Previously, the film was released in an incredible LaserDisc boxed set that included an excellent two-hour documentary on the making of this classic. While not completely as satisfying as that set, Universal has released E.T. in a three-disc collector's edition as well as a regular two-disc set.
Today, we'll be reviewing the three-disc "Collector's Boxed Set" of E.T.. However, if you're trying to decide which one to buy, our recommendation leans a bit towards the three-disc set.
If you can afford the steep $70 price, and can do without DTS on the 1982 version of the film, the three-disc set includes more (and better) extras than the two-disc version. In order to fit the 1982 cut on the two-disc set (which was a last-minute decision), the extras had to suffer a bit by cutting down the hour-long documentary to about twenty minutes. The three-disc set still has that full hour-long feature in addition to a couple other extras that are exclusive to the set.
Also, the boxed set includes an excellent hardcover book the 20th Anniversary re-release of the soundtrack, and a collectible senitype. And while it is a minor thing in some people's opinion, the disc art in the boxed set is better with the original poster image used on the disc that holds the 1982 cut.
In terms of video, the two sets are practically the same. The transfers on the 2002 and 1982 versions of the film are pretty much identical between the two sets. So, unless you absolutely must have DTS on the 1982 version of the film, there isn't too much of a reason to not pick up the boxed set; outside of the price issue.
The Movie
Steven Spielberg calls E.T. his most personal film, and there's a school of thought out there that it's his best film; even in light of Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan and I'm one to agree. E.T. is one of those films that simply defines the word "classic" when applied to a movie. It's a timeless, emotional, story about a boy who befriends a little lost alien. It captivated the theatergoers worldwide, and has a charm and a spark to it that will probably never be reproduced.
It's a very simple story about a young boy who finds and forms a bond with a lost alien, and Spielberg does an amazing job showing the story from a kid's point of view right up until a certain point in the film.
For the first two-thirds, you never see an adult's face; except for Elliot's mother. All adults are seen basically from the waist down, just as a kid normally would see them. It's not until Elliot's world is invaded and things start to turn a little dark that we see an adult as normal.
John William's score compliments the film, which is also one of the best and most memorable soundtracks that he's ever produced. His soaring theme is one of the most iconic movie themes in cinema history, and his quieter moments really hammer in the emotions in the last few minutes of the film.
For the 2002 reissue, a few effects sequences were changed via the addition of a CGI E.T. to add more animation that the old puppet didn't have, the line "terrorist" was changed to "hippie", and the guns were digitally removed and replaced with walkie-talkies. And you know what? I honestly don't have too much trouble watching the 20th Anniversary version.
The changes to the movie in no way alter the story or the emotional impact of when Elliot and E.T. say goodbye. This isn't like Greedo shooting first, these are some minor changes that Spielberg always said that he had issues with. Watch almost any interview with the director where he talks about the movie, and he'll say that he has always regretted putting guns into the film. Hell, he said that on the old LaserDisc boxed set. He always used to say that if he ever revisited E.T. that he'd remove the guns since he never felt right about them being in the film.
When the guns were finally removed, people damned him for doing something that he's been talking about for over fifteen years. This was something that bugged Spielberg for years, and it is his most "personal film". Who are we to tell him what he can and cannot do?
Even so, it is nice to have the original 1982 version on DVD, but I'll still be holding on to my LD boxed set for that great documentary and the fact that the film is so special.
9 out of 10
Continue to the next page for the rest of the review.
The Video
Both the 1982 and 2002 editions of E.T. look better than they ever have on this DVD release. Each one is presented at 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, and it's apparent that a lot of care went into ensuring that the films looked as good as they possibly could.
The 2002 edition does look the best of the two, in my opinion, and this is probably due to the complete digital restoration that the film went through for its 20th Anniversary release. Colors in this version are much more vibrant, and the overall picture is brighter. Obviously, due to the restoration, the print is as pristine as it can be with no blemishes or defects.
