Close Encounters of the Third Kind

 


We are not alone

 

 

review by  Darth Buzz

Picture: 8

Sound: 8

Menus/Extras: 9

Overall: 8

Notes:  I have seen this film in as many incarnations as there have been, from theater, to pan and scan GoodTimes VHS video, to Criterion laser disk, and I think it's safe to say that this is easily the best I've seen the film both video and sound wise.  The video isn't perfect but it's damn close.  The only problem with it is that some of the night scenes could look better but this is more due to the state of the film than the transfer.  The sound is great with tremendous subwoofer action.  The DVD's director's cut is excellent.  It gets rid of that special edition version ending that I never really cared for and kind of re-tools some of the scenes that have seemed to slightly changed from version to version.  The extras are just icing on the cake.  They include a making of documentary, "watch the skies" featurette, deleted scenes, and trailers.


Darth Buzz

SCORE: 10

Yes!  This is one of my favorite films.  I remember as a kid being in awe of this film.  It has just the right pacing and keeps a good sense of mystery and wonder going through to the end, and with the original ending keeps the mystery.  I always thought it was better to leave the movie thinking, "What was it like for Roy on that ship."  Instead of seeing the inside and thinking, "ok... and then what."   To a large degree the FX still hold up over the test of time.  All the ship FX still look great.  This is some excellent X-Files action way before there was X-Files.  I can't get enough.