to the most extreme of extremes. David Fincher is one of my favorite directors because he seems to pay extra attention to the atmosphere subtle background noise can create and in the HD 5.1 mix it really comes out. Also concerning the sound, people who've already bought the Alien Quadrilogy will be happy to know that all the audio in the "Workprint" version has been fixed and it plays just like a normal movie instead of something Fox stole back from the internet and slapped on a DVD. The picture on this film is quite crisp and sharp looking I don't have any complaints about the visual or sound on this disc. It may in fact be the best looking film in the whole set if you can stand the unbelievable crap of the story of the film, it's a pleasure to look at though and exceptionally sound designed. The forth and final film, so far, Ridley Scott has a forward written onto this box set that mentions a prequel film, I've been hearing about one of those since Alien 3 so I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. This movie looks only slightly better on Blu-Ray then the DVD for a film this new I would have expected it to be a little more sharp in HD. Darius Khandji's photography comes out really nicely though. The sharp contrasts and deep dark blacks show up really nicely although mostly this film just seems brown, everything is brown in this movie, even the Aliens are brown! I can't tell if this version is any better than the DVD because honestly I don't know how many different ways there are to convey the color brown regardless of it's encoding. The space shots, the underwater scene all look pretty good though and like I said where there is a contrast between brown and another color it looks really nice. I won't even begin to get into how crap this movie is, but I will say this, it's probably got the most spins in my PS3 since I bought this set mainly because it's the easiest movie of the lot to pick up since there's not much of a story and it's not a very long film. This film is a shining example as to why your director should speak the same language as the cast. Jean-Pierre Jeunet has made some fantastic French films this is his only "bad" film and not really a bad film but directing actors through an interpreter had to be quite a hindrance. I can barely give directions to the nearest gas station when someone interprets into Spanish for me so I don't even want to imagine what getting a performance out of an actor was like for him. Not the greatest film ever but I think it's watchable and at it's lowest points nowhere near as bad as either AvP film. I was really wanting to type up a short review before I left for work tonight, but apparently I've gotten a bit verbose I apologize to anyone still reading I really am trying to be as concise as possible. This is basically a Blu-Ray version of the previous Quadrilogy set with a few added features, mainly short videos and images here and there, as far as the BRD exclusives are concerned. All of the commentaries and virtually everything is from 2003 so basically Fox just double-dipped the material into a more expensive package. The biggest bonus is that it's not such a hassle to open and get a disc out, everything is contained in a simple little book that holds each disc in it's own page. All the special features from the Quad are contained on one disc while every other stitch of Alien related media is on the final disc. A bit about the Blu-Ray exclusives; "Disc-Unbound" is a pretty cool idea, a six disc set that also features "Muther-Mode" where you can select a list of related features throughout the course of a film and then after the film pop in the related disc and play those selections. Kinda a cool idea it's just a shame this is all stuff I have seen a dozen times watching the Quad set. Also all the different audio tracks, subtitled commentaries so if you want to watch the movie with it's audio playing and just read the commentary, which is what I usually do is pretty neat. Isolated scores and on some films totally alternate isolated film scores are also neat in a fanboy way. I gave this set 5 stars for being the perfected version of the old Quadrilogy set which was a 4 star set at best. But in the long run you're not getting much more than the Quad in sleek new packaging with some neat new little gimmicks. I'd like to mention a bit about the packaging, I've never seen anything so sleek and well thought out with the fans in mind. Where with most box sets they just slap a bunch of discs in a generic box and ship it out and sell it to the public. This has got to be one of the most unique designs I've ever seen, it features a book like layout and each disc fits into it's own page with a double wide splash page between each disc. It's a dream compared to all the unfolding and dropping that came with the folding cardboard nine disc layout in the old Quad set. In closing I'd like to mention that if you're looking for the most bang for your buck the old Quad set costs about what this one does and has just about everything this set has to offer minus some minor bonuses, I recommend it if you've got the cash but at the same time the frugal person in me would have probably just bought the Quadrilogy instead. I'm sure they'll release the movies in individual form sooner or later so if you really don't want the third and fourth films I'd just wait for that.

