Randy Miller III

Hey guys,

For anyone that recieved a copy of the Mondo Cane box set, you've probably noticed the somewhat brittle nature of the outer plastic box. This was due to the shrinkwrapping, and many cases were broken or chipped during shipment. I e-mailed Blue Underground about this (as your friendly neighborhood DVDTalk reviewer should), and I just got this back today:

Hi Randy,
We are in the process of printing up some new cases which will be available within the next 30 days.
Please send me your address so we can send you a new one.
Thanks
Lissa
Blue Underground

If anyone else has a damaged box, drop 'em an e-mail here: [email protected].

RichDB10

Hmm...i wonder what style they will adopt for these replacement cases?..a strengthened plastic case or cardboard i wonder?.....just thinking...if it is a cardboard one how many people will try to obtain these despite having a case that isn't damaged?

sicklerice

In the GODFATHERS OF MONDO documentary, they show employees of Blue Underground fashioning boxes out of human skin and teeth. There will not be a home-challenged person left in NYC by the time they are done replacing all the boxes.

Randy Miller III

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if they kept the same style of boxes. They weren't bad per se, but the shrinkwrapping process is what made them stiff and brittle. Either way, I'm glad they're addressing the problem.

EPKJ

Actually, that shrinkwrap argument is bogus. All DVD's are shrinkwrapped . Only this set has a problem with this. This indicates that the problem is not with the shrinkwrap process, which works fine on everything else, but with the cheap and brittle plastic which was used.

By the way, I hope they opt for cardboard boxes.

Randy Miller III

I still have to disagreee with you there, EPKJ. I wasn't really clear with my former post, though...I don't think it was necessarily the shrinkwrap itself, but the temperature it was applied at (from what I've heard). This difference in temperature is what made the plastic brittle. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this plastic the same type as some other box sets (such as Star Trek: DS9), which have held up just fine?

Still, it's hardly worth debating anyway. I do agree with you on one thing, though...I'd actually prefer a nice cardboard-style slipcase myself (mostly due to the weight of the 8 DVD cases).

EPKJ

No, I don't think the DS9 sets used this. I think that the Criterion Edition of Brazil used the same plastic. I have not seen this plastic used very often with DVD box sets. I think there is a good reason for that. It doesn't seem very sturdy. This seems like the same plastic used on dress shirt boxes.

Still, I wish they would just use cardboard.

DarthMaul420

The good news is they are replacing them!!!!

The bad news for me is that I received set 00038 all cracked up. Why can't my high numbered sets get destroyed?

EPKJ

Well, I have never been a big fan of numbered boxes, but I can understand your disappointment. I wonder if these will be out before Christmas. I am surprised that Blue Underground has not put anything on their website yet.

EPKJ

Has anyone heard anything about the replacement boxes yet?

EPKJ

I still have not heard anything about box replacements other than the one e-mail. Blue Underground has posted nothing on their website as yet.

Mutley Hyde

Actually, no. The Brazil set uses a thicker, more pliable plastic. It's also 'dimpled', there being a texture to it, whereas the Mondo Cane set is thinner and has a slick, completely texture-less surface.

When I got mine, I was happy because it didn't look screwed up at all, but sure enough, upon opening it, I saw that the bottom of the case, near the spine, was cracked. My theory is that the damned security metal sticker, which was in that very spot, is what provided the resistance during the shrikwrap process that cracked the box.

B.S.Preston,ESQ

EPKJ

I doubt the security sticker is the villain. Too many people have these damaged boxes. Mine was damaged in places which had no security tag. I still wonder when the replacement boxes will be mentioned on Blue Underground's website.

DivxGuy

I just received mine today. How would I know if it is damaged? Do I have to peel the shrink wrap off? On the surface, it looks fine.

EPKJ

Yes, you need to remove the shrink wrap. Don't you normally do that anyway?

TomOpus

I think DivxGuy just wanted to be able to check for damage w/o removing the shrink wrap, thus making it easier to return if need be.

EPKJ

OK, I understand. But, from my own experience and what I have read, he needs to unwrap it. Some people have posted that damage occured after they had the set for days. Cracks just started appearing and getting bigger.

ctyankee

You're just cutting him some slack ... right?

DivxGuy

No, I usually don't remove the shrink-wrap from box sets. Seriously (it protects the outside of the box).

GatorDeb

The box pretty much came almost undone in my hands. E-mailed for replacement.

EPKJ

"No, I usually don't remove the shrink-wrap from box sets. Seriously (it protects the outside of the box)."

But that is like putting plastic slip covers on a couch!

EPKJ

By the way, just to stay on topic, I still have heard nothing about the replacement boxes. Has anyone else found out anything?

RichDB10

According to Lissa Beltri from Blue Underground the replacement boxes won't be complete until Feb. 2004

unbeeleebable

Thanks for the update RichDB10. I have been thinking about dropping BU an e-mail requesting that information but now no need to!