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The World of DVD: Comic Book

RETURN TO MENU         Ratings:  ***** Must add to collection **** Well worth it *** Pure Entertainment  **  Strictly for fans

Listed Alphabetically

COMIC BOOK ADVENTURE
BATMAN BEGINS (Two disc special edition) **** It explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. Features: The features are explored through an exclusive interactive comic book: 'Batman - The Journey begins looks at the concept, design and development of the film as well as casting; 'Shaping Mind and Body' looks at how Christian Bale was transformed into Batman; 'Batman - The Tumbler' looks at the reinvention of the Batmobile; 'Gotham City Rises' witnesses the creation of Gotham City, the Batcave and the Wayne Manor; 'Saving Gotham City' shows the developemnt of miniatures, CGI and effects. Go behind the scenes - read the production notes   Visit the website: www.batmanbegins.com

BLADE TRINITY
***  The third installment of Blade. Realising they may never be able to defeat the vampire hunter known as Blade the Dayhunter (Wesley Snipes), the vampires who control the infrastructures of human society set Blade up to appear like a psychopathic serial killer, with the FBI soon on his trail, thinking he is some sort of horrible monster. . Go behind the scenes

CONSTANTINE (2 disc edition)
***  Keanu Reeves plays a the comic book character John Constantine, who was born with a gift to recognize the half-breed angels and demons that walk the earth in human camouflage. Features: Commentary by Director Francis Lawrence, Producer Akiva Goldsman and screenwriters Kevin Brodbin and Frank Capello; 18 mins of deleted scenes; Conjuring Constantine: The Production from Hell Documentary; Imagining the Underworld documentary; the power of pre-visualisation. Go behind the scenes

DAREDEVIL - two disc special edition *** A must for all comic book/ action-adventure fans, with Ben Affleck as the blind street smart crime fighter. It includes over 4 hours of bonus material: 3 features including a making of; commentary by director Mark Steven Johnson; multi angle fight sequences; and 3 music videos. There's also  the Director's Cut, featuring an extended version with 30 additional minutes not shown on the big screen, a full-length audio commentary by writer/director Mark Steven Johnson and a making of featurette.Go behind the scenes

ELEKTRA
** She was shrouded in mystery. Tainted by tragedy. Trained to kill. And left for dead.. but for Elektra Natchios (Alias star Jennifer Garner), death was just the beginning. Now, she's back -- with a vengeance. Now, to save herself, Elektra needs something more than a reason to kill... she needs a reason to live. She finds it in the shape of her latest target: Go behind the scenes

THE FANTASTIC FOUR *** (Deluxe Edition, 2 Disc Set) The four superheroes turn tragedy into triumph and catastrophe into coalition, using their unique and formidable powers to thwart the evil plans of their now steely-eyed, iron-fisted nemesis Dr. Doom and to protect the citizens of New York City against any threat that may arise. The film is based on Marvel's longest running comic book series, which has well-earned its moniker as "The Greatest Comic in the World." Features: Commentaries, deleted scenes, features on 'Heroes Are Born', animatic comparisons. Go behind the scenes 

SUPERMAN: 13 Disc Collector's Edition
***** A must for any collector! Explore the world of Superman with 7 special edition films:  Superman The Movie; the expanded 2000 edition of Superman The Movie; Superman II; the Richard Donner Cut of Superman II; Superman III; Superman IV: The Quest for Peace; and Superman Returns. There is over 20 hours of bonus features: the two bonus discs include the documentaries 'You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman' and 'Look Up In The Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman'; George Reeves in Superman and the Mole Man; the complete Fleischer/Famous Studios 1940s Superman cartoons; audio commentaries; a rare TV pilot and archival footage.

