Pulp Fiction: Collector's Edition
December 2002 Reviewed by: Doug Schneider Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

The nonlinear storytelling, violence mixed with humor, and passionate use of dialogue have been discussed endlessly since Pulp Fiction’s original 1994 theatrical release. Some praised it as one of the most original and best-made films of all time; others criticized it by pointing out that various aspects of the film had been "lifted" from countless other movies. Whatever the case, it is impossible not to recognize Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction as a work of ferocious intensity that inspired numerous films that followed.

But forget the filmmaking for a moment and think about the performances. Today it’s easy to overlook the fact that in the early ‘90s John Travolta’s career was going nowhere. He was doing Look Who’s Talking films without a hope in sight. Bruce Willis was not at the bottom with Travolta, but was certainly heading that way. Pulp Fiction jump-started their careers. For an actor like Samuel Jackson -- whose career was going up, up, up -- Pulp Fiction helped solidify his star status. Then there’s Tarantino; this was only his second time directing. ‘Nuff said.

Pulp Fiction is a remarkable film in many ways, and certainly one deserving first-rate DVD treatment. The original Pulp DVD, released in 1998, was essentially the laserdisc release transferred to DVD. I guess we can forgive ‘em because it was released just after the dawn of the new format. There were a few special features -- deleted scenes and such -- but for a film of this stature, the release essentially amounted to squat. Serious enthusiasts were given nothing new, except for the fact that the DVD was far more compact and less expensive than the big, unwieldy laserdisc. This double-disc 2002 release, in its foldout cardboard package, has fixed all that.

Some people will buy this release for its slightly better video and sound quality, although neither picture nor sound can be considered reference grade. That’s not a fault of the DVD as much as a limitation of the original source. Most will want to buy it for the ample supply of extras, mainly contained on the second disc.

Forget the idea of just a theatrical trailer or two as an extra -- here you get trailers from around the world. Then you get the material on the countless accolades the film received, plus interviews, commentary from TV shows, you name it. And if you want all the background on Tarantino and how this movie came about, there’s the background documentary, Pulp Fiction: The Facts. It is all certainly interesting fare for an enthusiast like me. DVD-ROM features are also included, and there’s one additional extra that stuck out for me -- a feature called "Soundtrack Chapters." Pulp Fiction has a remarkable music soundtrack. These special chapter stops allow you to scan through the movie by selecting your favorite songs.

Is Pulp Fiction the masterpiece some purport it to be? This DVD release doesn’t shy away from that question. Critics Roger Ebert and the late Gene Siskel tackled it in their TV show Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, in a segment called "The Tarantino Generation" -- and that’s included here. They explore all aspects of the film -- including Tarantino’s fast rise to prominence. Whether they feel it is a masterpiece is not clearly answered, but they do like the film and, more importantly, feel it worthy enough to devote an entire half-hour of their show to it.

Ask me and I’ll tell you flat out that Pulp Fiction is one of the best films of all time. Which actor’s career rose because of it, and whether Tarantino lifted this or that from wherever is irrelevant to me. The end result -- what’s laid on film and presented to the audience -- is what counts. I can watch Pulp Fiction over and over again and get as excited as I did the first time I saw it. This DVD, chock full of extras that allow enthusiasts like me to enjoy it better, is a no-brainer for my collection.

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