听 Great in the cinema, "Star Wars: Episode II" stuns on DVD. The presentation of this two-disc release are incredible, and bear the hallmark of the perfectionist standards of George Lucas.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Filmed digitally, the original digital source has been used for the transfer. The effect is electric, as a razor-sharp image burns with detail, showcasing the special effects to their limits.
Sound The Dolby 5.1 EX mix is perhaps the greatest yet available. It's as if your sofa has been hung in space while all hell breaks out around, above and below it. The depth of field to the track is incredible, with precision driven bass assaults punctuating extraordinary sweeps of sound that will soon have you wondering if you don't really have a star-fighter grinding its way through your living room. Get yourself a bib, for your jaw will be hanging open during this seven-channel madness.
DISC ONE SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary Comments from writer/director George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, editor/sound designer Ben Burtt, animation director Rob Coleman, and visual effects supervisors Pablo Helman, John Knoll, and Ben Snow have been mixed together for this commentary track.
Lucas takes some time to chat about the whole "Star Wars" saga and how the war of the Clones is referred to in "Episode IV". "It's the Clone war that is the centrepiece of the downfall of the Jedi order and the ultimate rise of the Empire" explains George. The film also represents the "result of that experiment of "The Phantom Menace", in establishing what he could potentially do with digital technology".
The other commentators stick to technical details of the movie, especially during scenes that feature the new digital Yoda. Interesting snippets include how plates from the previous movie were used to provide sets, by erasing the characters, and blue-screening the new actors in.
DISC TWO SPECIAL FEATURES
Documentaries:
From Puppets to Pixels At 52 minutes long, you can settle back and find out how Frank Oz's Yoda puppet has been transformed into a CGI character. The process is a lengthy one, punctuated by George viewing the latest footage. At these moments, the tension in the room is palpable. The movements of the puppet are studied closely as they work out where Frank's hand was, and how his movements were reflected in the puppet. These are then replicated in CGI and improvements authorised by George.
The fight between Yoda and Dooku is covered in detail, with George declaring that Yoda should in fact be a combination of Kermit the frog and Miss Piggy in his movements. As the fight is developed, George is always there, taking a look and rubber-stamping the details he likes. What this documentary does show is his meticulous attention to detail. Whatever criticisms you could level against him as a director or writer, he clearly strives for perfection.
The Previsualisation of "Episode II" This 23-minute documentary deals with how the latest film was planned through creating a digital preview. George had used cartoons and videos of models on sticks for the first three movies, but is now able to get a more accurate idea of how the film will work. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes footage and the psychology of how George pushes his team is also explored. The one question not answered is why so many of his staff feel compelled to sport beards.
Deleted Scenes Access our special guide to the deleted footage.
Featurettes There are three featurettes in this section averaging eight minutes in length each and entitled 'Story', 'Love', and 'Action'. The first two are criminally dull, as cast and crew talk about the plot and characters of the movie. Ignore them and take a look at 'Action'. There's behind-the-scenes footage of the action sequences, and some witty comments from the likes of Samuel L Jackson, who excitedly declares "people get jacked in this movie!"
Web Documentaries:
These 12 web documentaries have previously been available on the official website, but now you can see them on disc. The length of these ranges from four to six minutes.
Here We Go Again "As far as I'm concerned we should have been shooting digital 20 years ago", declares Lucas in this featurette that looks at the pros and cons of digital cameras. You can see George's earliest digital tests here from the Young Indiana Jones TV series.
Wedgie 'Em Out Find out the WWI inspiration for the Jedi Starfighter, and the problem of where to stick R2-D2.
We Didn't go to the Desert to get a Suntan Lucas returns to the original desert location used in the first film, and we see how the massive crew are ferried, fed and watered between England, Spain, and Italy.
Trying to do My Thing Hayden Christensen chats about how he's trying to put his own stamp on the Anakin Skywalker character.
A Twinkle Beyond Pluto What's it like to be an extra in "Star Wars"? Find out here as extras talk frankly about doing nothing at all, and we learn that no acting ability is needed. As long as you look strange, you're in!
It's all Magic No revelations here about Lucas using black magic to make his movies, but he does talk about how he's developed ILM, and how "Episode II" has at least 50% digital sets in it.
Revvin' it to the Next Level The complex sound mix of the film is broken down, including seeing the sound engineers going out to airfields to record old plane noises.
A Jigsaw Puzzle While the movie might rely heavily on digital effects, there's still a place for model work, as CGI can be more time-consuming. Some beautiful models are on show, plus details on the construction process.
Bucket Head Meet the Fett family!
Good to Go According to Lucas, "Episode II", is "the golden age of the Jedi", and in this featurette we get to see how they put those fights together.
P-19 The wardrobe of Padme (Natalie Portman) is explored in the type of detail that may prove strangely pleasing to male fans of her work.
Reel 6 That's the reel with the mad Geonosis arena battle sequence as 200 Jedi slug it out. Of course Lucas has cleverly cheated and turned 100 stunt guys into 200 on screen, filmed each one individually and then mixed and matched them all to get the best action shots possible.
Dex's Kitchen:
Films are not Released they Escape Twenty-six minutes might seem a bit long for an in-depth look at the sound design of "Episode II", but the surface is only scratched on the detail of a track that contains hundreds of layers. Lucas believes that sound is very important, and you can hear it just watching the movie on disc one. It doesn't sound like other films - it's like stepping into another dimension of detail and space.
Visual Effects Montage Various scenes are stripped down and built-up again in their component layers for you to marvel at.
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome The sheer amount of effort that goes into making a "Star Wars" movie is serious and occasionally on the DVD you feel that everyone could do with lightening up a bit. The release valve is to be found here in this 'extended trailer' for a supposed feature entitled "R2-D2: Beneath the Dome". See the little guy in his early days in the University theatrical production, his work on "The Godfather", the "Star Wars" films, and then the dark days of alcoholism and hanging out with dumpsters. Salvation came with "Episode I" and he's now back poolside with the babes as you'll see in this hilarious little film.
Stills Galleries Here you'll find three galleries: Production photos, one-sheet posters, and international poster campaign.
Trailer Gallery Three theatrical teasers, one trailer, and 12 TV spots are here for you to watch. The one disappointment with this section is that the trailers are only presented in 2.0. Also to be found is an "Across the Stars" music video.
DVD-ROM Content: If you have a DVD Rom drive in your computer and net access, you can explore exclusive content available to you on the web by using this disc.
Region: 2
Chapters: 50
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and Dolby 2.0 Surround
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, commentary subtitles, and English captions for the hearing impaired (main feature).
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
The "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" DVD is out to buy on Monday 11th November 2002.