SUPERMAN RETURNS
***** A sincere and nostalgic celebration of an iconic superhero that has gripped the imagination of the world for 68 years and enriched our fantasies. It does not matter whether you are a fan of the Man of Steel or not, with Superman Returns Kal-El is guaranteed to seduce you with his charm and convert you into one of his zillion fans. Superman Returns is by no means a sequel, or prequel or remake. One of the most positive and exiting aspects of the film is that it feels like a first-time experience, no matter how Superman savvy you are. Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.The bonus features on the two disc showcases 3 hours of exclusive in-depth documentaries, including 'Making Superman Returns: From Script to Screen', 'Designing Superman: From Art and Costume Design to Set Construction',  'The Joy of Lex: Behind the scenes with Kevin Spacey', 'How the filmmakers recreated Jor-El, Superman's father played by Marlon Brando', and over 10 additional scenes.  Go behind the scenes   Read the review

SPIDER-MAN 2
- double disc ****  Other than watching it over and over again, the bonus disc is crammed with special features as well as interactive web links. Go behind the scenes

X-MEN X-TREME - two disc edition *** Fans, film students and film buffs will delight in this edition: you can view the film in different modes - the original version, the film with audio commentary from director Bryan Singer, enhanced viewing mode which includes extended scenes with optional director's commentary, and enhanced viewing mode with extended scenes and 17 behind the scenes segments. Disc two can be viewed in two different modes including additional bonus features: 'Bringing the X-Men to life', Producing the X-Men: Becoming Part of the Crew', Special effects, and Reflections of the X-Men.

X-MEN ***** Witness the evolution of spectacular action in this dazzling 'feast of fantasy'. Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary and dangerous powers - the result of unique generic mutations. Cyclops unleashes bolts of energy from his eyes; Storm can manipulate the weather at will; Rogue absorbs the life force of anyone she touches; Wolverine shoots blades from his fists. Under the tutelage of Professor Xavier (Patrick Steward), these and other outcasts learn to harness their powers for the good of mankind. Now they must protect those who fear them as the nefarious Magneto (Ian McKellen) who believes humans and mutants can never co-exist, unveils his sinister plan for the future! Directed by Bryan Singer. Features: Deleted scenes, Interviews with Bryan Singer, making of featurettes and storyboard animatics. 

X-MEN 2   (Two Disc Special Edition)***** Hated and distrust brew between human and mutants. An unprovoked mutant attack on the President gives General William Stryker (Brian Cox) his long-awaited opportunity to wage all-out war against the mutants. A war that would leave only one race victorious. Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry) and the other X-Men must unite to prevent a devastating confrontation that could destroy everyone on the planet. Directed by Bryan Singer.  Features: Over 4 hours of bonus material, including audio commentary, the making of X2 and behind the scenes featurettes.  Go behind the scenes

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (2 disc edition) **** This final chapter of the blockbuster action-adventure trilogy is exciting and explosive entertainment for comic book enthusiasts. It reunites Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry) and all of the original X-men for a climactic showdown with the Brotherhood. It will be the final and determining stand between the followers of two powerful leaders with vastly different philosophies. In the world of X-men: The Last Stand, humans continue to live uneasily alongside two opposing factions of genetically enhanced "mutants", whom they both loathe and fear for their unique differences.  Features: The fantastic menu design is delightful. Bonus extras include audio commentary by director Brett Ratner and writers Simon Kinberg and Zak Penn; deleted scenes, alternate ending, Brett Ratner's production diary, a feature on X-Men: Evolution of a Trilogy. Go behind the scenes

XIII - The Conspiracy ***  A high-stakes cat-and-mouse thriller starring Stephen Dorff ("World Trade Center"), Val Kilmer ("The Doors"), Stephen McHattie ("Watchmen") and Jessalyn Gilsig (NBC's "Heroes"). The adrenaline-charged miniseries begins dramatically as the first female U.S. president is shot dead by a sniper during her Veteran's Day speech. Three months later, a wounded man is found tattered in a forest with no memory of his identity. The only clue is a tattoo on his neck - "XIII." Could his lightning-fast reflexes and killer instincts betray him as the presidential assassin that the U.S. is desperately searching for? Submerged in a far-reaching conspiracy, which threatens to overthrow the entire government, XIII's identity becomes the key to unraveling a complex and dangerous secret that will shock and excite. From the first bullet, this gripping action-thriller will leave audiences gasping for more. Ted Atherton ("Max Payne"), John Bourgeois ("Burn Up"), Greg Bryk ("ReGenesis"), Lucinda Davis ("Wargames: The Dead Code"), and Caterina Murino ("Casino Royale") also star."XIII", was shown on television as a mini series and is based on the comic book series of the same title.

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