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**dWSOj26H** · 12-07-2008, 09:21 AM

'Dark Knight' DVDs spectacular
We breakdown all 13 versions -- yes, 13 -- of the blockbuster film
By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Sun Media

Nolan didn't focus on Ledger

LOS ANGELES -- Why so serious? Easy answer: Batman is poised to return again on DVD, this time as The Dark Knight.

It is an occasion for Batman fans to both rejoice -- some spectacular DVD goodies debut Tuesday -- and to mourn -- because it reminds us of the tragic loss of Heath Ledger, brilliant as The Joker.

Ledger is expected to be nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar, making him the fifth actor in Academy Award history to be named posthumously.

Meanwhile, there is no mention of that possibility on DVD. Strangely, there is no mention of Ledger's death whatsoever, except for the simple tribute at the end of the film. Perhaps this deliberate oversight was to avoid exploiting his accidental overdose on prescription drugs last Jan. 22.

As for the DVDs, The Dark Knight sets a record. This is the most bewildering array ever offered for one title on one day. Most choices are about packaging and collectibles, not contents. We're here to sort it out for you.

STANDARD DVD VERSIONS

Widescreen Edition

It doesn't get any more basic than this. You get the movie in its proper ratio — and nothing else. Not even the trailer.

Fullscreen Edition

Ditto on the basics. But this time the movie is downsized. Reminder: You lose up to 40 per cent of the image. With The Dark Knight, an action film with a visionary's zeal in composing images, that is a travesty.

Limited Edition

This set, with the "Why So Serious?" cover, contains the same two-disc special edition described at right. Plus you get a souvenir Batman moleskin journal. Exclusive to Blockbuster.

Limited Edition with Clown Mask

This set has the same special edition in a gift box with a miniature version of The Joker's henchman's mask on a pedestal. Wow! A Best Buy exclusive.

SteelBook Edition

The same special edition is now housed in a sleek steel case with the same "Batman & Batpod" cover. A Future Shop exclusive.

Limited Edition with Batman Mask

The same special edition is now inside a hard plastic container shaped as Batman's mask. Cool! This one comes with an extra bonus disc containing a unique 46-minute doc. While overblown in its presentation, Batman Unmasked deconstructs the Batman myth from its 1939 origins as a Bob Kane comic to Nolan's modern re-interpretation. An HMV exclusive.

Collector's Edition

You get just the basic widescreen edition (no extras!) with a DC Comics double-issue reprint showing the origins of Batman and The Joker.

Plus there is a replica version of Two-Face's 1922 Liberty silver dollar. A Wal-Mart exclusive.

BLU-RAY VERSIONS

Blu-ray Edition

With its higher capacity, the two-disc Blu-ray has all of the extras of the standard special edition, including a digital copy. Plus you get another gadgets featuette, Batman Tech, as well as Batman Unmasked and the BD Live option for exploring online. You can create your own commentary and share it.

Blu-ray Limited Edition Gift Set

The same two-disc version is housed in a hard plastic bat signal container and gift-packaged with a miniature Batpod. Ultra cool!

Blu-ray SteelBook

The same two-disc version is slipped inside a steel case. A Future Shop exclusive.

Blu-ray Limited Edition with Batman mask

The same two-disc version is housed in the hard plastic Batman mask. HMV exclusive.

Blu-ray Limited Edition with Clown Mask

The same two-disc version is gift-packaged with the miniature clown's mask. A Best Buy exclusive.

SPECIAL EDITION

This is the two-disc version in widescreen-only. Besides a digital copy for both PC and Mac, Disc Two is loaded. It is a good -- not great -- package of extras. Missing is that Ledger tribute I expected; also disappointing is the lack of an overview. There are no deleted scenes, no commentary. But what is here packs a punch. Director Christopher Nolan deals in intelligent insight, not mere hype.

Example: Composer Hans Zimmer breaks down how he gave The Joker a signature sound, including the manipulation of two taut cello notes to create "the sound of anarchy."

Another example: Nolan and his designers lead us through the evolution of the Batsuit and the creation of that fantastical Batpod. Also here are isolations of the six IMAX sequences, art galleries, trailers and 47 minutes of mock-serious GNL newscasts (based on CNN newscasts) hosted by Mike Engel (Anthony Michael Hall).

12-07-2008, 09:21 AM	#1
dWSOj26H Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	Which Version of Dark Knight will you get? 'Dark Knight' DVDs spectacular We breakdown all 13 versions -- yes, 13 -- of the blockbuster film By BRUCE KIRKLAND -- Sun Media Nolan didn't focus on Ledger LOS ANGELES -- Why so serious? Easy answer: Batman is poised to return again on DVD, this time as The Dark Knight. It is an occasion for Batman fans to both rejoice -- some spectacular DVD goodies debut Tuesday -- and to mourn -- because it reminds us of the tragic loss of Heath Ledger, brilliant as The Joker. Ledger is expected to be nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar, making him the fifth actor in Academy Award history to be named posthumously. Meanwhile, there is no mention of that possibility on DVD. Strangely, there is no mention of Ledger's death whatsoever, except for the simple tribute at the end of the film. Perhaps this deliberate oversight was to avoid exploiting his accidental overdose on prescription drugs last Jan. 22. As for the DVDs, The Dark Knight sets a record. This is the most bewildering array ever offered for one title on one day. Most choices are about packaging and collectibles, not contents. We're here to sort it out for you. STANDARD DVD VERSIONS Widescreen Edition It doesn't get any more basic than this. You get the movie in its proper ratio — and nothing else. Not even the trailer. Fullscreen Edition Ditto on the basics. But this time the movie is downsized. Reminder: You lose up to 40 per cent of the image. With The Dark Knight, an action film with a visionary's zeal in composing images, that is a travesty. Limited Edition This set, with the "Why So Serious?" cover, contains the same two-disc special edition described at right. Plus you get a souvenir Batman moleskin journal. Exclusive to Blockbuster. Limited Edition with Clown Mask This set has the same special edition in a gift box with a miniature version of The Joker's henchman's mask on a pedestal. Wow! A Best Buy exclusive. SteelBook Edition The same special edition is now housed in a sleek steel case with the same "Batman & Batpod" cover. A Future Shop exclusive. Limited Edition with Batman Mask The same special edition is now inside a hard plastic container shaped as Batman's mask. Cool! This one comes with an extra bonus disc containing a unique 46-minute doc. While overblown in its presentation, Batman Unmasked deconstructs the Batman myth from its 1939 origins as a Bob Kane comic to Nolan's modern re-interpretation. An HMV exclusive. Collector's Edition You get just the basic widescreen edition (no extras!) with a DC Comics double-issue reprint showing the origins of Batman and The Joker. Plus there is a replica version of Two-Face's 1922 Liberty silver dollar. A Wal-Mart exclusive. BLU-RAY VERSIONS Blu-ray Edition With its higher capacity, the two-disc Blu-ray has all of the extras of the standard special edition, including a digital copy. Plus you get another gadgets featuette, Batman Tech, as well as Batman Unmasked and the BD Live option for exploring online. You can create your own commentary and share it. Blu-ray Limited Edition Gift Set The same two-disc version is housed in a hard plastic bat signal container and gift-packaged with a miniature Batpod. Ultra cool! Blu-ray SteelBook The same two-disc version is slipped inside a steel case. A Future Shop exclusive. Blu-ray Limited Edition with Batman mask The same two-disc version is housed in the hard plastic Batman mask. HMV exclusive. Blu-ray Limited Edition with Clown Mask The same two-disc version is gift-packaged with the miniature clown's mask. A Best Buy exclusive. SPECIAL EDITION This is the two-disc version in widescreen-only. Besides a digital copy for both PC and Mac, Disc Two is loaded. It is a good -- not great -- package of extras. Missing is that Ledger tribute I expected; also disappointing is the lack of an overview. There are no deleted scenes, no commentary. But what is here packs a punch. Director Christopher Nolan deals in intelligent insight, not mere hype. Example: Composer Hans Zimmer breaks down how he gave The Joker a signature sound, including the manipulation of two taut cello notes to create "the sound of anarchy." Another example: Nolan and his designers lead us through the evolution of the Batsuit and the creation of that fantastical Batpod. Also here are isolations of the six IMAX sequences, art galleries, trailers and 47 minutes of mock-serious GNL newscasts (based on CNN newscasts) hosted by Mike Engel (Anthony Michael Hall).
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