While “JACKIE BROWN” was critically successful, it didn’t achieve the box-office success as its predecessor, “PULP FICTION.”  As is the case with the director of any sensational debut film, audiences wanted and expected “JACKIE BROWN” to be a lot like “PULP FICTION”.  It ended up being a very different film, in terms of pacing, narrative structure, and overall atmosphere.  What is similar about the two films lies in their unique and unpredictable vision.  They’re both refreshing standouts in a world built around the quick soundbites of “ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT” fanfare. 

Just as Tarantino was responsible for reviving Travolta’s career, he has chosen to resurrect Pam Grier’s career by casting her in the lead role.  Grier has aged well, and her performance here is outstanding.  She’s entirely believable in every instance, and she reveals an acting range that couldn’t be understood in her earlier exploitation films.  Tarantino, however, did recognize as such, and deserves credit for bringing her to the screen in a vehicle she’s perfect for.  Samuel L. Jackson plays a really bad guy, drug dealer, gun runner, Ordell Roberts.  In the film’s opening, he’s bailed someone out of jail, just to kill him, to be assured of his silence.  Soon afterwards, he’s up to even more dastardly plans as he tries to use an airline stewardess, Jackie, to get him out of a bad bind he’s in.  Based on an Elmore Leonard novel, “RUM PUNCH”, there are layers upon layers to every double-cross scenario taking place throughout the film.  Tarantino provides a stellar supporting cast, trying to revive the career of another overlooked actor, Robert Forster, as the bail bondsman whom falls in love with Jackie.  Bridget Fonda and Robert De Niro also give spectacular performances as one of the funniest mismatched pairs in film history. 

BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT has released this film with its proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement. This is a slick looking transfer!  From the opening sequence to the final scene, colors are extremely vibrant, and there’s terrific depth.  Contrast is flawless, with some of the deepest blacks and grays we’ve ever seen. Fleshtones appear natural throughout.   

BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT has gratefully chosen to release this film with Dolby Digital 5.1 “and” DTS 5.1!  While the DTS laserdisc was decent, it didn’t convey much difference in range from the DOLBY DIGITAL version.  This DTS release is a huge improvement over both versions found on the laserdisc. While this isn’t an overly aggressive soundmix, the ambient atmosphere is crucial to the film’s tone, and the rear speakers come to life effectively at just the right moments.  The sensational score is boosted even further, and the dialogue, so intelligent, and crucial to the film’s plot, is always sharp.  The LFE track is also utilized with great impact here.  The DTS mix offers better bass than the dolby digital mix, as well as better clarity in terms of effects. 

This special edition features Tarantino in the introduction on the first disc, as well as before most of the special edition’s supplementary segments. 

The 2^nd disc of this 2-disc set, offers “JACKIE BROWN: HOW IT WENT DOWN”, a lengthy featurette, almost an hour, made up of interviews, and other production information. 

There’s an additional section of deleted scenes, aptly titled “alternate and deleted scenes.”  This offer 3 previously unseen sequences, an extended sequence, an alternate musical sequence and a terrific alternate opening sequence.  The aspect ratio is correct, but without 16:9 enhancement.  Perhaps the best supplement here, “CHICKS WHO LIKE GUNS”, is the complete commercial, featured briefly in the background of the film, with De Niro watching it.  

There are over 200 stills in the still galleries section, and for a change, they’re worth viewing!   Add theatrical teasers, television commercials, radio spots, and a clip from “Siskel and Ebert at the Movies” lauding the film, and more, and you’ve got a terrific special edition, worth having in any collection.