Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection (Paramount, $59.98) — Paramount is out with a box set of all three movies starring filmdom’s most famous archaeologist, just in time for Thursday’s much-anticipated release of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” … well, sort of. The fact is, all three were released in a box set five years ago. Yet to capitalize on the opening of what’s likely to be one of the summer’s biggest movies, Paramount is rereleasing the set. It’s not quite as sneaky as it sounds: This set has all-new extras.
Each film — 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” 1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” — features new introductions by creator George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg. They recall how, while relaxing in Hawaii, Mr. Spielberg mentioned that he had always wanted to direct a James Bond film that moved around the world. Mr. Lucas said he had an idea about an archaeologist who trotted the globe. “Raiders” soon was born.
There are plenty of other new interviews. “The Women: The American Film Institute Tribute” has the leading ladies from all three films — Karen Allen, Kate Capshaw and Alison Doody — sit down for a chat about the impact of the “Jones” franchise. Miss Capshaw met her future husband, Mr. Spielberg, while filming “Temple of Doom.” Miss Allen reprises her role as the feisty Marion Ravenwood in “Crystal Skull” — though it’s certain Cate Blanchett, a new addition, will give her a run for her money.
There are a host of making-of features, too. “The Melting Face” re-creates that visual effect from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” when the ark is opened and Arnold Toht’s face melts. Mr. Spielberg and Mr. Lucas also talk about how much has changed in the world of special effects and computer-generated imagery since then. Some of the featurettes even come with optional trivia tracks.
Despite the wealth of special features on this new set, some fans are still complaining. Many prefer the two-hour making-of documentary that came with the original set.
One more thing: For the first time, you can buy each film separately, outside the box set. They retail for $26.98 to $29.99. As the anticipation swirling around the new film proves, though, it’s hard to imagine joining Indy for just three adventures — let alone one.
The Tom Selleck Western Collection (Warner Home Video, $19.97) — Had he not been cast as Indiana Jones, just one of his iconic roles in a trilogy, Harrison Ford might have been known just as “Star Wars’ ” Han Solo. Tom Selleck was first cast as the archaeologist, but his commitments to “Magnum, P.I.” — which became his signature role — kept him from filming. (He did get to parody the Jones character in an amusing episode of “Magnum.”)
Fans of the mustachioed macho man, however, will want to pick up this DVD set (with Mr. Selleck in the Western genre), which includes three films for less than $20. All three are based on novels: 2001’s “Crossfire Trail” is from a novel by classic Western author Louis L’Amour, 1997’s “Last Stand at Saber River” is from one by Elmore Leonard and 2003’s “Monte Walsh” is from one by “Shane” novelist Jack Schaefer.
The New Maverick (Warner Home Video, $14.97) — Although Father’s Day is a month away, this edition of Media Room is filled with items that would interest dear old dad (or the other men in your life). James Garner, one of TV’s most memorable figures for more than four decades, was hospitalized Monday after suffering a minor stroke last week. You can see him reprise the role that made him famous in this made-for-TV movie. Mr. Garner returns with Jack Kelly to play brothers Bret and Bart Maverick, introduced in the TV series “Maverick” in 1957. These fellas from the Old West teach their cousin’s young son the tricks of the trade in this 1978 film.
Kelly Jane Torrance
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets (Buena Vista, $34.99) — Even the splendor of high definition can’t cover up Nicolas Cage’s underwhelming performance as artifact hunter and cryptologist Benjamin Franklin Gates in this bland sequel.
However, the greatest riddle, definitely not solved in the movie, is why one would want to own 125 minutes’ worth of Blu-ray mediocrity? Fortunately, it can be deciphered with a look at the release’s excellent interactive feature.
The long-titled “Book of History: The Fact and Fiction of National Treasure 2” combines an educational resource with a trivia quiz. When activated, an ornate frame over the movie offers an icon in each corner of the screen labeled Desk of the President, History Maker, Chronology and Archives.
The trivia-quiz portion requires that a player click “fact or fiction” for a variety of statements. The challenge even keeps score and can be saved at any time to finish later.
The overall Book of History experience, chock-full of knowledge nuggets, leaves the movie diminished in its wake.
Joe Szadkowski
Please read our comment policy before commenting.