Munich 2-disc SE - sorta disappointing....
 

It's not bad, it's just... fluffy. I'll explain.

The package is attractive - a cut-out sleeve holding a 2-disc digi-pack, along with a thick booklet - the booklet looks nice but is rather superfluous, since all it contains are screen-shots from the movie and review quotes presented rather unimaginatively. It comes off like a marketing brochure.

The movie has a servicable transfer and audio (no dts). All the warning and FBI screens are skippable, thank God. The only extra on the first disc is a 4-minute intro by Spielberg.

The second disc gives you a straightforward menu of 6 items. Each item is a separate chapter having to do with a different stage of production. That's all well and good, but all of these "featurettes" have a very EPK-feel to them, with little to no substance. But I guess they can't do more than scratch the surface when the featurettes range from only 8-13 minutes each, for a total of around an hour.

There's some good material on there (maybe half an hour's worth), but it pales in comparison to most other single-disc special editions, much less double-disc ones.

I'm not gonna say it's not worth it, but it's definitely one of the less substantive 2-disc sets out there.

too bad universal doesnt own the documentary that came out in 99 (sony does.)

Thanks I'll skip the 2 disc now.

Boy that is sad, I might have to pass as well...

If only the single disc and 2 disc covers were swapped everything would be golden. But we're faced with an overpriced 2 disc set that looks nice, or a standard issued b grade movie rental cover which contains the essentials.

Thanks for the quick review....

As much as I would like to get the more elaborate version.... the extra $12 could probably be spent better...like on another dvd.

I'm shocked. I've always felt that Spielberg's SEs were particularly well done and worth the extra expense -- even The Terminal!

thanks for the reason to save my money. my bf is trying to get me to cut back on buying dvds. he hee.

-Kat

Thanks for the heads up. Gonna switch to the single disc now. Ah, the old days when extras like these were considered "standard".

I'll be getting the single-disc version, but then, I was going to do that anyway. At least now I know I'm not missing much.

thanks. I'm getting the 2-disc.

Ugh. Looks like I'll be picking up the single-disc now. Thanks for the preview.

I'm still getting the 2discer, even if it is disappointing, but thanks for the review.

MATT

It may be dissapointing but it sure looks nice from a packaging standpoint!

No offense to slop101's opinions or observations but you guys are really going to base your buying decision on just one poster's feelings?!

It's not his feelings. He told us what is on the second disc, and some of us agree that it is an underwhelming amount of bonus material at best.

Fluff or not, an hour's worth of documentary isn't worth 15 extra bucks.

My need to get the 2-disc over the [usually] significantly cheaper 1-disc is waning -- I would rather place those extra funds toward another movie. I LOVED Munich in the theater, and was originally intending to buy the 2-disc version (regardless of reviews), but I just can't stomach playing into the marketing ploy any longer. I'd rather be a collector of movies, not a collector of "collectors editions."

Thanks...sticking with the one disc.

Not to sound like Tom Cruise on the Today show, but I think that's a rather glib statment, since you don't know the content of said documentary but whatever--it's becoming clear that this release will be very limited, so the less people buying it, the more I'm assured of getting ahold of a copy...

I can't speak for this specific documentary, but your absolute doesn't ring true to me. The limited edition of 'Bad Taste' came with only one half-hour documentary on the bonus disc, but that documentary was the single most inspiring making of doc I've ever seen, and worth the highly inflated price of the DVD alone (which is good, because the movie isn't).

Out of curiosity, did you buy the re-release of 'Jaws' which came with an extra hour's worth of documentary and cost $10-$15 more than the original release?

In more ways than one....

1. No DTS
2. No commentaries (As expected from a Spielberg flick tho)
3. Only an 1 hour worth of extras spanning across 6 featurettes (like you said tho, we don't know the content of these featurettes)
4. No deleted scenes
5. No trailer

But that artwork sure makes up for the extra money you have to spend right? I guess to each his own but they could have done a lot better with this release...

Universal used to be a big supporter of DTS, but they've been very flaky with it recently. They don't include it for two of the year's biggest movies - King Kong and Munich - but put it on a 40-year old movie driven strictly by dialog - To Kill a Mockingbird. I just don't get them. Additionally, what's up with not putting trailers on a DVD? They're probably the easiest things to include. What's even worse is when they don't include the trailers for the movie, but make sure they pack the disc with coming attractions and such.

Now, that's a complaint I can get behind 110%!

Well, at least I can by the one disc and save some money now...

I've noticed most recent Spielberg dvds have terrible extras. Minority Report and Artificial Intelligence, both of those releases are very short and have very EPK-style featurettes.

Yep, bugs the shit out of me as well. Though from the wonderful marketer's view, why waste valuable disc space for that trailer when they can try to sell you another DVD.

aaargh, call me lame (ok..don't..heh) but what does EPK stand for?

EPK = Electronic Press Kit

Electronic Press Kit = (typically) 15-20 minute featurettes commissioned by a studio making a particular film designed to build viewer interest in said film, usually by offering little more than a sketchy plot outline, plenty of scenes from the said film and self-congratulatory, "pat on the back", "mutual affection" interviews with stars and crew.

I haven't seen it advertised in canada yet....has anyone heard if it will be available north of the border?

I try to skip the dual inventory marketing gimmick every chance I get.
I made an exception for Batman Begins and King Kong due to the content.
This is another example of a DVD I would have bought if it was released as a 2 disc set only.
Now, I'll rent instead.

the Packaging imo is worth an extra 5 bucks but for 10 bucks more than the 1 disc? don't think so...

Since I'm not going to pay 15 bucks for the shitty 1 disc, I'll just rent it.

The mere mention of "digi-pack" makes me cut and run on this one. I dunno, I may be a dizzy broad, but I like my keep cases and digi-packs haven't the durability I would prefer.

Here's a review of the 2-discer from DVDActive:
DVDActive review for Munich: Limited Edition

Also, it looks like Walmart is going to have some sort of bonus disc to go along with the 1-disc release (I don't know the content of the bonus disc). Still not sure which set I'll go for...the 2-disc Limited Edition or the Walmart 1-disc (with bonus disc).

For those who are still on the fence, DVDActive has images of the two-disc set here:

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/munich.html

Being a collector of dvds, as well as a fan of great movies, the two disc is the way to go (at least for me). I also can certainly understand the negativity over the price point on this release.

Hopefully they won't be able to fall back on that lame excuse with HD-DVD/Blu-Ray.

On the link flixtime provided it's saying Munich isn't anamorphic?

Yeah, I noticed that later as well. I wouldn't worry about it at all....I think it's just a case of a little carelessness. If you look just below the anamorphic listing as "no", you will also see a listing for "color" which says "no". Plus upcomingdiscs.com reviewed the one-discer and they've indicated it is anamorphic (and in color) so that should lay to rest any doubts.

It is. I'm watching it right now,and it's definitely anamorphic.

I'm going with the 2-disc myself. Good movie, and the cover art on the 2-disc is just awesome!!!