20th CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT is beginning to release some exciting double features with an SRP of $34.98!  Most exciting about these double features,...they're great combinations and are "all" anamorphic!  The first double feature, "THE FLY" and "RETURN OF THE FLY"  both star Vincent Price.  The original film deals with a scientist trying to transfer matter.  Unfortunately, a housefly joins him in one of his experiments, causing parts of each to transfer to the other.  A great scene features the scientist sucking down sugar, while hiding his "fly" head from his wife!  As silly as it seems, there's real craftsmanship taking place in this film.  The sets, music and cast are all excellent!  The 4.0 sound mix is superior to the recent Dolby Digital laserdisc with greater frequency range.  While most separation is focused in the front, there are some excellent rear effects as well.  The 16:9 enhanced transfer offers an excellent image, with accurate fleshtones and great contrast.  There are no scratches or artifacts anywhere!  The 2nd feature, "THE RETURN OF THE FLY" centers on,...that's right,...the son of the scientist from the first film.  This one has less originality than the first, with the scientist focusing more on revenge, etc.  But, it's still great fun.  The black and white cinematography is crisp, with solid blacks and grays.  There are some contrast problems, but minimal.  The stereo sound mix is subdued, but offers some fun moments just the same.

This critic thinks David Cronenberg is extremely overrated to begin with, so, with that being said, "THE FLY" (remake) is not the sci-fi masterpiece critics claim it to be!  Still, it's entertaining, and while its ending lacks originality, it's fun getting there.  Basically the same premise as the earlier film, with sharper looking effects!  Jeff Goldblum is well cast as the nerd-turned human-fly after an experiment gone awry.  There's a beautiful woman and jealous suitor that are thrown into the mix, and the pacing's far better than in any of Cronenberg's other films.  The 1.85:1 transfer has been enhanced for 16:9 tv, offering exceptional definition!  It really demonstrates how grand the production design is in this film.  Colors are extremely solid, and there are no artifacts anywhere!  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is exceptional, offering a multitude of directional effects.  The LFE channel makes great use of bass for some pivotal moments!  Fans of the film won't be disappointed, and new viewers will be certain to revisit this one again just for the sound mix alone!  "THE FLY 2" is a disappointment!  Especially with such writers attached as the great Frank Darabont!  Eric Stoltz stars as the offspring of a human-fly experiment under close watch at a high tech facility.  While issues are raised about ethics, it's just subterfuge while the special effects extravaganza is prepared in the background.  The film's director, Chris Walas, is a well-regarded make-up effects man in Hollywood, and this area doesn't dissapoint.  There are plenty of high-tech effects.  The 1.85:1 16:9 enhanced image is perfectly preserved here!  There's great definition in every scene, and no artifacts!  Colors are solid, fleshtones are perfect!  The dolby digital 5.1  sound mix is extremely active, offering many rear speaker directional effects as well as some elaborate LFE moments!