First Blood [Ultimate Edition] [DVD] [1982]

John Rambo is back for the forth time on DVD with this Ultimate Edition of First Blood from Lion's Gate Home Entertainment. What's special about this release is not just the newly added audio commentary from Stallone himself; the disc's producer's have also finally unearthed the never-before-seen alternate suicide ending -- a virtual Holy Grail of film footage long talked about, but rarely seen. Add onto that an outtake and yet another bonus flashback featuring a steamy sex scene (yes, you heard it right), and suddenly this reissue becomes worth the buy. However packed those extras might be, though, that doesn't seem to be enough for the Ultimate Edition. In probably one of the most overblown bonuses since the Blair Witch 2's "The Secret of Esrever" DVD feature, First Blood and both of its sequels have been graced with a "Survival Mode" feature that is every bit as worthless as it sounds. Using branching technology, the disc's producers have outfitted the DVD to give the viewer access to special character information, map recreations, and some rather ridiculous animations that serve no purpose other than to just be "flashy." The fact that they have chosen a name like "Survival Mode" to represent all of these features is fitting, since watching the film like this really is like a game of endurance for people with very little time on their hands. Other than the uneven group of bonus features, the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture looks stunning, with deep contrasts that enhance the gloom of the film, while the 5.1 Dolby Digital audio sports a exemplary mix that pulls you into the action yet still manages to handle the outdoor setting in a natural and absorbing way. As far as the commentary goes, Stallone delivers a fun track that borders on being a little too Inside the Actors Studio at times, but which is full of insight into the scripting and especially the casting (keep your ear open for the Kirk Douglas story). The alternate ending is faulted only because it lived on as a film legend for so long, which says nothing about its quality -- though it is actually quite short. When all is said and done, the disc is worth purchasing for first-time buyers of the series and for hardcore fans who salivate at the thought of the new extras. This DVD is also available in a three-disc Collector's Set of all three Ultimate Edition discs of this blockbuster series.