I recently purchased a PS3 for the bonus of using it as a Blu-ray player, so I set out to purchase the Blu-ray versions of many of my favorite, classic Sci-Fi films. As the title of my review suggests, I already own the Alien Anthology DVD Edition, so I wanted to compare between the two for quality, which is why I gave it 5 stars. At the time I have posted this review, the Blu-Ray version is also incredibly cheap already for such a new release (2013) while the DVD version was released in (2010) - far cheaper than when I originally purchased the DVD Edition a few years ago. However, both are about the same price point now depending on sales. The extra money IS worth it for the Blu-Ray version if you have the means to play them. My review also contains below my thoughts on each film as well if you prefer an opinion if these films are even worth watching (if you are a first time viewer). And also, if one is deciding whether or not to watch the "theatrical" release or "director's cut" first of each film. IMAGE QUALITY: - Outstanding While the DVD version is already pretty decent, the Blu-Ray version of each of these films are definitely high-quality. A lot sharper detail on everything. There are definitely areas of scenes that were far more clearer, especially for background area, compared to the older VHS, and then transition to DVD. SOUND QUALITY: - Excellent Again here, my opinion is that the sound has improved slightly from the DVD version. This Blu-Ray version specifically has cleaned up audio on some of the films such as the Alien 3 Director's Cut DVD. The original Alien 3 Director's Cut DVD had input alternate or new scenes, but the audio that was spliced in was extremely quiet - it was so queit they put text on the TV so you could actually hear what they are saying for specific extra scenes. On the Blu-Ray version its not a problem at all, you can hear them perfectly and they removed the automatic subtitling from those scenes. OVERALL PACKAGE: - VERY good Plenty of extra's, all of the director's cut and theatrical releases are available in high quality, you can also watch them with commentary on or off, and there is also another disc that delves into the Alien Universe. THE FILMS: My first recommendation is to watch all of these in order, to really get a sense of the beginning of the film that definitely defined true Horror combined with Science Fiction. No doubt, these films gave me nightmares when I was child. Alien (Must See) - Where it all started and while it is old, it has stood up to the test of time with a sense of 'believability' despite the old technology used to make the film. You'll feel like you are watching real people on a space ship that are exploring planets. ------ *Should I watch the Theatrical or Director's Cut first? I recommend watching the Director's Cut -- The extra scenes do 'add' to the film's original plot, rather than becoming distractions. But do definitely watch the Theatrical release to see the difference and decide for yourself. Aliens (Excellent) - The nightmare is back for Ripley and this time its payback. The character is a strong-willed survivor that really shows that Female Heroines are needed in more films and stories. You might be thinking, well Ripley has backup this time, so maybe nothing too bad will happen, right, RIGHT? But most people already do know if they haven't seen it already ;). I think the premise of these films is more believable in confronting an unknown horror, while not invincible, the Aliens (or "xenomorphs") of this fictional universe are deadly efficient and do not give up. ------ *Should I watch the Theatrical or Director's Cut first? DEFINITELY watch the Director's Cut first - again, the extra scenes do add to the overall arcing story rather than significantly altering anything. Watch the Theatrical Release to see the difference. Alien 3 (Very Good) - Controversial for many fans, as many film goers or avid book readers are used to the Hero or Heroine and their friends having a perfect ending, which is a common "trope" of stories. This film takes that idea and turns it upside down, because this is the Alien Universe after all. Not everything turns out perfect in our world or a fictional world, and certainly not a fictional universe with aliens such as Xenomorphs. As I said with "Aliens" - Xenomorphs are relentless, emotional, nightmarish creatures that will do anything to propagate its species like an overgrown parasite. For those that have seen it, they will know exactly what I am referring to, but I do not want to spoil it for those that have not seen it. For what's it worth, I think the setting is perfect and conducive to the dark, creepy settings of the first two films and the ending is also good, with a sense of relief for the main character (The Nightmare feels like it is finally over). ------ *Should I watch the Theatrical or Director's Cut first? For this one, I have to say that the Theatrical release SHOULD be watched first. The Director's Cut is