Customer Reviews

NEW Alien Quadrilogy (DVD)

5 star:		(129)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Holy heck where do I start? I dunno how this set is only worth a hundred bucks! Nine discs and every single thing any Alien fan could ask for!

This set is better than the Star Wars set, the Indiana Jones set, the Jurassic Park set, holy cow! This has two discs for every movie, plus a bonus disc with tons of other cool features! Man... every Sci-Fi fan needs to own this, as well as the Predator films. It don't get better than this!!!!!!

You dont understand why David Fincher did'nt contribute on Quad?????? tell me what would you do?????, June 25, 2005
Reviewer: M. taylor "alien crazy" (Australia) - See all my reviews

I own Alien Quad region 1 and 4 (Australian and US version)and also Alien Legacy (region 2 UK, 5 disk limited edition)i came up with this crazy idea to experiment with my multi-region player and to compare the difference in these box sets (obviously one has to be a mad collecter to do this). And yes even though the 2 Quads are almost the same in material (Legacy has material Quads don't have), they all differ in different ways, and i have had a ball comparing and collecting, and i have bonus material coming out of my ears, not a bad way to recover from 2 time consuming operations.

Result: Alien Quad region 1 US Rules
Why????

Region 1 Picture and sound quality is better

Region 1 has a deleted scene marker, region 2 and 4 do not.

Region 1 has deleted scenes in Theatre release menus, region 4 does not.

Region 4 jumps, pauses, flashes, all by a spit second (not a big deal)

Region 4 has a great and safe box design and artwork, region 1 is bigger has more artwork BUT is vunrable to fall apart although i have'nt had the problems other people have had, my advise is look after your box and be gentle and it should last.
Region 2 Alien Legacy has a great 5th disk (material not seen in any Quad boxes)and cool original cases. Region 1 US RULES and im Australian.

All you people critizing David Fincher for not contributing on commentary's for Alien 3, do some research with the crap he had to put up with so you know what you are complaining about(no wonder he did'nt want to show up, and tell me what would you do???????)

David Fincher negative critics GET A LIFE, for positive or nasty remarks you can email me on taylor5821@hotmail.com

MOST PROBABLY THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND ENTERTAINING DVD COLLECTION EVER!!!! ANY ALIEN FAN WILL DIE WHEN THE READ ITS CONTENTS, OFFERING US DIRECTORS CUTS OF EACH FILM. THOUGH ALIEN3 ISNT TECHNICALLY A DIRECTORS CUT ITS RUNNING TIME HAS THE MOST FOOTAGE INCREASED. LITERRALY EVERY ASPECT OF FILMING IS INCLUDED IN THE NUMEROUS BEHIND THE SCENES ARCHIVES AND THE FILMS ARE ALL ACCOMPANIED WITH EXTENSIVE COMMENTARYS, WITH THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF THE FOOLISH AND ULTIMATELY UNGRATEFUL DAVID FINCHER. HE COULD NOT BE PRAISED MORE BY THE OTHER DIRECTORS AND EVEN THE PRODUCERS AND HIS SUPPOSED FALIURE ALIEN3 HAS BEEN RESTORED WITH THE MATERIAL THEY APPARENTLY SOOO NEEDED TO MAKE THE FILM WORK. FACT -ALIEN 3 IS A MASTERPIECE DIREC CUT OR NOT AND A FINE CONCLUSION TO THE SERIOUS SERIES UNLIKE THE CAMPY AND HILLARIOUS ALIEN RESURRECTION WICH WAS SO SILLY I SOMETIMES EVEN FORGOT THEY MADE IT AND INCLUDED IT IN THIS BOXSET. TRULY ALIEN DIES WITH DIGNITY AS A TRILOGY ALONG WITH HANNIBAL LECTERS TRILOGY, SCREAM,AND STAR WARS.