While not as eye-popping as the 2002 version, the 1982 original has never looked as good as it does on this DVD. Having spent the last few years viewing E.T. on LD, the transfer here was a nice surprise. I was almost expecting a repeat of the LD transfer, which while good, would have been a tad disappointing on this DVD. Instead we get a transfer with solid blacks, great detail, and no compression problems to speak of.
No matter what version you choose to watch, you'll be seeing a great looking version of E.T.
9 out of 10
The Audio
The two-disc edition of E.T. featured Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and DTS ES mixes for both the 2002 edition and the 1982 original versions of the film. And both soundtracks were excellent. Unfortunately, this three-disc set does not include DTS on the original theatrical release, only Dolby Digital.
In each track, E.T. sounds better than it ever has. John William's soaring score fills your room as if you were right there in a concert hall. Great little surround moments have been seamlessly integrated into the score, such as the moment late in the film where the bikes ride over the parked car. With the camera inside the vehicle, you hear some great bangs and clangs from your surrounds as the bikes ride over the roof and down onto the hood.
Both mixes are full and robust, but the DTS track features a sharpness and clarity that is just a few notches above the Dolby mix. Also included in this set is an alternate Dolby 5.1 track for the 2002 release that features John Williams conducting the score to the film live at its 20th Anniversary premiere.
8 out of 10
The Extras
While the two-disc release was cut a bit short in the extras department to make room for the original theatrical cut, this Collector's Boxed Set has a third disc dedicated entirely to the extras, which gives it quite a few things that the other set doesn't have.
Disc one is pretty identical to the one in the other release (except for the disc art). There's a short, two-minute, introduction by Spielberg where he talks about the 20th Anniversary, and for the kids there's an interactive map of the solar system where E.T. talks about the planets.
Disc two is a bit different as it only includes the original theatrical version of the film, in addition to the short featurette "A Look Back", which was also included on some of the earlier releases of E.T.. It runs for about thirty-five minutes and includes loads on on-the-set footage and interviews with those involved with the film that were shot at the time of the featurette's production.
Moving on to disc three, we find the wealth of extras beginning with the all-new fifty minute documentary "The Evolution and Creation of E.T." Produced more recently than the "A Look Back" featurette, it's an excellent "Making of" look at this classic. "The Reunion" sounds like the television special that aired back in March when the film was reissued, but rather it's a new featurette with the cast remembering the movie while at a photo shoot (most likely for that television special), and isn't quite as "fun" as that special was.
There's a ten-minute interview with John Williams about his music to the movie, as well as a video of the 2002 premiere that features John Williams conducting the score live, and ends with Spielberg doing a "live credits" sequence where he brings the cast and crew present at the premiere up on stage with him.
Following that are extensive still galleries featuring production artwork, photos, and marketing materials. In the galleries you'll find E.T. designs by Ed Verreaux (along with production designs by him) and Carlo Rambaldi, spaceship designs by Ralph McQuarrie, and more.
As you can see, the third disc offers up more extras than the two-disc release, but that's not all that $70 gets you. Perhaps one of the best features of the gift set is the 192-page hardcover book "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial - From Concept to Classic". In addition to being filled with rare behind-the-scenes photos, the book also includes the entire shooting script to the film complete with script notes. You also get a collectible senitype and a copy of the 20th Anniversary soundtrack CD, all packaged in a nice blue box.
9 out of 10
Comments
Ok, lets look at the two sets.
The "Limited Edition" two-disc set includes both versions of the film, but fewer extras.
This "Ultimate Gift Set" includes both versions of the film, more extras, an excellent hardcover book, the soundtrack, but no DTS on the original theatrical edition.
With the Dolby Digital 5.1 track on the original version being so good, DTS is a small sacrifice to make in the light of what you do get in the boxed set. It may cost a bit more, but if you want the complete E.T. package; this is it.
Overall Score: 9 out of 10
