ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray May 17': Cited as a "New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by cowriter-director Terry Zwigoff." The improvement is apparent - colors are richer and bolder - there is more information in the frame at the top and bottom. The aspect ratio is the correct 1.85:1. Flesh tones coo and lose their orange hue. The image is pristinely clean and the 4K restored transfer looks great in-motion. I presume, that this is as good as it will ever look.

For the audio Criterion use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at 3529 kbps (24-bit). Separations are fairly modest with a few significant effects reaching the rear speakers. The eclectic music is the best in Ghost World starting with Jaan Pehechaan Ho performed by Mohammad Rafi (as Mohammed Rafi) in the choreographed east Indian dance sequence from the 65' film, then there's the 'Graduation Rap', but most will recall the vinyl-played Devil Got My Woman written and performed by Nehemiah "Skip" James that causes Enid to revisit Seymour. It all sounds wonderful and rich in the robust lossless. There are optional (SDH) subtitles on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

In the extras, Criterion add a brand new audio commentary featuring Zwigoff, Ghost World comic creator and film co-writer Daniel Clowes, and producer Lianne Halfon. It's relaxed and they seem quite pleasant - reminiscing, with laughter, over the film's creative elements. It was good. We also get a 42-minute documentary, entitled Art as Dialogue, featuring new interviews with actors Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, and Illeana Douglas. Fans may love the 6-minutes, with optional commentary, of an extended excerpt from Gumnaam (1965) featuring the Bollywood number that appears in Ghost World’s opening title sequence. There are 10-minutes of unexplained deleted scenes and a trailer. The package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Howard Hampton, a 2001 piece by Zwigoff on the film’s soundtrack, and reprinted excerpts from Clowes’s comic Ghost World.

Such an enjoyable film, unique characters and real life circumstance, independence, maturity, friendship - cute, endearing in an atmosphere of eclectia. You watch and could re-watch it immediately after. The Criterion adds value with a beautiful 4K restored image - and great supplements including the commentary. Absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze