El Cosmico here with a fine reader's review of the SWE1:TPM VCD. Ahhh....the Phantom Menace. Scroll down for the DVD update. Warms my heart. Well, here's the review:
El Cosmico,
Since I suddenly seem to be the designated AICN expert on imported versions of "The Phantom Menace," I thought you might be interested in this. I just received a legalversion of TPM on Video-CD, or VCD. It's an import, via coolvcd.com. Coolvcd is rather cagey on their website as to exactly where their stock comes from, but the discs were shipped from Malaysia (the liner and opening screens declare that the discs are "sold on the condition it is not offered for sale outside of Malaysia." Go figure).
The upside? It's real cheap, at $13.88 plus a nominal shipping charge for the two-disc set, less than the pan-and-scan VHS tape sells for from some retailers. The packaging is actually quite nice, with a DVD-case-sized cardboard sleeve covering two CD jewel cases. The graphics on the sleeve and discs are top-quality. It plays well on a laptop.
But that's about it.
The picture, to be polite, sucks. MPEG-1 pixelization errors are rampant, and on a large screen like my Toshiba 35" TV, the movie is just about unwatchable. While the discs are factory-pressed "silvers" that should work in most consumer DVD players, they're probably not worth your trouble. The quality is just barely above a 1977-vintage bootleg VHS of "Star Wars," and well below that of a modern VHS transferforget about Dolby Digital, this thing is lucky to just be in stereo. The presentation is pan-and-scan, in English, with no subtitles. There are 13 clunky chapter stops.
The only reason you'd want to buy this set is (a) if you're a Star Wars completistor (b) if you just absolutely have to watch TPM on an airplane--the only bearable display I've seen it on is the 14" screen of my Powerbook.
Otherwise, skip it.
Now, go enjoy something from Texadelphia on behalf of this Austin expatriate.
Best, --Will Collier willcollier@mac.com
Well, there you go. Just about what I expected. Personally, I've never cared for VCDs (ahhh..can't wait for the talkback on this...). Anyway, many thanks to Will for his review, and SAVE YOUR MONEY, FOLKS!
-El Cosmico
mail me at: elcosmico@austin.rr.com
UPDATE---
Okay, LucasFilm has commented on the rumors of a DVD release this year, here's a statement straight from the greedy bantha's mouth...
"Yes, Lucasfilm has officially begun work on DVDs for the Star Wars films, but it is still far too soon to know which films will be released when and what the content will be. It is up to George to decide the content of the discs, and they will not be released in 2000, nor is there any firm date beyond this year."