essentially an ALTERNATE movie with different events taking place, while its 'ok' in its own right, the Theatrical release feels more appropriate to the continuity of watching each film in succession. DO watch the Director's cut after to see the difference. Alien 4 or "Alien Resurrection" (Fair/Good) - I have always had mixed feelings about this film, as is common for many other fans of the series. The setting is great, but the writer (Joss Whedon) often input satirical components into the Alien Universe, which felt out of place. There is a joke, for instance, in the film (SPOILER?) where the always "up to no good" corporation "Weyland Yutani" (which any reader should or viewer of all of the 3 previous films should know by now) is "bought up by Wal-Mart." Its one of those moments where you kind of just have to laugh at the absurdity of placing such a comment in a film like this. The film itself still captures the horrifying feeling from the first 3 films and the specific effects are definitely great for both the new "CGI" Xenomorphs and the newest suits they used for the Xenomorphs. However, the story itself takes out any of the mystery and "unknown" from the first films. All in all - the film itself feels like a mess, and Ripley is deduced to a campy action hero, BUT the ACTING is plenty good for what it is. ------ *Should I watch the Theatrical or Director's Cut first? I would have to say the Director's Cut in this instance, the original theatrical release (according to the director Jeunet who was already at odds with the writer Joss Whedon), was in essence the "actual" director's cut. The extra scenes in the Director's scene do lend to try and connect Ripley to the former films. So there you have it folks. Its fairly cheap at the time I bought it and definitely a great addition for any movie collector, avid film watcher, or Sci-Fi Junkie.

SI ERES FAN DE LA ANTHOLOGY ALIEN!!!. PUES UNA DESICION MUY ACEPTADA,AL ALQUIRIR ESTA COLECCION. EXCENAS REMASTILIZADAS CON UNA IDEAL Y ACLARADA VISION Y CALIDAD BLU-RAY. UNA PENSE QUE FUESE A QUEDAR TAN TAMBIEN LOS ARREGLOS QUE LE HAN HECHO A ESTOS FILMS. UNA IDEAL COMPRA A BUEN PRECIO Y CON VERDADEROS FORMATOS Y CLAROS Y TINIDOS COLORES DE OSCUROS Y BLANCOS. Y SI TE GUSTA EN SU LENGUA ORIGINAL Y TIENES QUE VERLAS CON SUBTITULOS EN CASTELLANO,SE VE GENIAL.EN FIN NO TE ARREPENTIRAS.MUY BUENA LE DOY LOS CINCO ESTRELLAS. SALUDOS JUAN RAUL

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La Alien Anthology de 6 blu-ray es casi perfecta y tiene un verdadero valor coleccionable debido a su alta calidad tanto en el material incluido en cada disco como por la excelente manufactura de esta edición. La caja está fabricada a manera de libro y carece por completo de plásticos ya que todo está hecho de un cartón grueso y de buena calidad. La impresión es perfecta y el arte está realmente bien cuidado poniendo varias de las escenas más icónicas de cada filme en las "hojas" correspondientes. Además de que la impresión de las pastas duras del libro como su "case" o funda de cartón están impresas con un acabado que parece cromo iridiscente, el cual le da un acabado muy premium. Y hablando de la funda, ésta trae adherida en la parte trasera una hoja con las especificaciones técnicas y de contenido de cada disco. Dicha hoja se puede retirar cuidadosamente para dejar al descubierto un huevo de xenomorfo que igualmente es icónico de la saga. Quizá el único punto negativo de todo el empaque sería que para sacar cada disco hay que ser muy cuidadoso para no maltratar el espacio que lo contiene. Sin embargo, lo realmente importante son los filmes. Las 4 películas vienen en un blu-ray cada una contando con dos versiones a elegir: la versión original que se proyectó en cines o la versión del director o una versión especial, según sea el caso. La calidad de la imagen es Full HD y cuentan tambien con salida de audio en 5.1. Incluso vienen dobladas al español latino por si prefieren verlas así en lugar de con el audio original, sin embargo algo que hay que tener en cuenta es que la versión extendida suele tener dos doblajes en la misma película, lo cual rompe la inmersión. Esto es debido a que utilizan el doblaje que se realizó originalmente y para las escenas que se agregaron posteriormente en la versión especial o del director, se usó un doblaje diferente. También es posible ver los filmes con los comentarios de los directores, productores, escritores y actores involucrados en cada película así como con dos opciones de banda sonora en caso de ser elegible. Además de los 4 discos de las películas, se incluyen 2 discos más con varias horas de material extra que son muy jugosos en cuanto a anécdotas y datos curiosos sobre cada filme, así como imágenes y documentales que muestra la evolución que ha tenido la franquicia. Sin lugar a dudas, esta es una edición que no debería de faltar en la colección de los fans del xenomorfo y que incluso puede llegar enamorar a quienes apenas comiencen a acercarse al universo de Alien.

