 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition Steven Spielberg's classic film is back now on this never-before-released Ultimate Edition Blu-ray Disc, which includes all three versions of the sci-fi blockbuster. Richard Dreyfuss stars as cable worker Roy Neary, who along with several other stunned bystanders experience a close encounter of the first kind - witnessing UFOs soaring across the sky. After this life-changing event, the inexplicable vision of a strange, mountain-like formation haunts him. He becomes obsessed with discovering what it represents, much to the dismay of his wife and family. Meanwhile, bizarre occurrences are happening around the world. Government agents have close encounters of the second kind - discovering physical evidence of extraterrestrial visitors in the form of a lost fighter aircraft from World War II and a stranded military ship that disappeared decades earlier only to suddenly reappear in unusual places. Roy continues to chase his vision to a remote area where he and the agents follow the clues that have drawn them to reach a site where they will have a close encounter of the third kind - contact. Storyline: Roy Neary sets out to investigate a power outage when his truck stalls and he is bathed in light from above. After this, strange visions and five musical notes keep running through his mind. Will he find the meaning of the visions, and who - or what - placed them in his mind? Written by Colin Tinto Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Ben Williams, November 9, 2007 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind is the very embodiment of a modern film classic. It was hailed as a masterpiece from the day of its theatrical release and continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike. As Steven Spielberg's second major theatrical venture, after the hugely successful Jaws, Mr. Spielberg had a lot to prove with this film. Instead of rehashing his previous work and languishing in familiar territory, Spielberg chose to tell a very personal and intimate story that followed the lives of very different people touched by the experience of coming into contact with unexplainable alien phenomena. This Blu-ray release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a milestone for the format as it marks Mr. Spielberg's first foray into the world of high definition media. It is worth noting that this Blu-ray release has been officially sanctioned by Mr. Spielberg and comes with his indelible stamp of approval. Electrical lineman Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) experiences a close encounter of the first kind as he and may others witness a band of UFOs tearing through the night sky. As Roy tries to go about his everyday life, he is tormented by visions of a strange mountain that he cannot understand. Roy's obsession with the meaning of this haunting vision slowly disintegrates his delicate family life. Concurrently, government agents, scientists and ordinary people from around the globe have similar experiences. Driven by this strange desire to find meaning in their visions, this odd assembly of affected people converge on a desolate site where they unknowingly hope to experience a close encounter of the third kind: contact. One of the truly iconic films of the late seventies, Close Encounters of the Third Kind marks a period in the development of cinema where special effects were included only as a means to further the development of the story. I've always been very fond of the film and have probably seen it in its various incarnations dozens of times, if not more. While those amazing special effects are beautiful to behold, the human drama of the film is what makes it truly magnificent. Each and every character is wonderfully developed and embodies the hopes, desires, emotions and curiosity that exist in all of us. Richard Dreyfuss is perfectly cast as the familiar everyman. Who can't relate to him? He is both sympathetic and selfish as he abandons his family to pursue his obsession. Melinda Dillon (of A Christmas Story fame) is also expertly cast as the frightened mother of a son abducted by aliens. If you've never experienced Close Encounters of the Third Kind, now is the time to do so. There are three versions of the film seamlessly branched on this Blu-ray release. The original theatrical cut (never before released on home video), the Special Edition (created for the theatrical re-release in 1980) and the 1997 Director's cut. Each has its own merits and the folks at Sony have had the foresight to include a fold out map of each version that will allow the viewer to see exactly what the differences are between each cut. Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of Mr. Spielberg's greatest achievements and it is a priceless addition to the Blu-ray catalog. I can't recommend this one enough! Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a landmark film that helped bring the world out of the more personal filmmaking of the seventies and into the more bombastic special effects oriented eighties. Regardless of whether on not you think that's a good thing, this film should be admired for not sacrificing story in favor of visuals. Like Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind manages to be both artistic and personal as well as exciting and technically proficient. It's a rare thing these days to find a film like this - - one that can combine cutting edge special effects with a truly moving story. It's a testament to Close Encounters of the Third Kind's story that it is still enjoyed around the world some thirty years later. For those of you who know and love the film, I'm surely preaching to the choir. For those of you who haven't yet experienced Close Encounters of the Third Kind, take some time, slow things down. Don't expect a hyperkinetic action fest, but look for a more thoughtful film. As the story unfolds, you'll be mesmerized by the riveting series of events. This amazing Blu-ray set is the new standard for special editions in high definition. Picture and audio quality are nothing short of amazing and the supplements are as complete as the possibly could be. I wholeheartedly recommend Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Blu-ray. This is a film that belongs in every collection! [CSW] -4- D-Box 10/10 - D-Box adds greatly to this movie. All of the action parts were appropriate, not too heavy or to light. Cast Notes: Richard Dreyfuss (Roy Neary), François Truffaut (Claude Lacombe), Teri Garr (Ronnie Neary), Melinda Dillon (Jillian Guiler), Bob Balaban (David Laughlin), J. Patrick McNamara (Project Leader), Warren J. Kemmerling (Wild Bill [as Warren Kemmerling]), Roberts Blossom (Farmer), Philip Dodds (Jean Claude), Cary Guffey (Barry Guiler), Shawn Bishop (Brad Neary), Adrienne Campbell (Sylvia Neary), Justin Dreyfuss (Toby Neary), Lance Henriksen (Robert), Merrill Connally (Team Leader). IMDb Rating (08/20/10): 7.8/10 from 58,670 users
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