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Every angle of the action movie "Speed" is covered in this comprehensive two-disc DVD release.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Picture The transfer of the movie to disc is excellent, with it now looking every bit as fresh as a new feature.

Sound The film comes with a choice of either Dolby or DTS 5.1 mixes, and both are sensational at generating extra excitement for an already thrilling experience.

SPECIAL FEATURES (Disc One)

Audio Commentary One Jan De Bont admits to worrying over this being his first directorial project, although not perhaps as much as when he got trapped in an elevator and had to climb out the car and jump onto the neighbouring car to get out! From there came the inspiration behind the opening lift shaft scene.

Commentary track Two Writer Graham Yost and producer Mark Gordon get together for what must rank as one of the most annoying commentaries ever to hit DVD. Both spend so much time cutting in on each other's comments that very little gets properly explained. While both admit to loving "Runaway Train" the rest of their quips work on the lines of, "Wow, isn't that a great shot!" or "I love this moment!". Yeah, whatever.

Special Features (Disc Two)

Action Sequences In this section of the DVD the major action sequences of the film are dissected in two straight-forward behind-the-scenes featurettes, four storyboard-to-finished-shot comparisons, and four multi-angle scenes. Of the multi-angle footage the bus jump is the most interesting with eight amazing camera angles to switch between. The storyboard comparisons are fairly routine except for one scene which wasn't shot even though De Bont begged Fox to let him do it. In it, a cop is dropped from a helicopter onto the bus only to see an overhead bridge coming up. We won't spoil what happens, but there is a truck laden with plate glass involved!

Inside Speed There are three featurettes to be found here, one of location footage, another where we see the stunts being planned (with toy cars!), and a visual effects showcase. There aren't any major surprises to be found here except that the actual driver of the bus was mounted on the roof. There's also an interesting look at how CGI effects were cleverly blended in with model work for a more realistic look.

Additional Extra Features Included on disc two is an interview archive with the cast and crew, five extended scenes, 18 image galleries, a look at the screenplay, production design and press kit, an HBO 'First Look' featurette, a Billy Idol music video, and trailers and TV spots.

Easter Egg *SPOILER* Move the arrow cursor right on the main menu of disc two, and you'll see a monorail highlighted. Select it, and you'll see an alternate end created for airline audiences. If you remember, the original involves the bus crashing into a cargo plane. Just wait until you see what it's supposed to crash into instead - there's no way the explosion would have been that big!

Region: 2
Chapters: 24
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, multiple language and subtitles, and English captions for the Hearing Impaired

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.