If you are a fan of the Alien saga, or a buyer of blockbuster movies, you must have this collection. Not only are the extras (see the Amazon review by Dalkin for all the technical details including; documentaries, commentaries, storyboards, illustrations and post-production notes) what you would expect from any serious DVD package these days, you also get two versions of each movie.

It is an interesting exercise to compare the different versions of each film. Alien Resurrection isn't altered much, and the director's cut of Alien is inferior to the theatrical version. Cameron's director's cut of Aliens enhances the original while a special edition version of Alien 3 (not endorsed by Fincher) is worth having, despite some flaws with sound and overall quality.

Some reviews have criticised the packaging and quality of the DVD's. My DVD's were in perfect condition with no scatches or glitches while playing. These complaints may be related to a certain batch, and couldn't possibly be typical of the product.

While the packaging isn't brilliant, these criticisms should not disuade any prospective buyer. If you take care it should last. But really, who buys a DVD package for the cardboard?

As I wrote above, if you are a fan of the series you must have this product. I also recommend collectors of box sets to invest in this superior product. I doubt the Alien saga box set can or will be improved upon in the future. This is the ultimate edition, despite a slightly cheap package.

It does not get better then this folks. This box set is so damm cool and all four movies are great in their own way. The extras are okay but the extended versions is why you should buy this. 2 versions of all four movies on each disc. The box is very cool done but the case where the DVDs are held is poorly done. Buy this if you like alien movies or horror in general.

The Alien Quadrilogy [2003] is perhaps the best illustration of how DVD technology has consigned VHS to the dustbin of home entertainment history. This beautifully packaged boxed set is a splendid illustration of the capabilities of the DVD medium and certainly contains everything you ever wanted to know about Alien - and then some.

The 9 DVDs comprise both the original theatrical releases and extended director's cuts of all 4 movies. Audio and visuals have been tweaked to a noticeable degree to optimise home enjoyment. If you don't already possess a surround-sound system - buy one now!

The documentary disks accompanying each movie are crammed full of fascinating material - storyboards, backstage candid shots and tons of insightful and amusing interviews with the directors, producers, actors etc. One of the highlights for me being the Aliens 3 supplemental disk, which recounts the amazing story of the abortive "wooden monastery" first draft and the huge problems that beset the third installment. I wonder if one of the proposed taglines for another draft of Alien 3 - "On Earth *everyone* can hear you scream" may yet be used for a 5th movie? Also, seeing the legendary H.R. Giger at work in his bone-filled mausoleum of a studio was truly captivating.

Everyone is familiar with the movies themselves, so just a few brief words will suffice on each;

Alien: a sublime and seminal blend of intelligent sci-fi and gothic horror. Totally blew me away when I first saw it in '78 and it can still shock and grab you by the guts today. I prefer the theatrical release, as the extended version lacks a little pace in the denouement due to superfluous scenes - 10/10.

Aliens: Not quite the stunning claustrophobic impact of the first movie, but the breathless action easily compensates. Go for the special edition here for the more meaningful intro and the poignant scene where Ripley finds out about her daughter - 10/10.

Alien 3: Director's cut is *FAR* superior here - why the abbatoir scene and the nascent "bambi" alien were cut from the theatrical version is truly baffling. The strongest characterisation and human interest of the entire series, although the ending appears somewhat rushed and is not entirely satisfactory - 8/10.

Alien Resurrection: Generally held to be the weakest of the series (I agree), Jeunet dilutes the alien impact with some whimsical direction and downright annoying characterisation. In places Alien 4 descends, disappointingly, into black comedy. Cult actor Ron Perlman is great though and the alien effects are excellent. Stick with the slicker theatrical version - 6/10.

So, whilst I am not a great fan of the 4th installment, this collection, especially now at this bargain price, undeniably represents excellent value for money and is an indispensible purchase for the serious sci-fi fan. The Alien Quadrilogy is what DVD systems were made for!

