Reviews of The Adventures of Tintin (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $22.98
Sale Price: $15.93
Today's Bonus: 31% Off

A film by Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg, story by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish and starring Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig and Pegg & Frost. Sounds good, doesn't it? But 'ware! The subject is one of the most cherished icons of 20th century child's story-telling, held dear by pretty much anyone of a "certain age" and transferred from a distinctive style to modern CGI animation. The potential to fail is strong in this one...

Briefly, the story is a mash-up of three well known episodes in the Tintin canon, The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn, and Red Rackham's Treasure. Tintin (Bell) meets Captain Haddock (Serkis) and embark on an action packed search for the Captain's ancestor's treasure trove. They are joined by two of the more fondly remembered of Tintin's associates, Thompson and Thomson played by Pegg and Frost, (or is it Frost and Pegg?) and stalked by arch criminal Ivan Sakharine (Craig).

The film is produced using performance capture animation and it bridges the gap between a live action film and the straight "cartoon" of the Bernasconi animated series. Obviously Tintin purists will have their objections as the film does take *some* liberties with the "look", but to the ordinary audience member, the end product is both impressive and reverential to Herge. If there are any objections to the CGI animation (and there are a few minor ones) I think it's important to remember that the art and technology of CGI is still developing and it would be churlish to criticise too strongly. One criticism I have heard is that the emotional expression of the characters suffers in the CGI process. I'll have none of that! The characters' faces are expressive and readable and it is quite easy eventually to forget that they *are* CGI and my wife came out of the cinema remarking that the make-up was very good and she didn't recognise Andy Serkis at all!

Most importantly, the animation really does keep the faith with Herge's vision (Herge even appears in a small cameo in the opening sequence) in almost every way. The characters are depicted as 3D versions of his original ligne claire artwork (without the lignes) and it's a big relief that the story is set in the 1940's Tintin universe, "somewhere in Europe", plus-fours, bowler hats, rusty tramp-steamers, schmeisser machine guns and sea-planes galore. The film really retains the film noir "feel" of the original and that will be important to Tintin's fans. The "scenery" is, like Herge's comics, sumptuously populated and I was crying out for a remote control to pause and rewind the film so that I could revisit some of the little details that I half-missed the covers of magazines carelessly tossed onto desktops, the contents of the desk's partly opened drawers, little cameo sequences that take place at the edge of the screen while the main action is front and centre, the array of faces in The Milanese Nightingale's audience and so-on. The film has *huge* rewatch potential and I will be pre-ordering the DVD as soon as it becomes available for this reason alone!

The acting is brilliant and all the performers really bring their characters to life. Bell does a fine job and Serkis and Pegg and Frost convey their slapstick antics extremely well. It's good that the actors' performances don't overwhelm the characters' already well-developed personalities. While I've heard some criticism that Serkis overcooks his Haddock, I disagree the Captain is a larger-than-life personality and Serkis does a fine job with this wonderful character. I am aching, however, to meet Professor Calculus in a sequel (please let it be Destination Moon)!

Ol' Steve has been around a while, now and knows a thing or too about the action/adventure genre and he really lets rip with this one. Indiana Jones for kids? I'll say. The action is breath-taking and at nearly two hours in length it's a rollercoaster ride. The motorcycle chase scene, filmed in a single continuous take is the centrepiece of the film. Spielberg bundles you into the sidecar and takes you on a break-neck race, bouncing you off the walls, leaping chasms and leaving you, several minutes later, sitting in a small cloud of dust with steam coming off the seat of your pants and little cork-screws of sweat radiating off your head. The "Long Take" scene is becoming a bit of a cliche in modern cinematography and, I think, looks a little ostentatious in live action film, but in animation it works rather well and left me exhausted and deeply satisfied. And it doesn't let up in true Spielberg/Indy style, the film barely slows down for a minute. There's plenty of good, Herge slapstick, not too overdone and obeying the hallowed traditions of visual comedy, and genuine laugh out loud moments aplenty.

In the final analysis, The Adventures of Tintin is a top notch family film. It will, like any film of this sort, have its detractors; but what Jackson and Spielberg have achieved is a joyful, exuberant whoop of a film that will appeal to kids of all ages (i.e. anywhere between about 5 and 85) and will offend none but the hardest of Tintin die-hards.

Did we enjoy it? Ten thousand thudering typhoons! Of course we did!

Six stars

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

The Tintin graphic novels follow an unlikely protagonist: a mile mannered, sharp-witted young reporter. There are about two dozen of them, artfully drawn, with a recurring cast of colorful characters woven through various tales. The books have been translated in 50 languages. 200 million copies have been sold around the world, but, oddly, not many of these are in America. That makes Tintin something of a rare gem here, and he's part of my family culture. I worried that Speilberg would spoil the magic, ruin the brand. Somehow, he didn't. At all. The film is brilliant.

Not only did it capture the tone, pace, and geographic sweep of the novels, it also caught so many details -facial features of minor characters, body posture, personalities, villains, props, gags, cameo appearances, gestures, curses. It is all there. The motion capture style made it almost lifelike, but clearly not. Just like the novels.

It's as if the books had come alive. Another clever adventure with colorful characters in foreign lands half a century ago. Nice to see so many old friends, looking good after all these years.

Best Deals for The Adventures of Tintin (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital

The Adventures of Tintin is an enjoyable well done adaptation of the books by Herge. For somebody that knows nothing about Tintin, this is an Indiana Jones-esque story that is fun and action packed. For the Tintin aficionado, this is an amalgamation of three books with some parts that are needlessly extended.

March 13, 2012 Update: Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy arrived today. The Digital copy is two different things, a real live downloadable copy through iTunes and the horrible streaming Ultraviolet copy. The "deluxe" Blu-Ray version includes an access code for both types of on computer viewing. The Blu-Ray disc is very nice. I saw the original movie in 3D at the theater. I don't miss the 3D effect, and frankly the sound was better at home on my home theater system. This is a disc well worth buying.

The opening credits are almost worth the price of admission. The roughly 3 minutes of credits go through almost all the stories. The graphics are very similar to the books.

Tintin, a journalist, buys a model ship at a flea market. It turns out a lot of other people want that ship. There is a bit of mystery, a bit of action, and treasure hunt in the story. The movie is based mostly on the Unicorn series (The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure) and The Crab with the Golden Claws. I love the homage to Herge at the beginning of the film, he is the artist doing Tintin's portrait at the flea market.

My criticism of the film is the embellishment of a number of scenes. I think the original story left the right kind of gaps in the story to keep me thinking. The film tended to fill in those gaps and lead me too much down the primrose path; I didn't have to think very much with this film. The real pleasure of Tintin is that a person has to think about these stories. The other piece I didn't care for was bringing in Castefiore the opera singer. She really doesn't belong in this story, but Spielberg and Jackson seem to have felt she was a plausible addition.

This was filmed in motion capture animation. The film looked really good. That technique has a tendency to look almost too realistic and creepy, not in this film. There was just enough cartoon character to the film, that I never thought this was trying to imitate real life. I saw this in 3D, and can't say it was necessary I think the film will work just fine in 2D.

I really liked the cast. The voices were excellent choices; Jamie Bell is simply fantastic as Tintin. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, and Hot Fuzz (Widescreen Edition)) are so perfect as Thompson and Thompson.

I am a Tintin fan. We have the full DVD set of all the cartoons (these were only available in Canada for a long time and ran on Nickelodeon back in 1991). We also own many of the books. I even have some original antique paper comic books from the early days. I am not a true aficionado of the series, but have loved the original series in French and English.

The film is rated PG. Compared to television cartoons, just about any age child could watch this. There's animated violence. The story is a little bit complex, but most children will catch on easily.

Almost two years ago I heard that The Adventures of Tintin was in development. I hoped that it would eventually see the light of day in a theater. I am so happy this film was made. It is a wonderful film of my favorite comic book series. This is by far the best filming that has ever been done. The DVD cartoons are very literal translations of the books, with exactly the same graphics and almost the same dialog. The two French live action movies are both pretty campy and not exactly the best films in the world. They stick to the book story lines pretty literally. They are only available in French with no subtitles at all (Tintin: Le Mystere de la Toison D'or / Les Oranges Bleues (French Version)).

The Adventures of Tintin is a wonderful film. I enjoyed this film very much.

