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List Price: $59.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 1023
Released: December 2, 2003 |
| Our Price: $25.49 |
| Used Price: $22.00 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Disc 1: Alien Collector?s Edition Disc 2: Aliens Collector?s Edition Disc 3: Alien 3 Collector?s Edition Disc 4: Alien Resurrection Collector?s Edition Disc 5: Bonus Disc
Description of Alien Quadrilogy (Alien/ Aliens /Alien 3 /Alien Resurrection):
The Alien Quadrilogy is a nine-disc boxed set devoted to the four Alien films. Although previously available on DVD as the Alien Legacy, here they have been repackaged with vastly more extras and with upgraded sound and picture. For anyone who hasn't been in hypersleep for the last 25 years, this series needs no introduction, though for the first time each film now comes in both original and "special edition" form.
Alien (1979) was so perfect it didn't need fixing, and Ridley Scott's 2003 director's cut is fiddling for the sake of fiddling. Watch it once, then return to the majestic, perfectly paced original. Conversely, the special edition of James Cameron's Aliens (1986) is the definitive version, though it's nice to finally have the theatrical cut on DVD for comparison. Most interesting is the alternative Alien 3 (1992). This isn't a "director's cut"--David Fincher refused to have any involvement with this release--but a 1991 work-print that runs 29 minutes longer than the theatrical version, and has now been restored, remastered, and finished off with (unfortunately) cheap new CGI. Still, it's truly fascinating, offering a different insight into a flawed masterpiece. The expanded opening is visually breathtaking, the central firestorm is much longer, and a subplot involving Paul McGann's character adds considerable depth to story. The ending is also subtly but significantly different. Alien: Resurrection (1997) always was a mess with a handful of brilliant scenes, and the special edition just makes it eight minutes longer.
The Alien Quadrilogy offers the first and fourth films with DTS soundtracks, the others having still fine Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation. All four films sound fantastic, with much low-level detail revealed for the first time. Each is anamorphically enhanced at the correct original aspect ratio, and the prints and transfers are superlative. Every film offers a commentary track that lends insight into the creative process--though the Scott-only commentary and isolated music score from the first Alien DVD release are missing here.
Each movie is complemented by a separate disc packed with hours of seriously detailed documentaries (all presented in full-screen with clips letterboxed), thousands of photos, production stills, and storyboards, giving a level of inside information for the dedicated buff only surpassed by the Lord of the Rings extended DVD sets. A ninth DVD compiles miscellaneous material, including an hourlong documentary and even all the extras from the old Alien laserdisc. "Exhaustive" hardly beings to describe the Alien Quadrilogy, a set that establishes the new DVD benchmark for retrospective releases and looks unlikely to be surpassed for some time. --Gary S. Dalkin
Alien Quadrilogy (Alien/ Aliens /Alien 3 /Alien Resurrection) Reviews:
Comprehensive doesn't begin to cover this baby. 
2009-12-06 - With BluRay taking over in the way of picture/sound quality and, thanks to studio push, bonus materials, it looks like the Alien Quadrilogy is set to go down in history as the greatest DVD collection ever assembled.
I remember when this set first came out, there were actual complaints about it because some buyers felt that it was overkill. 50 hours of bonus features? Fox threw everything but the kitchen sink into this release. Two versions of each film plus a gajillion documentaries and featurettes spread across nine discs. I remember recieving this as a Christmas gift in 2003 and actually laughing at how long the package was when you folded it out. Another complaint was that some DVD players couldn't handle the enhanced viewing mode. But any player manufactured after, say, 2002 wouldn't have these problems.
If you're a fan of this series, you couldn't reasonably ask for anything else, unless of course you're a fan of the dreadful Alien vs. Predator movies.
alien on aliens
2009-11-29 - Brought mine at a shop, but has anyone brought the set where alien was on the disc where aliens is and Aliens on the disc where Alien is? Be interesting for a reply
Alien Fun
2009-10-12 - I love all 4 of the movies. The way the storyline follows the experince of one brave woman. It's great! The action, aliens, and stuff had me glued to the TV. I would tell everybody if they like syfy and action get these movies.
Sheila
Alien fans unite !
2009-09-20 - This is a 9 DVD box set. OVer 50 hours of bonus materials. Each Alien movie has its own disc and there is a bonus disc for each film. Every major Alien fan should own this box set. Has interviews with most of the actors and movie makers. My only complaint is the disc holders works like an accordian where you have to unfold entire side to get to either the first or last disc. Would have been nice to have a CD soundtrack "best of" all 4 films included.
Alien Quadrilogy
2009-08-20 - There are nine dvds in this boxed set. Each of the four movies (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection) comes with a dvd which explains how they made the film(s) and gives alternate endings. If you like being scared out of your wits, and if you're a Sigourney Weaver fan, and like to see new and innovated hideous creatures, this is the set for you! It comes in a beautiful fold out container contained within a box. Each dvd is very engaging in appearance and a true collector's item.
