Audio takes, a more demonstrative leap forward with a lossless DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a healthy 3298 kbps. It has some aggression in the bass response. Aside from Forbidden Planet's ground-breaking inclusion of "Robby the Robot" we had another first - an all-electronic music musical score that really comes through well in the HD track. It is almost too strong and piercing in parts. Unfortunately, again no option for the original stereo/mono audio (NOTE: I've been corrected in that it was originally a 4-track stereo (35mm magnetic prints: left | center | right | surround) and "Perspecta" mono (35mm optical prints: "fake stereo" directional sound system) - thanks Christian and Marvin! Regardless, I've come to enjoy this mix that exports enough subtleties to appreciate its intent. There are also a handful of foreign language DUBs and more subtitle options supporting the Blu-ray's region FREE status.

Digital extras are almost exactly duplicated from the 'Ultimate Edition' - the deleted scenes + 'lost footage' and the1958 MGM feature film The Invisible Boy (1:29:29) and The Thin Man TV Series Episode Robot Client (25:35), plus the three documentaries: Watch the Skies: Science Fiction, the 50's and Us, Amazing!: Exploring the Far Reaches of The Forbidden Planet, and Robbie the Robot: Engineering a Sci-fi Icon. In total almost 4 hours worth - but in SD only and all accessible on the lone dual-layered Blu-ray.  We are only missing the vintage memorabilia (Robby the Robot replica, collectible packaging and mail-in offer for a reproduction of an original Forbidden Planet theatrical poster).

Looking at all those supplements and the a/v improvement - this is a helluva package - one that fans of Forbidden Planet - a film that that continues to grow on me - or this, more innocent, sci-fi genre won't want to pass up. Recommended!

***

ON THE DVDs: NOTE: this Ultimate Edition has the same transfer (and digital supplements) on both discs as the Anniversary Edition sold HERE.

I don't mean to 'rain on the parade' but I think I may have had higher expectations for the image quality of the new release than it is representing. It is significantly cleaner than the old edition and sharper (for the most part) - although this was a 'given' with the high degree of anticipation of this release. Contrast is improved but I am ambivalent to make any bold statements on the colors. It could be the lighting but the uniforms of Commander Adams crew shift from blue to silver and even brown in some scenes.

Black levels may have been brought up a shade - which is very acceptable and I am unsure of any other manipulation, but it seems apparent that the old release had some brightness boosting. As other reviewers are probably gushing about this new transfer, perhaps my comments might be construed as unwarranted complaining. While I am at it though - another gripe is the audio - a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounds fine. Framing shows a bit more information on the edges of the new releases. 

Other than that - everything else is all good with the new edition - I went for the Ultimate as opposed to the Anniversary only because it was the only one available at the time. My sons like the Robby the Robot toy figure and the gaudy tin box is a cute keepsake. Some of the extras are filler, although interesting to some... but I enjoyed the additions of the 'Robby' features - The Invisible Boy is a hoot! A commentary might have been warranted as the film has much more to offer than simply what is on the surface, but so be it.

Overall, if you are at all into this genre of 50's sci-fi classics this ranks up with some of the best (This Island Earth , The Day the Earth Stood Still and Invasion of the Body Snatchers). Kind of a must-own in my mind, but my advice is go for the Anniversary Edition unless you are a true zealot about the film. 

Gary W. Tooze