By the way, Marlinspike is a real chateau in France, it is Château de Cheverny. The chateau is larger than in the cartoon or books but it is the model Herge used to draw Marlinspike Hall. The grounds look exactly like the cartoon (it's pretty darn amazing to walk up to this Chateau and see exactly what Herge used as his model).

The original cartoons are available on DVD:

The DVD Box set:

The Adventures of Tintin, Vols. 1-5

The Adventures of Tintin, Vols. 6-10

The 2011 film:

The Adventures of Tintin

The new DVD releases:

The Adventures Of Tintin: Season One

The Adventures Of Tintin: Season Two

The Unicorn 2 part cartoon is also available on Amazon Instant Video:

The Secret Of The Unicorn, Part 1

The Secret Of The Unicorn, Part 2

Red Rackham's Treasure and The Crab With The Golden Claws are available on Amazon Instant Video. I've included links to those two books in the comments section below.

Honest reviews on The Adventures of Tintin (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital

I've read the Tintin comic books (have all the hardcover sets they sell here on Amazon), and have seen the Nelvana cartoon series (which is pretty much completely lifted from the comic books). Love them all! So many times I have been disappointed when Hollywood takes something I love, adapts it to the big screen, and completely ruins it so that any resemblance between the movie and the original is pure coincidence. With Spielberg and Jackson at the helm, I expected a high quality production, but what about the actual story?

This movie takes elements from three Tintin books "The Crab with the Golden Claws", "The Secret of the Unicorn", and "Red Rackham's Treasure". Most of "The Crab..." that's in the movie is about how Tintin and Captain Haddock met. In "Unicorn", the flea market scenes actually took place AFTER Tintin and Haddock met, as Tintin had bought the model ship as a gift for his friend. But in the movie, he bought the ship before he met Haddock.

But unless you are that much of a stickler for details, this shouldn't matter. With the exception of these few details, the story was very true to the books and the Nelvana animated series. What was even better was how the characters were written; I am sure Herge would have approved, as they were just as he intended them to be. All the personality quirks of Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock, Thomson & Thompson, etc all there as we remember them. I thought they did a great job with the casting, as well.

I was afraid they'd ruin this movie by doing something dumb like bringing on a love interest for Tintin (something that never happened in the books, but Hollywood often can't leave stuff alone). This is an adventure story, not a romance, and it was wise of Spielberg/Jackson to treat it as such.

The ending of the movie left me begging for a sequel. I hope they do make one, and it's to the same standards as this one. This Tintin fan loved it!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Adventures of Tintin (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital

I was amazed by the animation. However, early on, I found some of the characters and/or their actions annoying. Astoundingly, the action sequences are boring -not exciting -with too much happening for no particular point. I never felt involved in the story or really cared. Tintin has promise as a character as well as Snowy, the dog. I ran the second half of the movie at 1.5x speed and felt even at that that the movie was too long for what it contained. A thin -though visually stunning -gruel, indeed. There's a kernel of a movie in there somewhere. Too bad two of the most famous directors in the world couldn't find it.

Cheap Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: Search for Pillow (2012)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $16.98
Sale Price: $8.41
Today's Bonus: 50% Off

The Lalaloopsy dolls are huge right now, and they have finally made the transition from toy to the little screen. It was rather successful, if you are looking for a cute, completely inoffensive movie that anyone can watch. The main seven original Lalaloopsy dolls are the focus of the movie, along with Rosy Bumps and Bruises and four of the Lalaloopsy littles the sister dolls and all of their respective pets. It's the little sisters that make the show so cute and adorable, as they toddle around, saying things in a childish, simple manner that's quite endearing and very much like little bitty sisters do. The older Loopsies are very sweet and understanding. They have all personalities but are definitely nice girls, every single one of them, and they play off well with each other. This is a refreshing change from having a few "nasty" characters in the mix, like with other series. In Lalaloopsy Land, everyone is considerate, caring and nice.

The plot is all about Peanut Big Top's surprise she is going to show everyone at dark. The girls can't wait and are passing the time until then when they notice that Pillow Featherbed went off to find a ball they were playing with and didn't come back. They organize a search for her and get caught up in some sew sweet antics and a little storm along the way. Don't worry, nothing harrowing has happened to Pillow, she's simply napping again, as she seems a touch narcoleptic. The simple story is wrapped up nice with a happy ending and a great big bow. Some of the cinematography was quite impressive as well, with some unusual camera angles and transitions, as the camera follows the animals around. This made a nice touch. It's also done in flash-like animation style, which is a relief after the deluge of poorly done CGI movies. This one doesn't look like it was done in someone's basement on 1990s computers (like the Bratz series, which has horrible animation), it has a paper doll kind of style that really suits the characters, and everything is bright and smooth, and in widescreen to boot!

Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: The Search for Pillow is good spirited fun. Older girls will like it because it is about their favorite characters, and the littlest ones can watch it with their sisters because there really is nothing objectionable at all about this movie. Nothing. It is pure sew sweetness from start to finish. Which is really nice, as there are not a lot of movies that can appeal to a wide range of youngsters out there these days. A very relaxing movie, and quite enjoyable. It's one long "D'aaaaaaaaaaaw".

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

My two year old LOVES this movie. It is adorable and not nearly as annoying as some of the other shows aimed for little girls. We love it! Great purchase:)

Best Deals for Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: Search for Pillow (2012)

My daughters got an opportunity to catch a sneak peek on Nick Jr., and they loved, loved this movie. Unfortunately, I didn't think to record the movie on our DVR, so I bought it. If you have girls that adore Lalaloopsies, then they will adore this movie. My girls grabbed their Lalaloopsy dolls, and acted along with the movie, so that their dollies were also in on the adventure. In a way, the movie helped foster their imaginations as they play with their dolls. Even after the movie ended, my daughters continued Pillow's adventure..lol.

Honest reviews on Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: Search for Pillow (2012)

Great movie...my six-year grandaughter loved it. She has several of the dolls, and she enjoyed seeing them "live" on the screen. Recommended for all grandads babysitting.....

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: Search for Pillow (2012)

I love that the Lalaloopsy movie has good morals of friends helping each other with no bad attitudes for kids to copy. It's adorable and entertaining for young kids.

Buy The GiggleBellies Musical Adventures

Customer Ratings:

Gigglebellies is very enjoyable for young children. Our son is one year old and asks us to play the Gigglebellies DVD everyday. The videos are very colorful and energetic. Some of the songs are fun versions of familiar children's songs like Old McDonald and The Wheels on the Bus, others are original works. I highly recommend this for anyone with young children. It makes a great gift.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Our 15-month-old baby girl couldn't get enough of the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star preview video on VidzForKids (vidzforkids.com), so we decided to buy this DVD and had it shipped all the way to Europe, where we live. We were not disappointed. The characters are not easy recognisable for the youngest kids, but our daughter absolutely loves this DVD. Before she goes to sleep, we play the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Clip and it makes her sleepy and fall asleep faster. We were also pleasantly surprised that this DVD plays very well on our region 2 (Europe) DVD-player.

Best Deals for The GiggleBellies Musical Adventures

This DVD is the best purchase I have made for my baby girl. She is 11mts and loves this DVD. If she is having a bad day, I just pop in the DVD and she is all good.

Honest reviews on The GiggleBellies Musical Adventures

This is such an adorable dvd for kids, I wish they had more than 1, I have never seen anything so cute.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The GiggleBellies Musical Adventures

I can't recommend this DVD highly enough.

My Granddaughter loves it.

It captured her attention from about 5 months of age when we found it on youtube.

The bright colours of the characters are wonderful (can't wait for the soft toys!)

and catchy tunes have us humming the music all day.

Even my teenage sons know all the words and bond with their niece

watching it together.

Thanks Kerry & Pauline, we are anxiously awaiting your second one.

The GiggleBellies Musical Adventures

LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers (2010) Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $9.99
Sale Price: $6.49
Today's Bonus: 35% Off

I have two boys 4 and 6 who are, of course, HUGE Lego fanatics. We have had this for 2 days and have already watched it 4 times. My only problem with the movie is that it uses words that I dont really like for my boys to use (idiot, stupid, fool) and I just don't think it's necessary to include these words in kids movies. There was also some mild "romantic humor" which I could have done without, but really not a big deal.