I purchased the UK Edition of Alien Anthology as its Region Free, the packaging was great. UK Edition is a must have for any movie aficionado.

Just as he did with Blade Runner, director Ridley Scott is treating his fans to an incredible value blu ray release that, this time round, features all four alien films restored and in high definition (See video for more product information). Personal opinions on the four films... *Alien* Its a straightforward plot - a cargo ship, whilst cruising through space, intercepts a transmission from another planet that awakens the present crew members from their hypersleep. Is it a good idea to explore that planet even when you're returning home? With no knowledge as to who (or what) is sending the transmission, the crew descend and investigate, but they may be coming back with an uninvited guest... Without a doubt the most significant film of the quadrilogy for it, singlehandedly, spawned a whole new genre of filmmaking - even influencing 'spin-offs' through the 80's that largely failed. You may be pondering then; "Its rated 18, its got aliens... Typical horror film?" Far from typical, there exists a great difference between the original 'Alien' and other horror films. I would argue that, whereas the typical horror film explicitly uses violence as a means for entertainment or an expected motive of the story (as is so common these days), suspense is rarely created, and you just end up laughing at ridiculous deaths. The fact is, many filmmakers today are impatient and unwilling to create ambience because we are so bombarded with information in our eyes and ears. This film is my personal favorite of the quadrilogy as I believe it demonstrates a truly complete piece of work that need not suffer the complications of prequel and sequel continuity. We shouldn't forget that for 1979, the photography was absurdly ahead of its time and still amazes me even today. The film is a perfect lesson in how to build atmosphere through precise audio-visual relationships, and how a film may change pace so dramatically. *Aliens* No-doubt the fans favorite, 'Aliens' is a completely different project in that it is, first and foremost, an action film that is entirely relevant in 'seeing unfinished business'. The pacing is faster, edits are more rapid and in typical 80's fashion, its got some damn fine props. However, 'Aliens' is still a James Cameron film and that brings a number of questionable elements - in particular, Bill Paxton and his completely bizarre/over-the-top acting (intended or not) which does always leave me scratching my head. Whilst I love both 'Alien' and 'Aliens', the latter does deservedly bring a fantastic finale that could rightly end the film saga there and then. Maybe some will prefer it that way... *Alien 3* As if our protagonist Ripley hasn't gone through enough hell, she this time round finds herself in a prison inhabited by male convicts of... shall we say, questionable psychotic stability, after her space ship crash lands on another planet. My problem with Alien 3 is quite simple; it doesn't need to exist at all, for it merely forces a brand new and depressing storyline that, unlike 'Aliens', does not follow naturally from its predecessor. As a stand alone film it is actually well directed, yet I just can't hold myself to watch any more as it doesn't represent a good nights entertainment, which is what we all want surely. *Alien Resurrection* Yep... She's back once more, only this time involuntarily! Ripley is regenerated through 'science' (I say 'science' as, at the time of writing, we are only just cloning sheep with silly names) and the film unfolds into a rather mindless action film - all because a bunch of aliens escape from their enclosure onboard another large ship. This forth installment lacks originality, but unlike the previous film, is certainly watchable and provides some descent fun. Heck, even the aliens have even to learnt to swim this time round! Of course, the Alien saga represents many mixed opinions, so i'm more than open to a difference of thought and would love a discussion through the Tab below.