I was going to rent this at the very least, but with no extended version on the HD side, and precious bandwidth wasted for a PiP track as opposed to allocated to a lossless track, I will pass. The lack of extended cut is the deal breaker here. Hopefully a BD50 will rectify this in a few months. I wish I could rent the 3 disc SD release.
When there's a Blu-Ray (or even an HD-DVD double dip -- not holding my breath for that though) with both cuts of the film and all the bonus features, I'll be first in line.
This would've been an easy blind-buy even on a dead format but I'm passing for all the reasons Sam noted. I'll go the rental route instead. If I like it I'll either pick it up for $5 during next months fire sale or wait for the BD.
BTW I don't buy new movies on DVD (just classics and older genre films) and 3-discs or not, $35 for standard def?! pfft!! I don't think so.
Good review. I'm a big fan of Ridley Scott and I thought the film was a solid crime epic, but this half-baked job that Universal has done will have me waiting for the Blu-ray edition somewhere down the line.
After consulting the difference between the two SD versions, it'll be a rental first and, if I'm interested, the 2 disc version for me (if so, I'll pick up a used one at my local video store).
And note that the extras on that disk contains: -Feature Commentary with Ridley Scott and Steven Zaillian – -Deleted Scenes (3:44, Anamorphic) – -Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster (1:18:15, Anamorphic) –This is a five-part documentary produced by Charles de Lauzirika, -Three brief featurettes under the heading of Case Files:
and Per SD Brian, the 3 disk Includes Above Bonus Features PLUS Hip Hop Infusion- Featuring popular rap artists Common and Tip “T.I.” Harris discussing their roles Music Videos Do You Feel Me (Remix) Performed by Anthony Hamilton featuring Ghostface Killah Blue Magic From Jay-Z’s album “American Gangster” BET Special- The Making of American Gangster Dateline NBC: American Gangster First Look Digital Copy of the Unrated Extended Movie For Your PC
Now tell me Universal didnt give full attention to this HD DVD!!!
Can only hope that's true! Been thinking about all the reviews I've done that were a little... underwhelming. So many I'd like to see real special editions of.
All things considered, I actually gave some thought to picking up the 3-disc SD DVD...
...but decided to go ahead and pick up the HD DVD combo disc after all, since it does have the extended cut on the SD side which I am comfortable enough with watching on my second unit's new Digital TV.
Enticing as the extras appeared on the 3-D SE...I could honestly take them or leave them, really.