However, either way, I think it's great to have a full length Lego movie and the whole family enjoyed it. The animation is wonderful, there are alot of silly and cute jokes that made us all laugh, and they did a great job at weaving together all the different Lego products/lines into one cohesive story. It has also given my kids alot of new ideas for how to act out stories with their Legos!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

We had a ball with this movie. We've watched it twice with our grandchildren and enjoyed it more the second time around when we could appreciate the work that went into making this fabulous DVD. This movie works for any agevery young children, older children, or slightly, okay, okay, maybe only somewhat, older grandparents!

Best Deals for LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers (2010)

Older brickheads and young Lego enthusiasts alike will have a blast with this highly enjoyable LEGO adventure on DVD. My son had a grand time spotting his toys amongst the action of the overall superb animation (especially the backgrounds). The story is fun and jumps around the LEGO universe in a ridiculous fashion, the humour is overall perfect for the age group this is aimed at and fun for those still young at heart. The feature presentation is well worth the admission price but for another awesome experience check out the 6 min stop motion Space Police mini movies in the extras it is really cool and fun to watch the actual toys come to life in a way that my son and I have attempted on our own with the PS3s eye movie software. The kiddies are gonna hit the repeat button on this one, a must buy for the brick clicker in your house.

Honest reviews on LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers (2010)

Our hero Clutch Powers has his hands full keeping his minions (including some zany ones) together in this epic battle of the good guys versus the bad guys. The story line is well-crafted and interlaced with really neat kid-like humor, fun interplay between the characters, many heart-stopping challenges confronted and overcome, and exciting, fast-paced action. Kids will love it.LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers (2010)

The trailer pretty much shows what you will see in the movie. It's got a sense of humor that will make adults laugh as well as the under 10 year old set. It spoofs well known movies and uses worn out cliches to comic effect. The visual and sound quality are very well done for a straight to DVD type movie.

Overall, this movie is very entertaining. I didn't roll my eyes or groan much, if at all. Two thumbs up

Discount A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures 3D (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Customer Ratings:

This movie doesn't get enough credit. So glad we gave it a chance. It's right there with disney/pixar or dream works. The graphics are beautiful and the music is wonderful as well. My 3 year old loves it. The cover of this movie just doesn't do it justice. I wish they'd make more animal movies like this and stay away from those weird animated movies.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

This is my 4 year old granddaughters favorite movie, and I confess I love watching it as well. The artwork is lovely and soothing, the characters are endearing. The soundtrack is delightful. Teaches compassion and friendship, and yes, to a previous reviewers dismay, actual environmental issues. It does so in a basic way that even a child can understand, such as warning sea creatures to "don't eat the plastic" or seeing the effects of dumping garbage in the ocean (hardly controversial!) Great movie for entire family.

Best Deals for A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures 3D (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

The story follows an actual sea turtle's life. Of course there are liberties taken, such as the turtle's best friend and love interest. But overall the story is based on true life events of a tracked sea turtle. There are some big names in this movie including: Melanie Griffith, Kathy Griffin, and Tim Curry. (I heart Tim Curry, by the way.) Our main character, Sammy, goes through a lot in the fifty years from when he was born, including dealing with both man made and natural obstaclesbut through it all he keeps his head up and his thoughts on his lady turtle friend from birth, Shelly. There are strong tones of environmentalism in this film, so be ready for some questions in regard to this.

Honest reviews on A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures 3D (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

What a great way to share Earth Day 2012 with your children. Travel with Sammy the cutest sea hatchling who along the way teaches children about the life of a sea turtle. As Sammy struggles to survive in the vast ocean he finds a friend and they head off on a mission. As they swim thought the beautiful ocean they come across environmental pollution, natural predators and Sammy learns the true meaning of love and friendship.

Featuring voices by such stars as Tim Curry, Melanie Griffith, Kathy Griffin, Stacy Keaton, Anthony Anderson and Jenny McCarthy, A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventure is the story of a turtle hatchling born on a California Beach in 1959. Over the next 50 years this cute little turtle has numerous adventures that take him around the world. Along the way he is befriended by hippies and encounters natural predators, pollution and Japanese whalers.

I like how the environmental scenarios in this film were kept light and are not overbearing for young children. Teaching very young children about the importance of protecting our oceans without scaring them. This along with the film being a short 88 minutes makes it an ideal film for very young children who have a short attention span. Yet the film is fun to watch and I recommend it for all ages. I found myself rooting for Sammy to catch up with and find his life-mate. The music was fun and had us all singing along with The Mamas & The Papas to California Dreaming and other songs.

Our family loved this film and my 10 year old raved about it, which left me surprised. As a family we gave this movie 4 stars. I would of liked to have given it 5 stars, but as a family we thought the graphics could have used some improvement.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures 3D (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

This was a pleasant surprise, as I had not heard much about it, and my three kids ages 5 7 1/2 really liked it. It centers on a young turtle's adventures in the ocean, from the moment he emerges from his egg tiny and scared, to his return to the same beach many years later as an adult. He finds and loses (and finds again) love, friendship, and adventure. There are some environmental messages thrown in, when he encounters damaging pollution, but it never gets too preachy, and he encounters helpful, caring humans too. The animation and writing are cute, although not on the same level as the megahits Pixar and Dreamworks put out. It's also safe for young kids nothing overly scary or inappropriate, although it doesn't skew too young my almost 8-year old going on 15 liked it too.

Discount Adventures of Marco Polo (1938)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $14.95
Sale Price: $13.28
Today's Bonus: 11% Off

You simply can't take "The Adventures of Marco Polo" seriously...but as a light-hearted, glossy, tongue-in-cheek adventure, the film is great fun, from the same year as Warner's "The Adventures of Robin Hood".

With producer Samuel Goldwyn's biggest box office star, Gary Cooper, in the lead, as a drawling, skirt-chasing Polo, the film opens with an opulent, Hollywood version of 13th century Venice, then quickly moves to the steppes of central Asia, and finally the equally opulent court of Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan (George Barbier), where Cooper and his groaning comic relief (Ernest Truex) encounter Khan's exotic, if not particularly Oriental-looking, daughter (Sigrid Gurie...who learns how to kiss from the obliging Polo), and Khan's ruthless adviser, Ahmed (another terrific villainous portrayal by Basil Rathbone), who has designs on both China and Gurie.

Screenwriter Robert Sherwood tosses in a bit of history (the Chinese inventions of spaghetti and gunpowder, introduced to Polo by H.B. Warner, channeling his "Lost Horizon" persona), but clearly treats the storyline as farce, adding a feared (but henpecked) tribal chief (a heavily made-up Alan Hale), and his jealous wife (Binnie Barnes, who also falls under Polo's spell). Also, watch for 17-year-old Lana Turner in a small but showy role as a most desirable Chinese handmaiden (this is the infamous film where Goldwyn's makeup department burned off her eyebrows, permanently).

Directed by veteran director Archie Mayo (who lacked Michael Curtiz' flair for epic period adventure), the action scenes are a bit flat, and Cooper's climactic fight with Rathbone is somewhat disappointing (truthfully, he seems out-of-place confronting a swashbuckling villain). Certainly, 1938 audiences weren't 'buying' Cooper as an Italian adventurer (it WAS a stretch!), and the film flopped, but if you're in the mood for pure escapism, from Hollywood's 'Golden' age, "The Adventures of Marco Polo" is certainly worth a look!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

The problem with Marco Polo is that it couldn't make up its mind whether it was a comedy or swashbuckler. Although I like him, Gary Cooper is miscast in this role (Ronald Colman or Robert Donat would have been better) and the screenplay needed to be more sober. George Barbier's Kubla Khan (sp?) is better suited to a Paramount farce with W.C. Fields. Ernest Truex, with that whiny voice, is almost unbearable. Who comes out on top as usual?....Basil Rathbone. He is the only reason I would watch this film.

Best Deals for Adventures of Marco Polo (1938)

It is obvious from the photo that this particular movie does not feature Gary Cooper as Marco Polo. It is a more recently produced movie about Marco Polo, and the most famous actor is Jack Palance who plays Beezlebub, a self-proclaimed nastiest ruler of Armenia. This movie also does not take place on the water, rather Mr. Polo and company travel overland, seeking the way to China. Great costuming and excellent lighting for the beautiful terrain. If you're looking for an afternoon's or evening's entertainment, this is the one. No guarantees of historical correctness.

