I'm very glad to have them all, but man oh man do I think the cover art is poor (again).
I notice that the menu for BATTLE says "Extended Edition" (praise the Lawgiver!), but there doesn't seem to be any mention on the cover. As long as the longer cut is really there, though, I'm a happy chimp.
Why couldn't they just use the original poster art? At the very least, I would have liked to see the different individual styles of lettering for each sequel, instead of (for example):
conquest of the PLANET OF THE APES
I don't get the idea of featuring a chimpanzee on the cover of BENEATH, when it's the least "chimp-friendly" sequel of the lot. Furthermore, those eyes belong to Roddy McDowall, but BENEATH is the only film in which he doesn't appear!!
I know it's a lot of typical "People are never satisfied" whining, but just making an honest obervation. I'm actually very excited about buying these in anamorphic on the 28th, along with the extended cut for BATTLE!
And I agree about the original PLANET -- while at least Fox abandoned the revealing spoiler from the cover, they still felt the need to include it somewhere else in the packaging (with the frowning chimpanzee Caesar looking down on the Statue of Liberty, even though Caesar was NOT featured in the first movie!!)..
Fox, I would have gladly offered my services as a consultant, and for credit only; No Fee!
So with this set you don't get the T. Burton Remake in the set? Nice! I'm in for this set. I just can't see having the giant Head in my living room and beyond that my wife was NOT having that thing stare at her all the time, lol...
Ron obviously got the Legacy Collection - smart move. Thanks for posting all the photos Ron.
Has to be said the cover art is not good. I genuinely do not see ANY reason why key poster art isn't/cannot be used for dvd covers. In UK/R2 land maybe as posters tend to be of the landscape quad design but in the US with portrait one sheets? It's a no brainer. At least they have correct photos
Going by the menu for Planet (which is superb - someone at Fox had the right idea) it's the same disc as disc 1 of the 35th Anniversary SE.
Now here's the question: no 2-disc for Planet, it's a bonus disc which appears to be a single disc version of the Behind docu. I'm only going on specs on Rewind (which are comprehensive) but if it is the first disc of the Behind docu then not everything that was on the 35th Anniversary Edition 2-disc SE of Planet will be here...
I realize that uniform covers are necessary for sales but the least they could have done was include original poster art as an insert, the way Anchor Bay does.
While I am aware of the landmark store in NYC that breaks streetdates by weeks, I can assure you this was not from there.
In fact, judging from the press package shown in the very first photo, I would have thought it was a giveaway to the fact that this was a screener sent to me directly from the studio. Thanks to the wonderful folks at Fox!
The studios are never that generous in sending out ultra-expensive items like the Ape Head. Actually, I am glad that I never received it. Don't want it. It was this Legacy Set that I had my eyes set on from the beginning.
I also figured it wouldn't take long for you guys to spot the inside box artwork that gives away the entire climax of the original film. With all the abuse we have given Fox over the years about the original DVD cover art, I am shocked that someone there had the audacity to do it again. I really feel sorry for the person that watches the film for the very first time and has the ending revealed even before he/she places the disc in the player.
I'm also concerned not all the extra material from the 35th Anniversary DVD made it over to this set. I'm at work right now and all I remember being on the BONUS disc is the documentary and the film trailers. I will make a point to check later this evening and let all of you know if you can ditch your 35th Anniversary disc or not.
I haven't had the time to watch any of these films yet. Been a busy week. I suspect these DVDs are going to look GREAT -- especially with all-new anamorphic transfers on the sequels.
While I also agree the cover art could have been much better across the board, I am still extremely happy that Fox finally did justice to the APE series and gave us these anamorphic releases.
I agree with all these comments, especially the last one. I realize they need to make the packaging more "appealing" to potential new customers. Unfortunately, they end up not being representative of the actual films -- or the era of origin. These new designs definitely make the movies look they're from Tim Burton's ape universe.
It's obvious the studios don't want the DVDs to appear as "old" or "dated". But the films themselves are old. They may be able to modernize the packaging, but the films themselves will always be "retro". It just doesn't seem right to dress them up as something they're not. That's why I love Warner's recent classic offerings -- they are using the films' original art. They do not seem "dated" at all. In fact they have a very classy, elegant "retro" appeal. (BTW -- I thought "retro" was back in.)
Many people trash on those of us who complain when the studios neglect the original key art for their DVD packaging. Obviously, it's the film that is of primary importance. But as a lover and collector of all things film, I feel it's very important to include the films' original artwork somewhere in their DVD release. I hear people say "I'd rather have a quality transfer and great extras than original cover art." I didn't realize that it was an either/or situation. There's no reason we can't have both. In fact, original art included in the packaging design is just "icing on the cake" (again, see WB releases.)
It's a shame that the work of the artists who designed the classic images goes unappreciated. They made their contributions to the films -- just as every other craftsman did. It's a very important part of a film's marketing -- as that single image has to "sell" the film. (Of course, many of these images have probably doomed a film on occasion).
I wish the studios would either use these newer, "market friendly" designs as a slip-cover over original art; or include a card insert featuring the original art -- as Anchor Bay occasionally does. Or even print two-sided insert sheets -- so the consumer can decide which to display. Any of these options would be easy to implement. Just look at all the waste already included in most DVDs (cardboard sleeve, ads, coupons, etc.) Including an insert for the orginal poster wouldn't be that difficult.
On that note, here are some sample covers, with an image for the outer box, for the "classic" POTA collection:
That menu screen unmistakeably comes from the first disc in the "35th Anniversary" set, and I don't necessarily see Fox forking over the gelt to totally re-author the "Legacy" DVD and reincorporate the content from Disc 2 for this new collection.
Looks like the studio apparently decided that the standalone Behind AMC doco-disc was plenty for this version, and those who're wanting all the additional supplements from the "35th Anni" edition are gonna have to throw down for that one, as well. Of course, I could be wrong.