This box set is extraordinary!!! Nine DVDs filled to the brim of amazing extras and extended cuts of all four Alien movies makes the "Alien Legacy" box set nothing but recycling bin material. While many detest the third and fourth movies, I love them all and I am proud to own them on this Quadrilogy. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley is phenemonal throughout all four of the movies. DVDs don't get any better than this!!!!!!!!

As a fan of the alien series since I was a child, I can say I am 100% satisfied with this awesome collection. The nine DVD's are packed with the four great movies (with both Widescreen AND fullscreen on each), plenty of extras (probably more than I'll even have time to watch, sadly), and a great case that is small enough to take in the car, on trips, to your friend's house, ect. The extra features are cool, but the movies are where this gets it real luster from. Alien and Alien 3 are more of thrillers/horror movies, and Aliens and Alien Ressurection are more action oriented, but still very creepy. As a warning to people who've never seen a movie in this series, you better not watch this if you have a really weak stomach. These movies are very shocking (and quite graphic). I still remember being shocked as the baby alien ripped out of the guy's stomach.
Alien 10 out of 10. Great movie, very creepy, and very shocking.
Aliens 10 out 10 As I said earlier, more action packed and faster paced than the original, but still pretty creepy.
Alien 3 9.7 out of 10 A very good return to the horror roots of the original (again with only one alien like in the original), but all in all pretty action packed at the end.
Alien Ressurection 9.4 out of 10 Fast paced like in Aliens, and very exciting. I was dissapointed at the ending (I loathed the human-like alien). I liked how they incorporated modern special effects, though.

This series is well-worth owning and is fun to watch time and time again.

First things first...

The Alien Quadrilogy set is worth every penny and is the best box set I have ever seen.

There are some out there with better and "cooler" designs, but nothing beats the contents.

They aren't kidding with all these featurettes, photso, interviews, various EVERYTHING. All you wanted to know on these films has been covered and yes, really, you DO get about 50 hours of entertainment watching these.

From reading the scripts, to acting out takes, the behind the scenes stories, this set is worth it for ANY Alien fan!

People have said they would have liked a bit more juicy stuff concerning Alien3, and I do agree that Fox screwed us over a little bit on that regard.

However, it's definitely not enought to take away any points when you see the rest of this fan's dream come true.

I enjoyed all the movies to an extint, part 4 being by far the least enjoyed. The first was horrifying, the second perfectly action-packed, the third dark and depressing (but fantastic), and the fourth a major let down that changed the formula. Still, I didn't "hate" it.

All in all I have never seen this much effort put into a set. Especially to make 2 different versions of each, and the little bonus book was great fun as well =)

Some have complained on the packaging...well, I can see where it *IS* annoying getting dvds out of the plastic containers from time to time. I see this in most DVDs I buy now though. It wasn't anything different in the way they make individual or box cases.

And I actually liked how they did the fold out. Unrolling something that keeps going and going and making your friends and familys mouths DROP is always worth a good time =)

I wasn't crazy about some of the artwork on the box, but then again some of it still blew me away.

Those are the only complaints I have found out of hours and hours of Alien history.

Here's the big question regarding the Alien series: do you spring for the massive 9 disc boxset, or do you save a little cash (and time) by only picking up the two good movies in the series?

Folks, the first two films are inarguably classics of their genres. But the last two films are pretty disposable. Especially 3, a movie that just exists for no explainable reason. If you haven't seen it, consider yourself lucky, as it basically makes mince meat of everything that was great about the first two. The fourth one is good by comparison, just because there wasn't getting much worse than 3.

Why do we need 9 disc sets? Why do we need alternate cuts of movies? I'll tell you, it sure is nice to finally be able to have the vastly superior Theatrical Cut of "Aliens" rather than the unnecessarily bloated extended cut.

Two movies are classics, two movies are crap. But- and this complicates matters- part four is ENTERTAINING crap. But these features, man- I can't bring myself to wade through three hours of features about a classic, let alone three hours of features for a crappy movie.