Honest reviews on Adventures of Marco Polo (1938)

Just checked this out on Prime and I truly was surprised. A mild action/adventure/comedy that can be enjoyed by the whole family. A light hearted swashbuckler that tells a story of how Marco Polo went in search of his father and ended up rescuing a princess. It's a reminder of the old Sinbad films but without the lavish fx. It's unfortunate that Oliver Reed's role is rather short but Jack Palance is unforgettable as Beezlebub. The true stand out in this picture is Cas Anvar. Yup, Altair ibn La-Ahad from Assassins Creed Revelations. He plays the comic relief and true saviour of the film, Youssef. Be the judge for yourself and check this fun film out!

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Adventures of Marco Polo (1938)

Ok, I know that there is a lot about this film that is silly, but I can't help it..... I loved this when I saw it as a kid, and I loved it just as much seeing it again 45 years later.

Maybe it's because I'm one of those folks who is completely willing to suspend belief and let the film makers take me into their world, but I thoroughly enjoy adventures like this one.

The transfer was good, the film making was technically satisfying, and the story.... well..... what could be more fun than traveling through strange foreign lands with your ever faithful servant by your side, partaking of the wonders along the way and battling the likes of the absolutely evil Basil Rathbone.

Ok, I'll admit that when I saw Alan Hale as the leader of the rebel tribe I had to laugh..... and yes, we was totally unbelievable, but hey, an actor has got to work, and he was in just about every other picture made during this time period so what the heck : )

As long as you don't take it to seriously, it's a fun Saturday afternoon adventure filled romp.

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012) Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $16.98
Today's Bonus: 15% Off

This 3D double bill unpretentiously features some of the best 3D imagery ever, including some great "pop-out" effects. The Spy Kids romp might be more appealing to adults because its cast includes Sly Stallone, Salma Hayak, Antonio Banderes, and Ricardo Montalban.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

nice movie for kids,3d graphics are really great,and price also great,my kids love to see again and again,i also ejoy

Best Deals for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012)

This is definitely a Comic Book / Video Game type films. There are some fun sequences that are aimed at kids. Adults should find the visual effects interesting. Each is more of an amusement ride than a normal movie. These films are more like watching someone play video games.

Honest reviews on Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012)

Used to have the 2d versions of these that my neice and nephew used love to watch when they came over and since the price was right @ $14.99 for both movies in 3d I couldn't pass them up (buy mostly 3d movies nowadays). They may not be Oscar material but they are fun and even more so in 3d.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over / Adventures of Sharkboy (2012)

always trying to find something for my grandkids (ages 6-12) and the birthday girl (6) thought I was the best nonna in the world! and the other kids don't mind the shows on tv

Buy The Adventures of SharkBoy and LavaGirl in 3-D

Customer Ratings:

I'm surprised at all the adults bashing this movie because THEY didn't like it! What I loved about this movie is that it does seem to cater entirely to childrens fantasies. I've seen many children watch it (because during my sons' obsession with it he had to show it to everyone!)and they were all mesmerized by it. I've even enjoyed it. The 3-D version is pointless though because unless you tweak your tv just right it is poor quality. Don't bother with that, just watch the 2-D version that is on the same disk. It's still great in 2-D. Little girls like this movie too, but a must have if you have little boys!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

SUPER SUPER movie. My nieces love it! YES! YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION OF TURNING OFF 3-D effects!

Best Deals for The Adventures of SharkBoy and LavaGirl in 3-D

Wow, many reviewers have really bashed this film. We just bought the DVD for our daughter, and she absolutely loved it. After having watched the special features section detailing how the Rodriguez family devised the story, my daughter is writing and illustrating multitudes of original, imaginary scenes of her own. As an adult, I actually enjoyed the movie very much. Sure, it's a step away from reality, but it has revitalized imagination and creativity in our household. Dreaming is a very bizarre and peculiar phenomenon, so I think the pure imagination depicted in the film is justified.

I haven't seen a movie so imaginative and entrancing since the first time I saw Gene Wilder as Willie Wonka on HBO as a seven-year-old boy.

It's corny and cheesy, but give it a chance and try not to be negatively biased by scathing critiques. Watch it with your kids. They'll enjoy your company. You might like it!

Honest reviews on The Adventures of SharkBoy and LavaGirl in 3-D

This story is great for children under 10 years old, but for teens and adults, the 3-D is the fun part of this movie, and it's quite fun.

I own the other versions of this movie, too. But, I like this one the best, because the 3-D is sharp and colors are stunning.

Honestly, this is one of those few times when a movie is much better looking on DVD than it was in the theaters.

This movie played in theaters in Anaglyph format (red/cyan 3-D glasses), which distorted the colors and lessened the 3-D effect. I'd give it a bad review in the theaters. The other DVD release of this movie was also Red/Cyan 3-D. But, this particular DVD release is HQFS (High Quality Field Sequential), a MUCH better 3-D format .

You need a 3-D viewing system (like ASIN: B00005QW5S ) to watch it. (LCS shutter glasses, not red/blue glasses.)

One last important note: The description says this DVD is in Full Screen (not Wide Screen). Truth is that it actually is some form of wide screen. It is not as cropped as a real Full Screen disc. If played in full screen mode, characters are slightly thinner than usual. When I put my system in Wide Screen mode, this DVD it looks more correct. There is one viewing wide screen resize mode of my system in which it looks perfect. Normally, I wouldn't buy a DVD unless it is labelled Wide Screen, but this DVD is an exception.

Certainly, if you love 3-D and haven't seen this movie in the theaters, then I'd recommend this DVD. I saw this movie in the theaters (and didn't like it). But, I am much more fond of it on this DVD. I'd give it a 3 for story. but a 4 for 3-D.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Adventures of SharkBoy and LavaGirl in 3-D

This is a great kid's movie! It has a lot of action and it takes place on "Planet Drool" that has everything kids love! The best part is that its story tells kids that it is OK to dream and if you work hard enough you can make your dreams a reality!

What a great kid's message! A movie for the whole family to enjoy together!

Cheap Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures (2009)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $14.98
Sale Price: $6.16
Today's Bonus: 59% Off

I think you just can't go wrong with Thomas & Friends. The programs always contain positive messages, they are wholesome in nature and yet still exciting enough for children to enjoy. There are always great lessons in that the characters make the same types of mistakes that everyone is prone to make. We see the consequences from being in a hurry or just plain fooling around, becoming jealous of others or lying to cover up mistakes.

These episodes feature the new CG animation, which means better facial expressions for the trains and townspeople. As always, the same great life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation are most certainly included.

In Thomas and the Billboard, Thomas becomes upset when he is inadvertently excluded from a photo taken of all the trains. Although it was a genuine mistake by the photographer, Thomas heatedly blames another train, which causes a whole new set of problems.

Steady Eddie refers to Edward, one of the older and most reliable trains. Because of his reputation, Steady Eddie is given the special job of delivering valuable cargo. He feels proud of his status and takes an alternate route where more people can admire him, instead of taking the directed path and gets himself into hot water.

Rosie's Carnival Special: Rosie is specially requested by Sir Topham Hatt to be one of two trains to transport the Carnival Special. Rosie is greedy and wants to do it alone, which causes an accident. She realizes that working together as a team can be very rewarding.

These are three of the six episodes on the disc. Also included are Mountain Marvel, Henry Gets it Wrong and Don't Go Back. Each one has its own valuable lesson which kids will benefit from, and plenty of action in the train yard they will enjoy.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

This DVD is a new series where Thomas and every characters are animated. It's pretty neat to see them animated and move more than just their eyes and their mouth expressions. PBS started playing these episodes and I'm glad they are finally out on DVD for when we travel. My 4 year old LOVES Thomas and I have to admit I was pretty excited when these episodes came out on tv too.

Best Deals for Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures (2009)

I bought this movie for my 3 year old son. At first he was not happy about "talking thomas" and wanted to watch an old Thomas movie. The next day he asked to watch "talking thomas" and enjoys watching it every time now.

I am also a preschool teacher, and for a special treat on Fridays we watch a movie. I brought in this movie to watch, every single boy I have LOVED it and always ask me if we can watch "Talking Thomas" for movie day.

