DVD Comparison David Cronenberg's - The Fly - DVD Review David Cronenberg The Fly DVD Review David Cronenberg The Fly DVD Review David Cronenberg The Fly DVD Review David Cronenberg The Fly DVD Review David Cronenberg The Fly DVD Review Da

directed by David Cronenberg
USA 1986

Cronenberg's most accessible and successful picture is a stunning example of how an idiosyncratic talent can flourish in the mainstream. Simultaneously enjoyable and thought-provoking, humorous and horrific, The Fly succeeds on pretty much every level, from wham-blam crowd-pleaser to highbrow allegory. Scientist Jeff Goldblum - in his ultimate role - perfects a teleportation device that works fine with inanimate objects but has trouble with living matter. Ironing out the glitches, he risks going through the teleportation process himself - only to find that he has managed to fuse his DNA with that of his unsuspected companion in the transport pod, a housefly. Cue alarming physical and mental distortions and, finally, transformations. This is a curiously underpopulated film - the only real characters are Goldblum, Geena Davis as his increasingly terrified journalist girlfriend, and John Getz as her boss and ex-lover, a sour James Woods type. A small central cast is usually an indicator of metaphorical subtext, though whether it's specifically AIDS here - Goldblum spears himself on a microchip the first time he and Davis get in bed together - or more generally disease and death, is up to the viewer's interpretation. However you approach it, The Fly is a phenomenally well-made, exciting movie, light years ahead of the 1958 'original' of which this is only vaguely a remake. Cronenberg totally understands his material, and as a result gets everything just about spot on - he saves the best till last, with a final shot and fade to black which feel just exactly right.

Excerpt from Neil Young's review at the Jigsaw Lounge located HERE

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Theatrical Release: August 15th, 1986

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DVD Comparison:

20th Century Fox (Fly + Fly 2 Box)- Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox (Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC

(20th Century Fox (Fly + Fly 2 Box)- Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox (Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	20th Century Fox Region 1 - NTSC	20th Century Fox Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:35:30	1:35:33
Video	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.33 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.57 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Fox Dual Pack
Bitrate: Fox CE
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)	English (DTS 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), DUBS: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles	English, Spanish, and none	English, Spanish, and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Widescreen Anamorphic - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • The Fly 2 (on opposite side) • Double Feature Theatrical trailers DVD Release Date: September 2nd, 2003 Keep Case Chapters 24	Release Information: Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Widescreen Anamorphic - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by David Cronenberg • 2 production documentaries • Deleted scenes with storyboard and script comparisons • Never-before-seen alternate ending Rare fest footage (makeup and visual effects) • "The Brundle Museum of Natural History" featurette • George Langdon's original short story Charles Edward Pogue's original screenplay • David Cronenberg's screenplay rewrite Interactive articles (stills with video clips) from Cinefex and American • Cinematographer • Promotional featurettes • Still photo galleries • Original teasers, trailers, TV spots, and more • Number of discs: 2 DVD Release Date: October 4th, 2005 Keep Case inside cardboard box Chapters: 36

Comments

I don't think the image has been significantly improved, in fact it looks extremely similar in areas of sharpness, color, framing, brightness, contrast etc... It is obvious that the big benefits are in the extra features, director commentary and the optional DTS track. The price is sure right for all you are getting - assuming you are into the film that much. Yes, some of the extras are filler, but some are very important in regards to the film's production. I was keen to watch the deleted scenes and of course, listen to Cronenberg's commentary, which is filled with relevancies and anecdotes. Personally, I only noticed a small difference in the DTS track from the old Dolby 2.0 one - the bass has a bit more depth in the new DTS - nothing extravagent. Bottom line: Don't let other reviewers sell you on the image or audio being extensively improved, but the listed extras speak for themselves, and the commentary is a must-have for real fans of this film. I may not be the best person to ask as personally, I enjoyed the 58' original better.

NOTE: The Fly II: Collector’s Edition will also be available same day.

- Gary Tooze

DVD Menus

(20th Century Fox (Fly + Fly 2 Box)- Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox (Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

20th Century Fox (Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - Disc 2