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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Argento's neglected masterpiece finds a home on DVD, January 22, 2000
Anchor Bay's code-free edition of Dario Argento's PHENOMENA not only restores the film to its original length, it also reveals the method in Argento's madness. Whereas the edited version (CREEPERS) was a fast-moving collage of half-baked themes which evoked nothing of any significance, PHENOMENA reinstates the crazy-quilt pacing, whereby dream-like passages surrender abruptly to episodes of screaming hysteria, all of which is essential to any appreciation of the film's dark ambitions. Romano Albani's sumptuous cinematography transforms the breathtaking Swiss locations into a fairy-tale landscape where monstrous eruptions of violence disturb the illusion of tranquility, and Jennifer Connelly drifts through the narrative in a state of near-hypnotic grace, allowing herself to become ensnared by the machinations of a deformed killer and his/her equally psychotic 'guardian'. True, the longer version is bogged down at times by lengthy dialogue scenes which hold up the plot, and the involvement of Donald Pleasence's chimp is no less misguided than before (its final act of retribution crosses the line into absurdity), but the set-pieces are magnificently realised, and the final 20 minutes are as hair-raising as anything in Argento's ouevre. Restored to its original cinematic glory, this outstanding DVD is 28 minutes longer than CREEPERS, and the sound and picture quality is truly exceptional. Though listed by most reference sources as a scope production (due perhaps to the confusing on-screen credit "Filmed in Panavision"), the film appears to have been photographed at 1.66:1 (but WHY! ), and that's how it appears on Anchor Bay's non-anamorphic DVD. Elsewhere, there's a trailer, a somewhat lacklustre audio commentary by the director and his collaborators, a couple of music videos, footage from Luigi Cozzi's documentary feature "Dario Argento Master of Horror" (1991), and a brief interview with Argento that was recorded for US TV in 1985.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Argentos` best !, May 3, 2001
Dario Argento throws in all his trademarks in this horror/fantasy extravaganza.A plain crime story mixed with dream sequences, gore, state of the art camerawork, maggots, fireflies, broken glass, running water, beautiful young girls and a brilliant soundtrack. You name it, it`s all here ! Argento has made a lot of mediocre movies the recent years, but this 1984 movie is a true classic. The film is presented in 1.66:1 with a DD 5.1 soundtrack. Both picture and sound is good, but nothing spesial.Anchor bay has also thrown in some extras, but nothing very interesting in my opinion. There is a dull commentary with Argento and three of his collaborators in very broken english, a trailer, two music videos,a lousy behind the scenes segment, and a ridiculous Argento interview from a Joe Franklin show. And don`t be fooled to believe that the 28 minutes that is restored in this UNCUT and UNCENSORED version is gore.It is simply the full european version, and all 28 minutes are plain story and character building.No doubt that this cut is much better than the "Creepers" cut, though. It is the feature itself that makes this disc a must-have.They simply don`t make movies like this anymore ! (Neither does Argento, unfortunately !) Now I can hardly wait for Anchor Bay to release "Opera" and " Suspiria."
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Double your terror, November 22, 2001
Phenomena hooked me right away, even the momentary twinge I felt when the monkey made its appearance (I hate monkeys, especially monkeys in "horror" movies) was short lived; this monkey is actually a device to move the plot along and never overstayed its welcome. The tension continues to build up, right up to the end, which was a nice surprise. Many elements from prior Argento films make appearances here and everything just works.Inferno is the third and final chapter of the Deep Red trilogy and the second and, so far, final chapter in the proposed Three Mothers trilogy. Inferno suffers from the "Jan Brady" syndrome. She is beautiful and accomplished in her own right, but she follows an even more beautiful and equally accomplished sister. It is easy to be so dazzled by Suspiria that Inferno is obscured in her shadow. But upon a second viewing, the scales fall and the ears become unplugged and Inferno proves to be her sisters equal. Its simply that Suspiria is a fairy-tale whereas Inferno is a symphony. Phenomena includes a trailer, a couple of music videos, the first of which is absolutely mesmerizing, and an interview. Inferno includes an introduction by Dario Argento, that unfortunately comes off as an apology, a trailer, and an interview segment. This gift set, in fact, all three volumes of the Dario Argento collection, represent a tremendous value. Just compare the price of buying these two DVD's separately. This is now the DVD's golden age. Enjoy it while it lasts.
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