Honest reviews on Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures (2009)

Normally I *HATE* CGI but the Thomas animators have done a reasonably good job with the technique. Eyes aren't deadened (they move around and blink), faces don't look overly plastic, and nobody wobbles around like a car dash head bobber (as they do on the CGI-"enhanced" Bob the Builder). The animators have been wisely conservative in keeping the look & feel similar to the older episodes, and minimizing the flashy stuff. Even with the famously grey faces and wooden dialogue, I didn't find the new characterizations any creepier/more uncanny valley than the old ones. Which is creepier, an anthropomorphic engine that moves its mouth when it speaks, or one that keeps the same frozen expression while you're looking at it but MOVES as soon as you look away? (::shudder::) All in all, a good job.

On the other hand, I find the story-telling to be less well-executed. Most stories are trite, repetitive, and predictable (even for Thomas!). Realistic railway details are de-emphasized while engines & their personalities are overly emphasized. I could do with a bit more respect for the Rev. Audry's original vision, and stories that made more sense (are there no tarps on Sodor???? every load is left uncovered and ready for disaster!).

Incidentally, my son wasn't afraid of the moving faces -in fact he LOVED them. Possibly because he's 3 years old, and developmentally normal? I feel for the parents whose kids didn't like the change, but it looks like they are in the minority. Given that there are more Thomas episodes than there are days in the year -25+ years' worth of material, most of it with old skool modeling -I think the minority can cope. (Not to mention there are tons of Railway Series books to read, and YouTube for DIYers with Tomy models and video cameras!)

Fixing what isn't broken? Well, I'm not sure about that. Besides the points I already made, look at this from a business perspective. Having some insider knowledge of this industry, using actual models is far more expensive than CGI, and even for a franchise as obviously popular as Thomas, the model-making must have been a drain on resources. HIT Entertainment can now make more episodes more quickly for us insatiable Thomas fans, and employ more people to boot.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures (2009)

Another wonderful Thomas DVD in new CGI animation format. It is wonderful to see Thomas talking and more expressive. My 2 1/2 yo son and I love to sit together and watch each story. I love when Rosie announces in one story "I'm driving the Carnival Special!" It also has a bonus Rory the Racing Car story and this one gets my son laughing up a storm with the helicopter lesson.

Review of Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $19.98
Sale Price: $0.97
Today's Bonus: 95% Off

The pinnacle of Errol Flynn's string of swashbuckling adventures...The most expensive film Warners had ever made (until 1938), and in glorious Technicolor, to boot...The film with the most cherished of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's many film scores...The film that literally set the standard for every 'Robin Hood' and 'Knighthood' movie since...One of the greatest films, not only of the 1930s, but of all time...THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD is, in EVERY sense of the word, a CLASSIC, and the new DVD edition is LONG overdue!

The story of Sherwood Forest's favorite bandit had been a movie staple since silent films (Douglas Fairbanks' acrobatic 1922 version was regarded as one of his finest roles), and the WB, riding high on a string of hits by Fairbanks' younger and sexier successor, Errol Flynn, knew they had all the elements in place to create a grand entertainment that no other studio could match!

Originally intended for James Cagney, the property had languished for three years, until Errol Flynn exploded onto the scene, and the studio knew they had the actor 'born' to play the role. Not wishing to run into legal problems with United Artists, who'd produced the 1922 film, an original script, incorporating elements of "Ivanhoe", ancient legends, medieval ballads, a popular 19th century stage production, and a bit of Howard Pyle, was written by Norman Reilly Raine and Seton I. Miller (with some uncredited assistance by Rowland Leigh). Casting nearly all of their "British Colony" in speaking roles, the studio brought back Alan Hale to reprise his 1922 role of Little John (an excellent choice, as Flynn and Hale had terrific rapport), casted rotund comic actor Eugene Pallette (Guy Kibbee was the first choice) as a gravelly-voiced Friar Tuck, and Flynn's LIGHT BRIGADE costar, Patric Knowles, as Will Scarlett (David Niven was unavailable). As the villains, Claude Rains played the fey Prince John, and Basil Rathbone (whose duel with Flynn in CAPTAIN BLOOD was a film highlight) was perfection as the villainous Sir Guy of Gisbourne, Maid Marion's Norman suitor, and Robin's arch-nemesis. In the role of Marion, could anyone OTHER than Olivia de Havilland have been cast? Flynn and de Havilland had already done two films together (and would do four more, after ROBIN HOOD), and their chemistry was so perfect that 1930s screen magazines were always hinting of a romance between the two (there wasn't, despite overtures by Flynn; they remained simply friends, with Olivia and Errol constantly playing pranks on each other).

Not that the production was problem-free; the original director, William Keighley, was axed after the location shooting was completed, as the studio didn't like his approach to the script and actors; Michael Curtiz, who had 'made' a star of Flynn, in CAPTAIN BLOOD, was quickly brought in, adding his sense of drama, lighting (the

'light-and-shadow' climactic duel between Robin and Sir Guy was a Curtiz 'trademark'), and style. Both Curtiz and Keighley would share the 'Director' credit when the film was released.

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD was Warners' biggest box office hit of 1938, became a multiple Academy Award winner (with the most statuettes of any film that year), and it's luster has only increased through the years, being named as one of the AFI's 100 Greatest Films of All Time. This is a classic that TRULY lives up to the term, and is an absolute MUST for your DVD collection!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

There are a small number of films in the history of Hollywood that can actually be considered perfect. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" with the incomparable Errol Flynn is one of them. With over a hundred reviews already, there is little for anyone to add. I will, however, provide a brief summary as to why this film is indeed perfect, a term I use very rarely.

The cast--the greatest of all swashbucklers at the peak of his charm and athleticism, Errol Flynn-Olivia De Havilland, a lovely woman, a fine actress and an ideal partner for our hero--Basil Rathbone, oozing evil from every pore--Claude Rains, conniving and sinister as always--Eugene Palette, a jovial yet formidable Friar Tuck--Alan Hale as rough and ready Little John--and on and on--even the most minor character is just right.

The sets and costumes--absolutely gorgeous--the archery contest is just one of many scenes where technicolour shows its stuff !

The Directors--Messrs. Keighley and Curtiz could not have brought this legend to life more expertly.

The Music--unforgettable Korngold score.

Add all these ingredients and you have true cinema magic !

Warner Bros--the DVD is marvellous, and the extras on the second disc ( detailed in other reviews ) provide more treats for the lucky viewer. What a beautiful job !

So--if you have that dreary Kevin Costner/Robin Hood DVD, throw it on the trash heap, and revel in the real thing ! A triumph !

Best Deals for Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Although James Cagney was the original choice, Flynn proved to be the definitive Robin Hood. It is possible but unlikely that a better portrayal of the 12th century folk hero will ever be filmed. The screenplay is based on the works of Sir Walter Scott. The cast is superb. The direction crisp and sure, once Warner Brothers replaced William Keighley with Michael Curtiz. In the latest DVD version, both image and sound are restored to their original clarity. Apparently no expense was spared to give this film production values of the highest possible quality. Although renowned for his indelible portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone could just as easily play the villain which he does in this film as Sir Guy of Gisbourne. His climatic sword fight with Flynn allows both to match wits as well as blades as they make their way throughout the castle. This exciting sequence offers probably the best example of the talents of cinematographers Sol Polito and Tony Gaudio. Special credit should also be given to Erich Wolfgang Korngold's rousing musical score. He also composed the scores for two other films directed by Curtiz and starring Flynn, Captain Blood (1935) and The Sea Hawk (1940).

Given the rapid development of various digital technologies, we now tend to take special effects in films for granted. Almost anything seems possible. Not so 65 years ago when The Adventures of Robin Hood was filmed. Curtiz and his crew had to solve all manner of problems to recreate not only Sherwood Forest but an entire medieval society. What they achieved is stunning. Indeed, forests have played an important role throughout centuries of British literature, from Beowulf to Harry Potter. Being a child when I saw this film for the first time, I was enchanted by the idea of escaping into lush green woods where I could pretty much live the way I wanted to with my friends. Not have a care in the world. I envied Robin Hood and his companions. Many decades later, lush green forests still have for me a special appeal which I really can't adequately explain. Perhaps it all began with this film.

