Holiday DVD Review Round-Up Part 1
It's that time again...time to consider DVDs for holiday giving or renting or buying for your own collection. In our multi-part review round-up, we will offer reviews of a couple of actual "holiday" films but most cover a wide range of subject matter. In this Part 1 we offer reviews of a teen-friendly duo that will make great holiday gifts.
From Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Two-Disc Special Edition
Okay, here's the haps: Nobody but Dumbledore and a few Order of the Phoenix wizards believe that the evil Voldemort is back. While the older wizards and witches get together at Sirius Black's house to plan combat, at Hogwarts, Harry and pals face a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Dolores Umbridge who, siding with the Ministry of Magic, won't teach them practical magic with which to defend themselves. With Hermione and Ron's help, Harry assembles some students, calls them "Dumbledore's Army" and they go after "The Prophecy", which Voldemort and pals need to get back in power. In the first real battle of the wizard wars, all comes to a head.
Video/Audio: Really great picture here. I decided to beef up the brightness during the big wand battle at the end because I wasn't seeing what was going on but then I didn't see it that well on the big screen either. Not the DVD's fault. You can see lots of detail, good natural color and a totally grain or noise-free picture. Great. Sound quality is as good as the Video. Lots of surround sound and bass. The ambient sounds (Like the grinding sound of the huge secret door) just really bring you into the movie. Very well done. Dialogue is also very clean.
Special Features: On Disc one you get the movie only. On Disc two you get the bonus stuff; actually not a whole lot. In a 20 minute featurette "Trailing Tonks," we follow actress Natalia Tena, who plays Tonks on a set visit. Very fun. A big extra is the over 40 minute featurette called "The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter". This is narrated by actor Jason Isaacs and we are shown various scenes from past "Potter" films that are supposed to give us clues into Harry's true destiny. I enjoyed it but didn't really know any more about his destiny after watching. Cast and filmmakers are involved as well.
In the interactive "Harry Potter: The Magic of Editing" you get a short intro to film editing and get to edit your own scene by choosing music, sound effects and which camera angles you want to use, then watch it. Really kinda fun. You also get a bonus digital copy of the movie (which needs Windows Media Player 10 or up). If you have the space on your computer, you can copy the whole movie onto your hard drive. This copy feature can be found in the "Languages" menu. I didn't do it but assume it works fine.
Wrapping Up: "Phoenix" wasn't the most satisfying of the "Harry" books and same with the film. It is really a coming of age tale focusing on Harry's emergence as a true leader and, as such, it's quite good at showcasing Daniel Radcliffe's acting talents. This is a "bridging" story so it isn't super emotionally satisfying but there are cool battles, etc. This DVD is excellent quality-wise even if we might have wanted more "extras". Of course, you'll have to add it to your "Potter" collection or buy it as a gift for that Potter-manic friend.
From Walt Disney Home Entertainment
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition
Hey, the Wildcats gang is on summer vacation but it's a working vacation as they all get various menial jobs at a posh resort in the Southwest. Of course there is a talent show and Sharpay really beefs up her campaign to steal Troy from Gabriella, get him to sing with her and win the show. Troy's head is turned by college offers from Sharpay's rich daddy and he almost blows it with his friends and Gabriella before coming to his senses.
Video/Audio: Just like HSM 1, this DVD is a clean and bright transfer with great colors in costumes and the pretty landscape. Flesh tones are accurate. The TV broadcast format looks fine on bigscreen HD TV. No problems. The sound of course is important in a musical and you can hear all the lyrics and dialogue just fine. Very balanced through the speakers and ready to dance and sing to, especially the karaoke track. Good work.
Special Features: This extended edition seems to add 10 minutes of footage with more scenes including Sharpay's Dad and that silly, cute Sharpay luau song called "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a" that was cut out of the broadcast version of the film. It's fun.
First feature: Let's start with "High School Karaoke." You can choose to pick sing-along subtitles on some or all of the 12 tunes in the film. These then hit your screen with no dialogue or singing. You provide the talent. Fun if you are into that. Or, you can "Sing Along with the Movie" and pick the songs with the dialogue and singing still there. These interactive features just add a lot to the enjoyment of the film.
You get the added Hawaiian song (with the long name) also as a "Deleted Scene" which is kinda strange since it is also in the movie on this DVD. Oh well. If you love it, you've got it ... twice. You get some Music Videos in a couple of different language versions for "You Are the Music in Me" and "Gotta Go My Own Way".
The Bloopers are pretty funny with several flubs by your faves. Very worth a chuckle.
I really was impressed by the "Rehearsal Cam" feature which gives you a load of behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage as the gang learns nine of the movie's songs. This feature is hosted by director/choreographer Kenny Ortega. If you like to see each song rehearsed and then how it came out and "improved" in the final film, you can pick the "Bounce to the Movie" option to see the same scene in the final film after watching the rehearsal version. Really cool.
Wrapping Up: This DVD may not have every feature you crave, like more interviews and candid stuff with Zac and Vanessa and the gang but there is enough entertainment here for the crazed fan and it's a nice intro to the characters for a "newbie". Of course, if you fit into the "crazed fan" category, you've gotta have this. Or, buy it as a holiday treat for your little sister who will then kiss your feet and do your chores forever...or at least until HSM 3 comes out!
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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.
