DigiBook / The Complete Collection
Starz / Anchor Bay | 2000-2003 | 2 Movies | 369 min | Not rated | Region A (C untested) | Mar 20, 2012
With school children all over the country growing increasingly delinquent, the Japanese government takes decisive action and introduces the Battle Royale Act. The Act sets forth a plan whereby a class will be chosen at random and...
I own both the Limited Edition UK version and recently bought this US version.
Comparing the Director's Cut of the two versions, I do prefer the US version since the video does seem brighter, better natural colors, and little sharper.
Disappointingly, the extras are better in UK version.
Several of the extras in the UK version are in the blu-ray disc and are in 720P. However, all the extras in US version is on the DVD only. Also few of the extras on the UK version is MISSING from the US version.
"The Making of Battle Royale" - 720P in UK, standard definition in US. Also, the subtitle is different. UK version try to translate all of what is being said. But US version doesn't translate lot of what is being said, especially the behind the scene conversation between the actors.
There are other extras like trailers, Orchestra, Interview, Birthday version, and Film Festival that are 720P in UK while standard in US version.
And these extras are what is missing from the US version.
- Conducting Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
- Takeshi Kitano Interview
- Opening Day at Marunochi Toei Movie Theatre
- The Correct Way to Fight in Battle Royale
- Masamichi Amano Conducts Battle Royale
- Commercials
- Promo
- Kinji Fukasaku Trailer Reel (23 minutes)
These are little weird in that different version says it under different titles.
- "Battle Royale Documentary" in US version is called "Behind the Scenes" in UK edition
- "Basketball Scene Rehearsals" in US version is called "Shooting the Special Edition" in UK edition.
- "Behind the Scenes Featurette" in US version is called "Slaughter of 42 High School Students" in UK version.
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Also the physical extras in Limited Edition UK version that US doesn't have.
- 32 page Comic
- 36 page Booklet including Essays & Commentary
- 16 page Booklet including the Artwork & Concepts
- 5X7" Postcards
- Reversible Poster
- Certificate of Authenticity card with number and artwork.
So, if you only care about the movie, then US version is the way to go. But if you care about the extras and have few more money to spare, then track down or keep your UK Limited Edition set.
A thousand years after a global war, a seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of only a few areas still populated. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaa, the people of the Valley are engaged in a constant...
You should own every Miyazaki films!! That's all I'm going to say about content.
As for the video quality. If you want film-like picture with natural film grains, then you should be very happy with this transfer. There are dirt and scratches throughout the film, but it is very minimal and expected with the age of this film. Compared with the previous DVD release, the detail and sharpness is incredibly impressive. Just don't expect the clean cel-shaded picture of Disney films or recent digital animation. This is accurate to how it would have looked in the movie theatre.
As for extras, we get more than your average anime releases, but it is disappointing that Blu-ray doesn't contain all the extras and we have to put in the DVD to watch the rest of the extras.
Overall, very recommended Anime and blu-ray release.
FUNimation Entertainment | 2006 | 650 min | Rated TV-14 | Region A, B (locked) | Mar 30, 2010
Haruhi is a poor tomboyish student at a school for the ultra-wealthy, able to attend because of a scholarship, and unable to even afford a uniform. One day, she stumbles across the decidedly peculiar but very popular Ouran Host...
Likable characters with great story. Funny with bit of heart too. Must see if you are a fan of this kind of anime.
However, I also own the DVD and the upgrade is very minimal. Colors are more vibrant. But the jagged lines and aliasing is apparent. Not worth the upgrade if you already own the DVD. But if you don't have DVD, then definitely get this.
Pretty good selction of extras with commentaries on some episodes. Better than lot of other anime releases.
Definitely recommended!! (unless you already own the DVD - then get it when it gets cheaper)