THE KEVIN SMITH COLLECTION BLU-RAY REVIEW

Kevin Smith was one of the pioneers of 90's cinema. His low budget, lowbrow comedies paved the way for a lot of what we are seeing today. Plus, he was also one of the first, if not the first, filmmaker to use the internet to build a fanbase.

I first saw his film CLERKS when it was on the film festival circuit. Even though I may not have been the biggest fan of the film (I liked it, but found some of the dialogue too extreme for my tastes), I would visit his website almost daily. In those early days of the web, before blogging took off, he did a great job of making himself open to fans, and keeping them updated about his future works.

Miramax is now releasing his three best films in a Blu-Ray set.

Smith is one of the most rereleased directors on DVD. His films are always such popular sellers that they have been released multiple times on DVD. I've owned many of his films on laserdisc and then on sometimes two different DVD versions.

Will this be the final time time we see them on Blu-Ray? We will see. But, as Smith says on one of the extras, at least his films aren't being released as often as TERMINATOR 2.


The idea of CLERKS on Blu-Ray sounds like a joke. Shot in black and white on 16mm, the film has never looked good. Now, on Blu-Ray, we can see every bit of grain.

The film gets its charm from the dialogue. I always found Jeff Anderson to be one of the most underrated of performers in Smith's films. He delivers every line in such a way to make it memorable.

The Blu-Ray has two new extras on it. There is a brief four minute introduction along with a new documentary "Oh, What A Lovely Tea Party". This is a ninety minute behind the scenes look at the making of JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK. Made up of interviews with the cast, as well as a day by day look at the filmmaking process, fans should enjoy this.

The rest of the extras are taken from the previous DVDs.

There are the two versions of the film, the theatrical with the original commentary along with the "First Cut", his first version of the film. That version contains the commentary recorded for the rerelease DVD, along with an introduction and trivia track.

There is the animated CLERKS: THE LOST SCENE short, and "The Flying Car" segment shot for THE TONIGHT SHOW.

The MTV Spots with Jay and Silent Bob.

Theatrical Trailer.

"Can't Even Tell" music video by Soul Asylum with Smith intro. - I always loved this song.

There is a bit on the restoration of the film, along with an aborted student film by Smith.

"The Snowball Effect" documentary and "10th Anniversary Q&A" also appear.



CHASING AMY is Kevin Smith's masterpiece.

The boy falls for lesbian comedy was one of the films I watched the most in the 90's. I used to have the Criterion laserdisc and watched it probably more than any other laserdisc in my collection.

Watching the Blu-Ray, the first time since laserdisc (I never did get around to watching it on DVD even though I have it), I'll go so far as to say this is one of my favorite films of the 1990's.

And I write that even though I have always had MAJOR problems with a couple moments. Yes, that final talk always lost me.

This is the film that proved that Ben Affleck could be a leading man. It made many people Jason Lee fans long before MY NAME IS EARL. And Joey Lauren Adams is wonderful. The film also reminds you of the days when smoking and goatees were cool.

New to the Blu-Ray is an all new commentary with Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier. Gone is their commentary with the opening anti-DVD remark taken from the Criterion laserdisc that remained on previous DVD versions. As a big laserdisc fan, I always loved that line. But, DVDs have taken over and it is time to move on.

Also new are TRACING AMY: THE CHASING AMY DOC. This is a very good 80 minute documentary on the making of the film. As much as I read about the film over the years, there is information here that I either forget or was new to me.

WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID - In this twenty minute feature Kevin and Joey Lauren Adams talk about the film. Much of what they say is covered in the doc, but it is good to see the two talking about it together.

10 YEARS LATER Q&A - A thirty minute extra where Kevin and the cast talk about the film after a screening.

The rest of the extras, deleted scenes, outtakes, and a trailer are all from the previous DVD releases.


JAY AND SILENT BOB is a film made pretty much only for those people who love his films and hang out at Smith's website. And if you were one of them, and understand the "magnoliafan" reference, you probably loved it.

The film still holds up. The finale, set on the Miramax lot and filled with cameos is still a lot of fun.

Of all the films, this is the only one that hasn't been upgraded for the set. The Blu-Ray is the same that was released in 2006. The only extra is an audio commentary.

Surprisingly, none of the extras from the 2 DVD set, that was filled with deleted scenes and music videos, are included here.

SHOULD I BUY THEM?

Kevin Smith films are not for everyone. Yet, if you are a fan, and don't mind upgrading once again to the new versions, you are sure to be happy with the set. CHASING AMY is especially worth upgrading.

THE KEVIN SMITH COLLECTION will be available on Blu-Ray on November 17, 2009 from Miramax Home Video. The films are also available individually.