COLUMBIA TRISTAR has released  "UNIVERSAL SOLDIER:THE RETURN" on dvd, and although it's not exactly a "straight-to-video"release, it may as well have been, as it was just in theaters a few months ago.  It's unfortunate it got such a bad rap.  It's not a very good movie, but it's not nearly as bad as the reviews suggest, and my family found it entertaining, even while many laughs were unintentional.   The beautiful Kiana Tom is on hand(briefly), but more importantly, Jean-Claude VAn Damme is back, and he's pretty good!  The action is virtually non-stop as an ultra-warrior battles Van Damme in one over-the-top scenario after another.

The dvd transfer looks good, although the contrast varies briefly in a few sequences.   The color values are fine, and fleshtones are perfect.  The dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack is filled with directional effects and a score that actually resonates well with the action on screen.  COLUMBIA TRISTAR is offering two entertaining featurettes as well.  "Looking Back, Moving Forward" is basically structured around Van Damme, and serves as a self-homage to the star, with its own sense of humor.  "A Universal Soldier's Workout" is basically a tongue-in-cheek" approach to marketing the film's own hype.

Finally, "The Way We Were" is here!!!  Not only does the film look great, it's got great supplements as well!  Sure the film is schmaltzy, but schmaltzy has seldom looked this good, evidenced by repeated attempts from numerous directors over the years, including Pollack, none of which worked as effectively as this one! Redford and Streisand play the star-crossed lovers amidst the chagning backdrop of war and McCarthyism, and while time may change one's original views of the film's characters, it doesn't alter the effectiveness of Pollack's direction, or the wonderful Marvin Hamlisch soundtrack.  The music, including the hit song, benefit greatly from the newly remastered dolby digital 5.1 soundtrack.  Directional effects, are barely noticeable, but they're not necessary for the film's atmosphere to work.  The dvd transfer looks sharp, with great contrast and color values.  It looks much glossier than on any of the previous laserdisc versions. 

Director Sydney Pollack lends an engaging commentary, and while it feels incomplete without Streisand and Redford on hand, he's got a charisma that adds greatly to it effectiveness.  He's a likeable guy, someone you'd like to sit down and talk with, and it's to our benefit he wants to talk about this film with such candor.   Additionally, there are trailers for "For Pete's Sake"(Unavailable still on dvd) "The Prince of Tides"(COLUMBIA, PLEASE RELEASE THIS ONE SOON IN DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1!!!), The Mirror Has Two Faces(already on dvd) and "The Way We Were".

Directed by Morgan J. Freeman(not the actor), a former winner at Sundance for a film about troubled teens in New York.  In "Desert Blue" we're watching troubled teens in a small(real small) town in the rural outskirts of California.  Nothing much seems to happen here, which is probably why Christina Ricci's character finds excitement in just blowing up practically anything she can.  When a researcher of roadside culture(coincidence???) and his t.v. starlet daughter get accidentally delayed while traveling through town, the various characters with differing life stations meet. There's a little dance between Kate Hudson's character and that of Ricci's dealing with understanding taking place, before both return to their earlier stations.  Many viewers may be turned off by the film's deliberate,reflective pacing.  This reviewer found it innovative and refreshing.

The dvd transfer looks sharp, with the color values appearing extremely vibrant. Contrast is excellent!  The dolby digital 5.1 sound offers some directional effects, but they're used sparingly and effectively.