I set aside everything I was doing when I received this for the simple fact that in spite of being a triple dip, in spite of being a cash grab for fans, in spite of marketing on our anticipation for “The Dark Knight,” this is a marvelous boxed set. Absolutely marvelous. And mind you, I’m a person who hates re-releases and avidly avoids them at every turn. I don’t care how many new features are on a re-release, I’ll avoid it if I’m set with my current DVD purchase. The Limited Edition Gift Set is fantastic, and I think I would love to see this for “Superman Returns” eventually.
For folks who haven’t purchased “Batman Begins” yet, this Gift Set is available in the bulky box set for DVD, or the more squeezed in Blu-Ray version. There’s a sweet Batman hologram on the cover but the box is impossible to open which sucks when you’re trying to keep the integrity of the box for the display.
Digging inside, here is what’s included for the Batgeeks:
Batman Begins: Two-Disc Deluxe Edition
This is a simply just a repackaged DVD of the original release without the box slip. I looked in to the DVD and it’s really the original content with the bells and whistles from the initial edition without anything about “The Dark Knight” in it, which means they just stuffed extra DVD’s in this without trying too hard. “Batman Begins” is still a great movie with one of the best depictions of the Dark Knight I’ve seen on screen outside of animation.
Watching it again, “Batman Begins” garners a brilliant cast with a powerful storyline topped off by a great segue in to the sequel with the Joker’s card. I remember the audience in the theater cheering when the Dark Knight first mutters “I’m Batman.” Only Christian Bale can elicit a reaction from an otherwise apathetic movie audience!
But they make up for this repackaging with some extras that are… quite incredible.
There’s a 122MB flash drive featuring various large stills from “The Dark Knight” with photos from the set, action shots, all of the posters, and a cryptic road sign leading to a Mansion with a phone number. I don’t know if it’s a viral or not, but it was quite peculiar. There’s also a movie ticket to see “The Dark Knight” that has a value of 7.50, which leaves only thirty bucks for you to pull from your own wallet. It’s a fun little goodie that explains why this Gift Set is Limited Edition.
There’s a fold out Post Card set for “Batman Begins” which is quite nice to show off if only because the art is dazzling.
There’s also an extra DVD “Sneak Peak” at “The Dark Knight” which allows you a two minute look at the movie with a finishing scene that features a very under wraps rogue.
“Dent? I thought you were dead.”
“Half.”
Goddamn, I nearly creamed my pants!
This is an excellent set that’s mainly based around finding hidden jewels about “The Dark Knight.” It’s a good thing this is Limited Edition because it won’t be as exciting after the release of the upcoming sequel, but for now it’s a great grab bag for people who genuinely enjoyed the movies and want more before the impending sequel.