James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 4 DVD Credits:

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James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 4 DVD Release Date: 12th December 2006

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James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 4 DVD Review:

James Bond Ultimate Edition: Volume 4

Although all of the James Bond films to date are included in one of the four volumes of Ultimate Edition Bond, they made the interesting choice not to include the films in chronological order. This way in order to get all of the best films you must buy all of the four sets. Fans of Sean Connery will find themselves facing the dilemma of buying a package that could include a Timothy Dalton Bond or Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist (fortunately neither are in this particular set). This method might be irritating if the packages weren’t so fantastic otherwise. Although each package is bound to have at least one sub-par Bond film, any collector will want all four volumes anyways. And who knows how they will be future packages will be released to include the films to come. Each of the films come in two-disc Ultimate Edition, which also includes booklets for each of the films with additional artwork and some great bits of information about each of the films individually. The films are set in slim disc and into a sleek cardboard case.

Dr. No (1962)
Ironically it is the last volume of James Bond films that contains the very first film in the series, which contains many memorable moments including Ursula Andress scantily clad. Although the first film was made on an extremely modest budget and doesn’t have all of the extravagance that is added to the series as it continues, Andress may be the best Bond girl, even after twenty or so attempts to match her. She set the standards for Bond’s counterpart just as Connery set the standards for the spy in this great first effort that as him in Jamaica battling a scientific genius who is trying to destroy the US space program from his own personal island. The DVD has a new featurette about the restoration process for the film as well as one on the guns of James Bond. There are also many old special features including a commentary track with director Terence Young and select members of the crew.

You Only Live Twice (1967)
During the production of this film Sean Connery made the announcement that he would retire from the role after this film, which some would argue is one of the best Bond films. Despite one of the most ridiculous science fiction influenced plots, there is plenty of action and suspense when Bond travels to Japan to stop the SPECTRE organization from instigating World War III. The hollowed out volcano as a bad-guy lair is a memorable moment. The DVD has an audio commentary by director Lewis Gilbert and a featurette on shooting in Japan, but the highlight of this DVD is the featurette about the expected Bond title sequences. This title sequence was done by Nancy Sinatra.

Moonraker (1979)
Bond never did that well when trying to compete with the latest trends, and this Bond film was an attempt to compete with the space craze that came about with Star Wars. James Bond in space is silly, but it still has its moments to enjoy. He travels from space to Venice and even Rio de Janeiro in this elaborate plot in which Bond and NASA scientist (Lois Chiles) must stop a madman from destroying all life on earth. There are tons of gadgets, a memorable return of the killer henchman Jaws, and plenty of camp to keep the film moving along. Not a classic, but still bearably entertaining. The DVD has yet another new commentary track by Roger Moore as well as a number of new features including storyboards, test footage, and other featurettes obviously focused on the stunts. There is also the commentary track with director Lewis Gilbert from the previous release on DVD.

Octopussy (1983)
Each volume must contain at least one bad Bond film, and this particular one is certainly the worst in the set, literally putting Bond in a clown costume as a disguise in one scene. If this doesn’t strike you as a sad fate for the spy then the action and gadgets might win you over as Bond investigates the death of a fellow agent with jet chases and the threat of nuclear disaster all rolled up into the film. This DVD also has a Roger Moore commentary track, as well as a commentary by John Glen, an unfortunate director of the mess. There are also a number of featurettes about the unbelievable stunts, including the airplane crash. A James Brolin screen test is also included.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
In a sad lack of originality, the villain in this Brosnan Bond film is attempting to start World War III. This time it is attempted so that newspaper revenues will increase. Teri Hatcher is a nice addition to the film, but she doesn’t last as long as many would expect. There are plenty of gadgets and stunts, but it is obvious that the film series was starting to go sour at this point. The explosive action sequences begin to drag out to the point that they become dell. There are new deleted and expanded scenes on this DVD a well as the James Bond theme remixed by Moby. There are also the same special features from the special edition, including an audio commentary featuring Vic Armstrong and Michael G. Wilson, and a separate track with director Roger Spottiswoode and Dan Petrie Jr. Sheryl Crowe’s music video is also included.

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James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 4 DVD review written by: Ryan Izay