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The Criterion Collection Gift Set 2004 (Amazon.com Exclusive) Posters
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Rating:  -
I own a number of Criterion lasers and unfortunately many of them didn't carry over into a dvd release (the unrated cut of "Menace II Society", "The Game" as examples). Also many are out of print due to licensing agreements. So...you might do well to acquire this massive collection as future editions in the next format wave (hd dvd) may not be available. I won't shed any tears however if "Armageddon" is deleted - WHAT was Criterion THINKING issuing THAT?!?
Rating:  -
I love The Criterion Collection. This series has consistently produced the finest DVDs I've seen, with the richest and most detailed bonus materials, geared towards film lovers and even filmmakers. Just compare the Criterion editions of RoboCop and Traffic with the current official editions to see the difference.
However, even an avid Criterion fan like myself would not advise getting this collection, unless you were attempting to build a comprehensive film collection on DVD. The quality of the product is not the issue. Rather, it's a question of: How many of us would buy nearly 250 films on DVD in one fell swoop?
Even more importantly, this collection does not include The Criterion Collection's out-of-print titles. If it did, even I might have been tempted just a little. Off the top of my head, you'll be missing Criterion editions of John Woo's Hard-Boiled and The Killer (the latter of which fetches nearly $300 on eBay), David Cronenberg's Dead Ringers, RoboCop, Flesh for Frankenstein, even Notorious. The fast expiry of some of its titles is a problem Criterion has always wrestled with, possibly because it's harder to get even a limited license to release films that have been picked up by major studios. So while it's not the company's fault, it still damages the collectibility and investment value of this $5,000 set substantially.
Finally, keep in mind that many Criterion films, especially films like Chasing Amy, Armageddon, The Rock, Seven Samurai and Walkabout, are very easy to find in second-hand bins. If you're interested in enough of these, you will end up paying less by buying them individually.
Once again, however, my rating is not a negative comment on the quality of these DVDs. If a title is available on Criterion, it's almost always going to be a superior release than any other edition available. And I'm personally thankful to the company that after years of my begging, it's finally getting ready to release Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha, my favourite Kurosawa film. This collection will be best for film scholars and historians who love every film ever made, or need access to thousands of films on DVD for teaching, study, and research purposes -- one of my old film-school professors would probably find this collection useful, for teaching his classes. The rest of us, however, may want to think twice about exactly how many DVDs we need to own before dropping $5,000 on the table.
Rating: -
There's no arguing that this is a great collection, but by the end of 2005 HD-DVD will be on the scene. I am an avid film buff and have many Criterion releases, but ultimately I want everything in HD format.
All the studios recognize this, and will ultimately re-package and re-sell every title in HD (I don't think the timing of George Lucas releasing the original Star Wars Trilogy on DVD now was an accident).
To drop 5K now seems a bit premature. Plus, many films in this collection are old film to tape transfers meant for laserdisc so were mastered to D2 (a composite format.)
Rating: -
I was about to order this set but then I found out it did not include robocop.. I was FURIOUS!!! screw that, what a rip off.
Rating:  -
I started buying Criterion Collection DVD's about 3½ years ago. If I had known that they would do this super special edition gift set at a reduced price, I'd have saved my money. I have written reviews for over half of the Criterion DVD's individualy and am writing new ones as I see the films.
This set is for serious Criterion collectors only. But is sure to become a collector's item.
Maybe I could sell my DVD's individually and then buy this.
The only drawback is that their out-of-print titles aren't in this. But of course, that was unavoidable and you can still get them from Amazon.com marketplace sellers, auctions, and if you're REALLY lucky, at garage sales. Beware of bootlegs though.
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