"FAIL SAFE" is undoubtedly one of Director Sidney Lumet's best films.  It has and will continue to stand the test of time, making it part of that rare breed, ... a "classic".

Lumet uses startling imagery here.  A visually arresting nightmare involving a bullfight is plaguing one of the main players at the beginning, and we realize his nightmares are with good cause!  After the slow, but deliberately paced opening, viewers are brought to the edge of their seats after realizing that a "feasible" series of mistakes have caused  American Bombers to begin their "launch" against the Russians.  Unfortunately, after they've reached the "fail-safe" point, they won't be able to return, and must continue on with their mission.  They're loaded with nuclear weapons!  While it's obvious technology has changed a great deal since 1964, it's still easy to replace nuclear missile mistakes, launch code scenarios with the bombers, making the story still resonate!  To give away any more would hurt the film, but the most horrible scenario unfolds, only to give way to an even more horrible scenario.  This is a monumental film!  The cast is outstanding.  A young Larry Hagman makes an impressive debut, but it's Henry Fonda as the President and Fritz Weaver that steal the show.  This is a film that viewers will want to see again and again!

The transfer from COLUMBIA TRISTAR, is in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement!  This is a black and white film, and the contrast is both striking and impressive.  There are deep blacks and grays in even the darkest scenes.  There are no artifacts. The monaural sound is fine, with clearly intelligible dialogue.  There is no musical soundtrack, making this a more realistic film in many ways.

Thankfully, COLUMBIA TRISTAR has included a terrific running commentary with the films' director.  Lumet provides great insight into his style of directing to achieve great performances. But, he also lends great insight into events unfolding at the time of the film's release, including a lawsuit brought by Stanley Kubrick, and immense problems with the military trying to thwart his production.

There is also a featurette, used to promote the new cable remake of the film, interviewing its star and his reasoning in remaking this classic!

Director Amy Heckerling is back with the sequel to her surprisingly funny "LOOK WHO'S TALKING", this time called, "LOOK WHO'S TALKING TOO".  This time out, baby Mikey's growing up(but not too quick) and his voice still remains with Bruce Willis.  Things get funnier when Mikey has to adapt to having a new baby sister, voiced by Roseanne Barr.  The interplay between these two is adorable, of course, and Heckerling has captured some really funny improvizational(we think) moments!  The plot is pretty thin, but Travolta is terrific, and it's the world of childhood that made this and the last film so entertaining for the entire family in the first place!  Director Heckerling actually has a good eye too, remember the visually arresting imagery of Pheobe Cates stepping out of the pool to "Cars" music in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"? Well, in "LOOK WHO'S TALKING TOO", her images are slick and arresting too.

The COLUMBIA TRISTAR transfer compliments her compositions beautifully with a slick, well polished image.  There is some minor artifacting, however colors are solid.  Fleshtones appear natural throughout, and there's great resolution. 

The dolby surround sound mix isn't extremely active, although the musical selections help bring it to life.

There are no real supplements, unfortunately.  We wish Heckerling had provided a commentary or deleted scenes, but maybe there's a special edition of the first film in the series to look forward to in the near future.(WISHFUL THINKING?)