From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Close Encounters of the Third Kind 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition

Close Encounters of the Third Kind 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

One of the most iconic sci fi films of all time, Spielberg's masterpiece about friendly aliens putting out the call to humans to come and play has been out on DVD before, but this new 30th Anniversary set (we got the regular DVD set.. It is also available in HD and Blu-Ray) is the best yet! All three versions of the film are included: the Original seen in theaters, the re-edited Special Edition from 1980 and the 1998 Collector's Edition, a director's cut. Wow!

The package: There is a really neat box with Devil's Tower and the mothership on the cover that is worth mentioning. The set includes a really good picture book with candid stills and recent and older quotes from Spielberg on the film and a fun fold-out "map" that compares what is in and out of each version of the movie. On the back of the map is a slick version of the original theatrical poster! Neat.

Video/Audio: After 30 years, it's amazing to see these three widescreen versions of the film looking so good! Still a softer look than really recent films but the colors are great. Very clear and clean, amazingly crisp for a transfer of an older film! Sound is great. There is a huge rumble in the bass when the mothership is rising over Devil's Tower.. awesome. Dialogue, ambient sounds and John Williams' uplifting score come through well-mixed and balanced.