Ridley Scott isn't exactly a minimalist when it comes to putting his films on DVDs. Last December, a collector's edition of his "Blade Runner" was released, delivering no fewer than four versions of the sci-fi classic. The director's most recent project, "American Gangster," follows a similar pattern, arriving today in a two-disc extended edition ($19.98) that includes the original theatrical release, already at a hefty running time of two hours and 38 minutes, and a longer version with 19 more minutes of movie added. (If that's not enough, another version with three discs worth of material also releases today.)
Add in some sizeable extras, including a one-hour-and-18-minute documentary that covers the making of this story of drug mogul Frank Lucas's rise and fall, and one starts to wonder who has the appetite to digest so much Denzel Washington. Allow me to simplify. Here is what's worth watching: The original version of "Gangster" -- which earned two Academy Award nominations, including one for steely supporting actress Ruby Dee -- and "Fallen Empire: The Making of 'American Gangster'," which follows the film from conception to its shoot on the streets of New York and Thailand to the editing room.
Now here is what you can skip: The mostly drowsy commentary track by Scott and screenwriter Steve Zaillian; the mildly interesting "Case File" featurettes; and the extended edition of the film. Ironically, it may be very easy for some viewers to bypass that last item; a note on the DVD menu says that the extended version "may affect playability on some DVD models." I had no problem watching it on mine, but if the alternate cut of "Gangster" -- the central selling point of this DVD -- can't be viewed on some players, that strikes me as not only a major misstep by Universal, but an outright ripoff. Of course, if you miss it, you won't miss much. The most notable portion of those added minutes is the longer ending, which emphasizes the friendship that ultimately developed between Lucas and the cop who caught him, Richie Roberts.
While the features provide a lot of detail about how the film was made, they spend only a brief amount of time describing some of the messier subplots surrounding the picture's genesis. Producer Brian Grazer does note that Antoine Fuqua had been slated to direct, but does not mention that the "Training Day" director departed due to "creative differences." And no one addresses the criticism that some of what we see onscreen is not true. As a matter of fact, Scott and his crew assert that everything was carefully researched, a notion that directly contradicts a judge's ruling in a recent lawsuit. Several Drug Enforcement Administration officials sued Universal for $55 million, claiming that "Gangster" had ruined their reputations by presenting falsehoods as truth, including a note at the end of the film that says Lucas's cooperation with police led to the conviction of three-quarters of New York City's DEA. Just last week, a judge tossed out the suit, but noted that the "'legend' that appears onscreen at the end of the film is wholly inaccurate." For a DVD overflowing with so much content, you'd think someone might have taken a minute or two to clarify.
Most Bizarre Bonus Point: During the portion of "Fallen Empire" that focuses on the recreation of a Muhammad Ali/Joe Frazier fight at Madison Square Garden, Joe Biggins, owner of a company called Inflatable Crowd Co., explains how and his crew set up 1500 mannequins to appear in the audience shots. It's a funny little detail, and one that may make viewers look more closely the next time they watch that pivotal scene.
More Oscar-related fare arriving on DVD today: Warner Bros.' "Michael Clayton," which has earned multiple nominations, including one for Best Picture, and "In the Valley of Elah," which scored a Best Actor nod for Tommy Lee Jones.
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It's a bad boys bonanza: The Post's Amy Joyce has the 411 on the "Cops: 20th Anniversary Edition" DVD.
Media Mix serves up snappy takes on the latest DVDs, CDs and more.
Nicole Kidman didn't garner much award buzz for her performance in "Margot at the Wedding," out today. But her fierce commitment to neurotic mothering is worth witnessing. For more options, check out this full list of today's DVD debuts.
Wes Anderson once again takes the quirky route in "The Darjeeling Limited," on DVD next Tuesday. For a full calendar of what's coming to DVD in the weeks ahead, click here.
Releases worth marking on the calendar:
PHOTOS: 'American Gangster' -- Universal/'Margot at the Wedding' -- Paramount Vantage