I am eager to observe the reactions of my grandchildren to the Two-Disc Special Edition. Of course, they will have little (if any) interest in the truly special features which include a commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer, Warner Night at the Movies (1938) introduced by Leonard Maltin, a new documentary, Welcome to Sherwood (2003), outtakes and the studio's annual year-end blooper reel, a "Robin Hood Through the Ages" featurette, "A Journey to Sherwood Forest" travelog, another documentary Glorious Technicolor (1998), two shorts: "Cavalcade of Archery" (1946) and "The Cruise of the Zaca" (1952), "galleries" which display historical art, costume design, concept drawings, cast/crew photos, and publicity, and the audio only of "The Robin Hood Radio Show" and Korngold piano session.

However, I expect them to enjoy this film almost as much as their grandfather once did...and still does.

Honest reviews on Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Yes this movie looks wonderful in High Definition. Every detail comes through on the transfer, which is better than even the two disc high resolution remastered special edition. On top of that, some of the extras are in HD. The Looney Tunes in HD look AWESOME. If you can, make this movie one of your first HD purchases. Every classic motion picture should look this good in your home.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

I am a big believer that the additional resolution Blu-Ray provides can be wasted on older films where the picture quality wasn't there to begin with. That's NOT the case here. I've owned The Adventures of Robin Hood on LaserDisc and on standard DVD. The picture quality here is an obvious cut above, due no doubt to the obvious quality of othe original Technicolor print.

The supplemental features that are included on this disc, however, are what sets it apart. This should be the standard for Blu-Ray presentations. There are hours of additional material here, all of it interesting, all of it vital. I was reluctant at first to buy The Adventures of Robin Hood after seeing it so many times in the theater and on television and already having a standard version in my collection.

After having seen it now on Blu-Ray, I can say without hesitation that I was wrong. This is THE classic title to own and the format to own it in.

The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse (2013) Reviews

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $13.74
Today's Bonus: 45% Off

Highly recommended to any person interested in a kick ass animated film. The violence is not that intense as an R rating is led to believe. Great story and visuals. Cool score and wicked end credit song. Based on an awesome graphic novel The Living Corpse by Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson. I have three kids that were able to enjoy the movie (4-7) and they were not bothered by it one bit. It's animated and resembles a video game in some instances. This is why I'm puzzled by an R rating. Still highly recommended if you want an enjoyable movie. It comes with a digital copy of the newest Living Corpse book as well. What a value!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Being a huge fan of horror films, I never thought an animated horror film would bring such suspense and thrill. I definitely recommend this one for any horror movie fans out there!

Best Deals for The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse (2013)

Taylor's family is killed by zombies. His dad is a zombie who develops a conscience and rescues his son from those other zombies. Dad goes to the underworld while Taylor is sent off to a special school where he is bullied. The film consists mostly of zombie dad rescuing his son and fighting all kinds of monsters.

The film is entirely in comic book style animation and looks like it would make for a decent video game, except where does one go when one dies in hell? Detroit?

I got very bored after 30 minutes. While rated "R" for violence, the film's real appeal is with those too young to see it.

Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity.

Honest reviews on The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse (2013)

I watched this on a recommendation from a friend and wasn't disappointed. Granted it's not the best Zombie flick I've ever seen but I really liked that it was a new take on the genre. I'm glad somebody actually made a zombie the hero for once. It is animated which might put some people off but I think it gave the makers a little more creative license. I gave it 4 stars for the effort.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse (2013)

I really like the Amazing Adventures of The Living Corpse, while not big budget Pixar movie, I found it fun, campy and cool. I later learned it was based on a little known comic book character of the same name. I recommend this film for

comic book and zombie fans. The comic book creators are very artistic, check out their Facebook artwork as well. It's amazing too. The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse [Blu-ray] www.facebook.com/LivingCorpseMovie

Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures (Raiders of the Lost Ark Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $76.99
Sale Price: $43.67
Today's Bonus: 43% Off

Swinging onto Blu-Ray at last, INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES is undoubtedly going to rank as one of the fall's must-have format releases. Paramount's five-disc set includes the HD debuts of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" on Blu-Ray with a fourth disc of extras and a fifth ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull") that some fans likely feel is best left as a beverage coaster. It's a great package that starts with new AVC encoded 1080p transfers and remixed DTS MA soundtracks of each film -and by this point, is there any reason to re-analyze Steven Spielberg and George Lucas' legendary Saturday Matinee adventures? Each entry in the original Indy trilogy is immeasurably entertaining on its own respective merits, though fans can still quibble about which one is best.

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK thankfully still retains its original on-screen title (despite its packaging as "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark"), and remains a classic of the action-adventure genre. With a smart Lawrence Kasdan script (from a George Lucas-Philip Kaufman story), classic stunts and Spielberg working at the peak of his talent, "Raiders" is pure and unadulterated fun, with Ford introducing us to the centerpiece role of his career and Karen Allen easily providing the best female love interest of the series.

Paramount's AVC encoded transfer of "Raiders" is much more "contrasty" than I've seen the movie before and not quite as green and "lush", especially in the early jungle sequences -but it's also clear this new HD scan is light years ahead of any prior video release in terms of detail. I can't recall how the film originally appeared in theaters so it's entirely possible the color scheme is also more faithful to cinematographer Douglas Slocombe's theatrical version than the prior DVD releases certainly it's an excellent transfer overall, with fine detail visible throughout. The DTS MA soundtrack is forceful and superbly engineered, offering a broad stage for John Williams' legendary score and crisp sound effects. Three original trailers are the disc's sole extras a short teaser (selling the film on the merits of Spielberg's past blockbusters), full theatrical trailer, and a 1983 re-release trailer (from the "Superman" trailer voice-over guy) are each presented in AVC encoded 1080p.

The first sequel (technically a prequel, even though it's a standalone adventure), INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM was controversial in its day (along with another Spielberg production, "Gremlins," it helped create the PG-13 rating, which was initiated before the summer of '84 was out), and even now it's a nasty, violent ride compared to the other Indy adventures. The script by Lucas pals Willard Huyuck and Gloria Katz ("American Graffiti") is silly and more excessive than either "Raiders" or "The Last Crusade," and Kate Capshaw's whiny Willie Scott is a comedown from Karen Allen's Marion -so much so that it's tough for "Temple of Doom" not to be compared unfavorably with its predecessor. Still, the movie's final third is a blast, and John Williams' majestic, triumphant score may be his most inspired of the series: his themes for the Indy-Willie romance, Short Round's Theme, the mine cart ride, and the regal music that accompanies our heroes through the jungles of India are simply spectacular, and when combined with the original "Raiders March," create a phenomenal underscore that effortlessly carries the audience past the sequel's lesser aspects.

Opening with the glorious musical staging of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" (a lavish set-piece many critics rightfully noted was one of the highlights of the entire picture), "Temple of Doom" is the most colorful of the entire series in terms of its appearance, and the Blu-Ray's impressive HD transfer looks so natural that viewers can more easily spot discrepancies in the original cinematography (particularly during the climactic rope bridge sequence) they may not have noticed before. The soundtrack is again impressive, and both the original teaser and what appears to be an early (and underwhelming) theatrical trailer (running just a minute and with a 1983 copyright) included for extras.

The problems with the second film were rectified with the 1989 blockbuster INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, which on a surface level sounds like a "Raiders" rehash but adds a warm, richer emotional component through Sean Connery's magnetic performance as Indy's father, Dr. Henry Jones. Connery is magnificent and his interplay with Harrison Ford is amusing and poignant, giving the movie an added human dimension absent from the amusement-park action of "Temple of Doom" and matching the level of character development found in "Raiders." John Rhys-Davies and Denholm Elliott return from the original, and the movie entertainingly reprises the quest-styled plot of "Raiders" as Indy tries to track down his father, who was lost while searching for the Holy Grail. While "The Last Crusade" may lack the freshness of the original, it's right up there in terms of my personal fondness for the material Connery and Ford are so good together that the film's strengths are only magnified on repeat viewing, and the lengthy opening sequence with River Phoenix as a younger Indy is a sheer delight, with a buoyant John Williams score to match.

Paramount's 1080p transfer is in line with the "Raiders" and "Temple of Doom" discs displaying crisp detail and a thankful lack of DNR while the DTS MA soundtrack is again effectively engineered. Both the film's original 1988 teaser (showing the crew at work on the sequel) and full theatrical trailer are included as well.

Shortly after INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL was released, I received an email from a reader saying that I was unfairly harsh on the belated and thoroughly unnecessary fourth installment in the series. Frankly, after reading my original review over again, I actually don't think I was hard enough on it!

Ranking as one of the most disposable films in director Spielberg's canon, this lightly entertaining but forgettable fantasy is compromised by a leaden David Koepp script nearly completely devoid of interesting characters, wit or innovation. While Harrison Ford still fits comfortably into his iconic role with Indy coerced into helping a group of nefarious Russians search for an ancient relic that possesses a supernatural power the film rolls snake eyes in terms of Cate Blanchett's villainess (one of many thankless roles), Indy's relationship with a young greaser (the continually charisma-challenged Shia LaBeouf) who needs his help finding a lost archeologist (John Hurt, playing what was likely Sean Connery's role) and his kidnapped mom -who turns out to be none other than Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen, wasted in a few minutes of screen time) herself.

The film overdoses on plot exposition (the mid-section of the picture is crushingly dull, bogged down in endless babble about the skull and its power) and fails to give its terrific cast much to do. Ford is as amiable as ever but even he seems a little ill at ease with some of the leaden dialogue, which doesn't exactly crackle the way Lawrence Kasdan, Jeffrey Boam or even Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz's work did in this film's far superior predecessors.

Recalling the sluggish pacing of "The Lost World" (I cringe even writing that statement), little in Spielberg's direction clicks either: would-be comedic moments fall flat, while action scenes tend to exhibit a "been there, done that" feel at every turn. The infusion of CGI heavily used in the movie, as it turns out -is also in stark contrast to the prior films in the series (as is Janusz Kaminski's overly stylized cinematography, which does no favors for the picture either. It's amazing how claustrophobic and unappealing this movie looks, the bulk of it all too obviously having been shot on soundstages). Finally, the picture also greatly misses Sean Connery's warmth and humor as Indy's dad -so much that it's unsurprising the few times "Indy IV" manages to strike an emotional chord is in its pair of direct references to Indy's late father (Connery was contacted to appear in the film but ultimately passed on it -a wise maneuver in hindsight, particularly considering how well the third movie turned out). In the end, "Crystal Skull" commits the worst sin of all: it's completely forgettable. Five minutes after the film was over I struggled to recall the specifics of the plot or individual sequences in it, feeling as if the series truly finished with the ride off into the sunset at the end of "The Last Crusade." Everything about this entry, ultimately, screams too little, too late.

Paramount's HD presentation of the fourth film is on par with their prior Blu-Ray, boasting a clear 1080p AVC encoded transfer and DTS MA soundtrack. Three trailers (marked trailers 2-4) in HD round out the disc.

Trailers aside, all the supplements are included in the fifth Bonus Features disc, which one imagines will remain exclusive to the box-set, offering a satisfying mix of previously-released content and one significant new addition. Here's a breakdown:

On Set With Raiders of the Lost Ark: The set's big new extra is this hour-long compilation of behind-the-scenes footage from the production of "Raiders." Taken mostly from 16mm handheld camera sources with some never-before-seen outtakes from the picture mixed with candid interviews from the cast and crew and even a few deleted scenes fans should love this piece, which gives viewers a real, honest sense of the day-to-day shoot, both on-location and at Pinewood Studios in the UK. (HD)

Making The Films: The original 1981 "Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark" from Howard Kazanjian and Phillip Schuman (57 mins.) is presented here along with Laurent Bouzereau's retrospective documentaries for "Raiders," "Temple of Doom" and "Last Crusade" from the 2003 DVD box-set, each offering a 40-50 minute segment devoted to each picture (all of these segments are in standard-def). The 28-minute "Crystal Skull" Making Of, meanwhile, is presented in HD (a much longer version of this Making Of was included in the original, two-disc Blu-Ray/DVD release of the film).

Behind the Scenes: A number of featurettes from the 2003 DVD Indy box-set include a John Williams interview in "The Music of Indiana Jones," plus "The Stunts of Indiana Jones," "The Sound of Indiana Jones," and "The Light and Magic of Indiana Jones." Brought over from the 2008 DVD release are "Raiders: The Melting Face!", "Indiana Jones and the Creepy Crawlies," "Travel With Indiana Jones: Locations," "Indy's Women: The American Film Institute Tribute," and "Indy's Friends and Enemies." Reprieved from the original "Crystal Skull" release are "Iconic Props," "The Effects of Indy" and "Adventures in Post-Production." Note that these "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" featurettes are presented in standard-def (the original Blu-Ray of the film offered these same segments in HD) while several other "Crystal Skull" featurettes from the prior release aren't included here at all.

Completists who enjoy "Crystal Skull" may want to hold onto the original BD release of the film for its more extensive supplements otherwise, this set contains basically all of the extras from the prior Indy DVD releases, sans storyboard galleries.

Ultimately, Paramount has delivered a great-looking, and sonically superior, Blu-Ray set that pays tribute to the work of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Douglas Slocombe, John Williams and all the other master craftspeople involved in the production of the Indiana Jones series. Highly recommended, just as one would hope!

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

I am an Indiana Jones fan through and through. I have been since I saw "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as a child in 1981. The Blu-ray release of such a monumental piece of film history merits taking the day off work and viewing all the entries of the series. Yes, that DOES include "The Temple of Doom" and "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

"Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures" is what every fan of the archaeologist adventurer has been waiting for since the inception of Blu-ray. It features every film in beautiful high-definition with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" getting the special restoration treatment. The film looks beautiful both at home and on the big-screen. I took my boys to see it in the theater. The film brought tears to my eyes as I thought about the first time I saw it so many years ago and what it meant to me. This was a life-changing event for me much like seeing Star Wars was a few years earlier.

I want to stop and focus on "Raiders" for a moment since it's the one that got the most attention. It doesn't lose any of its classic grainy film look. It's just cleaned up and more vibrant. The latest restoration of "Jaws" for Blu-ray somehow looks better, but maybe that's because it needed more work to begin with.

Strangely, they didn't tidy up any of the visual effects the way George Lucas is known to do with his space saga. The movie is still effective exactly how it is. However, it would be interesting to see the effects-heavy ending with some of that ILM wizardry put to work on it.

"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" is just as much fun as it always has been. This is probably the second least favorite film in the franchise behind "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" for most fanatics. It's still a thrilling rollercoaster ride with some great humor thrown in.

"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" to this day wraps up the first three films in the "original" trilogy perfectly. It brings back Sallah and Brody and takes us back into the desert to battle Nazis. It also introduces us to Indy's father, who couldn't be anyone else BUT James Bond. Sean Connery delivers a humorous and heartfelt performance as the father of the most famous archaeologist adventurer. Harrison Ford and Connery trade quips and bicker amongst each other in such a convincing manner, you'd think they were really related to each other. It also brings the subject of the quest full circle back to a Christian artifact. Many viewers would agree they were the most successful entries in the series.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is definitely the most hated of the series. I get in an argument at least once a week with some crazed Indy fan who whines about how this movie single-handedly destroyed their enjoyment of the entire franchise or wishes it was never made. Some people are so ungrateful. Steven Spielberg delivered a fun adventure that looks and feels very much like it belongs right next to the rest of the films.

The complainers about Indy surviving an atomic explosion after being catapulted through the air to land safely in the desert have selective memory loss. Apparently they don't remember other fantastical moments in the series like the Ark of the Covenant melting people and disintegrating a troop of Nazi officers. How about jumping out of a plane in a raft and landing safely in a river? When was the last time you walked across a canyon on an invisible bridge? Also, the search for three magic rocks is waaaaay off base when compared to ancient alien astronauts. It's unbelievable here, but we sure can accept if for Prometheus.

Bonus features for the set include "Making of" documentaries for every film and several "Behind the Scenes" featurettes. There are teaser and theatrical trailers for each film on each disc as well. There's enough bonus material to merit a fifth disc. Strangely, many of the extras for "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" are not found here. Completists might throw a bit of a fit over that. I say just keep your original copy of the movie on Blu-ray if you really want it.

The "Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures" Blu-ray set will look immaculate sitting next to your "Star Wars" Blu-ray set. The packaging is the same material and style. They look like they belong together with their matching Lucasfilm logos on the spines. It's strange how movies that continue to make an immeasurable impact on people can fit into such a small space on a shelf. They also remind me of how much thanks I owe to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg for a memorable childhood. Any fanboy or girl who grew up with these films and says differently is lying to themselves.

Best Deals for Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures (Raiders of the Lost Ark

Okay, I believe we all know who Indiana Jones, is, right? I grew up with Indy and my kids will be the same. This new box-set is the definitive Indy box-set. This set features the original classic trilogy plus the newest addition, "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". Just like the set that came out in May for the 4th movie, this set comes with the new special editions of the original 3 movies. The best part about this set is that the 4th movie is the 2-Disc special edition and not the lame 1-disc version. My only complaints with this set are 1) that the DVD cases are those really lame slim cases and not regular sized DVD cases and 2) the bonus disc from the original trilogy boxset is missing (although the special features makeup for that is most respects) and 3) while the cover is cool, the order of each movie cover is weird; you start from the top right and work your way around. All in all, this is the best Indy box-set out there and it's worth getting. Here's my ratings for each movie:

Raiders of the Lost Ark: 5/5

The Temple of Doom: 4/5

The Last Crusade: 5/5

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: 3.5/5

Honest reviews on Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures (Raiders of the Lost Ark

Yes, it's finally out!! Been waiting so long! But... Not sure if everyone else is oblivious to the risk of this collection but read on...

What is seriously going on with the execs who make the decisions for these long awaited collections? Is it a conspiracy for companies to give us bad packaging in hopes we ruin the product in hopes we buy it again after we ruin them over a long period? I'm not a movie troller who hates movies and Indiana Jones is one of the greatest franchises ever, I'm just fed up with these horrible packaging ideas. Basically the Indiana Jones Adventures is in identical packaging to the Clint Eastwood collection which was one of the worst packaging ideas ever. Here's the main issue, these treasured movies are stuffed in between two pieces of hard abrasive cardboard. In order to pull a movie out, you have to grab both sides of the disc right near the edge, immediately putting finger prints on the information side of the disc. Not to mention pulling it out on the bare cardboard as it's packed in so tight. Do this over a period of time, you're asking for trouble. Even trouble, i noticed a tiny 2cm scratch on Raiders the FIRST time I pulled it out from rubbing against the cardboard. Mind you, these blu ray discs can withstand scratches, but how much and for how long do you want to chance it? It's packed in so tight, it's just bound to happen when one day you're gonna freeze up thanks to a nice scratch from your case. IF you buy this collection which I still say you should, just take them out safely as you can and store them in a regular DVD Case. A major pain and yes, the case is basically worthless and nice to look at, but don't risk it if you want to savior this collection that is wonderful if you can salvage it before ruining it. Some people have said squeeze the cardboard to loosen and wait for it to fall out, I did try this on Raiders and temple and the disc did not move

If you want to know about the movies, on how they look, I actually think the older movies look even better than Skulls. Obviously the first 3 classics got the most love. Skulls is inferior, so we know why though. The extras are great, a nice documentary of watching Raiders with lots of deleted scenes and lost footage is an amazing find. Bonus materials are amazing! Just be really careful taking these movies out of the cases. Feel free to use Crystal Skulls as a coffee cup holder. ;)

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures (Raiders of the Lost Ark

Anyone who knows Indiana Jones already knows the plots of these films, so I won't pontificate on those details, and will get right to the transfers:

The Picture (Raiders):

The picture is very sharp, and the dark scenes show exceptionally deep shadow areas and rich colors, especially in the Ravenwood bar, which looks absolutely gorgeous, even more real than I remember it looking in cinemas, but I'm saddened to see that the highlights in the bright outdoor daylight scenes are largely blown out, white, gone.

This is either a problem with the transfer, or the source, the original film negative. If the latter, it's so sad to see a great film like Raiders fade over time. If the former, we'll have to wait for yet another transfer. If I remember correctly, Lowry Digital Studios did the restorations for DVD back in 2003. I'm guessing the 2012 archivists, at Lowry or another facility, didn't use that old Lowry transfer for blu-ray because it was a much lower res scan than the 4k scan done here.

The transfer of Raiders also carries with it what another reviewer described as an "orange teel"; that is, everything is colored in a kind of golden amber warmth. This is great in the Raven bar and in the Idol's temple when Indy is bathed in the shaft of light emanating from the golden Idol itself, but, in other scenes, like the thunderstorm in the desert at night when the Arabs are uncovering the Well of Souls, the scene should be more blue, and is instead, in the amber tint of this transfer, kind of a neutral gray.

Compared to Temple, Crusade and even Crystal Skull, which look perfect, sadly, I have to give the visual transfer of Raiders only a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The transfer and restoration artists ALMOST got this transfer right, but, sadly, they blew it on maintaining the color and contrast. If director Steven Spielberg himself approved this transfer, he either didn't view it on a correctly calibrated monitor, or he's going senile.

Considering that Raiders of the Lost Ark is my favorite, and, arguably, the best movie in the whole Indiana Jones series, this transfer is a bit disheartening and disappointing, to say the least. To some of you who weren't born yet in 1981 when Raiders was originally released in cinemas, so you never got to see it on the big screen, and thus you have no reference for what Raiders is supposed to look like, you'll enjoy it just fine.

If you already own the DVD of Raiders, hold onto it, as it is, minus the standard-definition limitations of DVD, closer to Raiders' original, true cinematic vision.

The Sound (Raiders):

Some sound-FX and dialogue are crystal clear, with some new effects added, like dripping water in the South American temple and some new "pfew!" sound-FX of the poison darts spitting at Indy when he removes the Idol from its pedestal and flees as all hell breaks loose (YES! Thanks, Ben Burtt!), others less than stellar, a bit muted, and, like the Jaws transfer for blu-ray, sound mixers added that extra reverb to John Williams' classic score...broadened the spaciousness and cavernousness of the music, but the music now lacks the definition and clarity of the highs found on previous releases. Sounds like the London Symphony Orchestra is performing at a ball game. Enveloping, and yet lacking definition. Disappointing. I have to give the sound of Raiders a 4 out of 5 stars.

Now, onto Temple and Crusade...

The picture:

I'm only guessing here, and could be wrong, but it looks like these ARE the earlier, and excellent 2003 Lowry digital transfers done for the DVDs, now shown in their native high-res format, instead of being down-rezzed by the picture-quality limitations of DVD. They look great! The color red is more prevalent on the blu-rays of Temple and Crusade than on their corresponding DVDs, which is especially useful, and wonderful, inside the Temple of Doom, with all the red presumably coming from fiery volcanic fissures. This is a masterwork of film lighting from the late, great cinematographer Douglas Sloccombe, and is presented here gorgeously. Bravo!

The sound:

It has some nice new discreet directionality in the rear surrounds, which is especially evident in Crusade, when the Messerchmidts are chasing Indy and his dad. And John Williams' scores have never sounded better!

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull:

Picture quality seems to be the same as the previous blu-ray, which already looked quite good, faithful to Skull's theatrical release. The main difference here is the sound has been updated to DTS-HD, adding more depth to the soundtrack.

The extras from the DVD set are all here, with some new additions:

On Set With Raiders of the Lost Ark, which I found particularly rivetting, about the increasingly lost, dying art of on-set live action production. It shows the miracle of what was accomplished in-camera, with very little reliance on post-production, until we get to the opening of the Ark of the Covenant, with director Steven Spielberg saying how hard it is to explain to actors something that they can't see, and won't be there until post-production visual FX are completed. What I found most captivating about watching this footage is it shows just how tireless Steven Spielberg is. He really deserves all the money and credit he gets, because he works very hard. And he clearly LOVES what he is doing, making movies!

The original 1981 featurette, The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Melting Head, showcasing a modern reenactment of what was required to make Toht's head melt.

Indy's Women, showing a recent AFI interview with all three leading ladies in the classic trilogy, Karen Allen from Raiders, Kate Capshaw from Temple and Allison Doody from Crusade, talking about their characters and the experience of working on a tough, physical movie.

and probably one or two features I left out. It's a schmorgasbord. Enjoy!