Major League (Wild Thing Edition) [Blu-ray]

UPDATE -- NOVEMBER 29, 2008--DISTINGUISHING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS VERSIONS OF "Major League":I recently ordered and returned (for not being unique or a two disk version as the description claims) "Major League: I Love The 80s," Major League. I also rented the original DVD version of "Major League" (ASIN: B00006F7IM) to better understand the differences between the various versions. While "Major League: I Love The 80s" has a unique cover and the description states that it is a two disk set, the fact is that it is the same DVD as the original "Major League" movie with a CD of four songs I have never heard of in a cardboard sleeve packaged in with the DVD. The original "Major League" DVD, Major League, is no different than the VHS version, Major League. Here then is a summary of the differences between the various versions of "Major League:"1) Major League (1989) VHS Version, Major League, is the original movie with no special features. Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC. Language: English, French. Rating: R. Release Date: May 29, 2001. Run Time: 106 minutes.2) Major League (1989) DVD Version, Major League, is the original movie with no special features, but a DVD Version rather than a VHS tape version. Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC. Language: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 5.1). Subtitles: English. Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1. Rating: R. DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002. Run Time: 106 minutes.3) Major League (Wild Thing Edition) (1989) DVD Version, Major League (Wild Thing Edition), is the original movie with the following special features: 1) locking safety storage box; 2) Commentary by Writer/Director David S. Ward and Producer Chris Cheser; 3) "My Kinda Team;" 4) "A Major League Look at 'Major League;'" 5) "Bob Uecker: Just A Bit Outside;" 6) Alternate Ending with Filmmaker Introduction; 7) A Tour of Cerrano's Locker; and 8) Photo Gallery. Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC. Language: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 5.1). Subtitles: English. Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1. Rated: R. DVD Release Date: April 10, 2007. Run Time: 107 minutes.4) MAJOR LEAGUE: WILD THING EDITION / (WS DUB SPEC) - MAJOR LEAGUE: WILD THING EDITION / (WS DUB SPEC) OR MAJOR LEAGUE: TURF EDITION DVD Version, MAJOR LEAGUE: WILD THING EDITION / (WS DUB SPEC) - MAJOR LEAGUE: WILD THING EDITION / (WS DUB SPEC), is the original movie and special features (indeed the same box) of "Major League (Wild Thing Edition)," described above, with an Artificial Turf slip case. This limited release Artificial Turf slip cover is the only difference between this version and the "Wild Thing Edition" described above. This is primarily a "collector's" version.5) Major League (1989) [I Love The 80s] DVD Version, Major League is the original movie and a musical CD with four songs "from the 80s:" 1. "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo & the Bunnymen; 2)"Chains of Love" by Erasure; 3) "Need You Tonight" by INXS; and 4) "Take On Me" by a-ha. This version, sporting a new cover that states "I Love The 80s" across the top, is essentially an updated release of the original DVD version, although this disk has a baseball covering. Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC. Language: English 5.1 Surround/English 2.0 Surround/French Mono. Subtitles: English. Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Amazon lists this aspect ratio, but other listing do indicate that it is still in 1.78:1). DVD Release Date: August 5, 2008. Run Time: 106 minutes. No Extra Features were found or listed. THIS IS THE MOST RECENTLY RELEASED VERSION.UPDATE--OCTOBER 25, 2008: In looking over my reviews, I found that Amazon has apparently created a new listing (ASIN: B000MGBTQ6) for "Major League: The Turf Edition" (if one can go by the picture), eliminated the listing that this review was originally written for, and lumped it in with the reviews for all the other editions--an action Amazon.com tell me "helps" buyers to be aware of all the editions available, even if the review doesn't specify which edition it is for. Please see my review of item MAJOR LEAGUE: WILD THING EDITION / (WS DUB SPEC) - MAJOR LEAGUE: WILD THING EDITION / (WS DUB SPEC) to learn about the "Turf Edition."As such, then, this review is now relevant to "Major League (Wild Thing Edition)" ASIN: B000M343BM, which is the edition Amazon kept sending me when I ordered "Major League: The Turf Edition." While this review is also posted under "Major League: I Love The 80s" (ASIN: B0019GO5AU), a two disk special edition, clearly my comment cannot be relevant, as I do not own that edition, all be it the movie is the same movie. As to how this edition differs from "Major League" (ASIN: B00006F7IM), I cannot say, as I do not own that edition either--although this and all other reviews are listed for all these editions.Now for my opinion: Needless to say, as a Cleveland fan since 1959, the thrill of "what if" was great--and I own a copy of every version that I am aware exists. But, this movie--no matter what version you purchase--is an outstanding show. The performances by all of the actors show a sincere desire to make a great movie. In particular Dennis Haysbert (perhaps best known for his role as President David Palmer on 24) as Pedro Cerrano is awesome, while Charlie Sheen gives his best comedic performance. Wesley Snipes as Willie Mays Hayes, not quite as well known at the time, engrossingly demonstrates his ability to do comedy--he really needs to do more comedy.The baseball scenes are all believable and well shot; although more cameos by real players would have been even nicer. Having been to many games, I think that the movie does a very good job of portraying what is is like to attend a professional baseball game. Indeed, with Bob Uecker, I almost thought I was listening to a live game. If you like baseball, Major League is one of the best--for entertainment, not drama--and I highly recommend it.While I am no expert on judging true widescreen versions from "matted" widescreen presentations, the item description states the aspect ratio is 2.35:1; the description on the back of the box for "Major League (Wild Thing Edition)" states: "This Film Is Presented In "Widescreen" Format. The Black Bars On The Top And Bottom Are Normal." It also states: "Widescreen Version Enhanced for 16:9 TVs." (If the other versions are different, I cannot say.)Bonus features for "Major League (Wild Thing Edition)" include: 1) commentary by writer/director David Ward and producer Chris Chesser; 2) My Kinda Team; 3) Major League: A Look at "Major League"; 4) Bob Uecker: Just A Bit Outside; 5) An Alternate Ending with Filmmaker Introduction; 6) A Tour of Cerrano's Locker; and 7) a photo gallery. How many of these bonus features are on the other editions, I cannot say; although I would hope that these and more are on the two disk edition (ASIN: B0019GO5AU).As a realist--knowing that the language,etc. that led to the "R" rating is all around and often needed to make the movie as realistic as possible--I ignored the rating and started watching this movie with my sons (on VHS) when the youngest was only six (now sixteen). Major League remains one of their all time favorites, and we have watched it together several dozen times. In my opinion, children get the excitement of baseball and ignore the other "adult themes" found in Major League. Major League is a movie to watch with both family and friends, as it enhances the "being there" feel that the film provides.If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

Classic movie great !!

Another one of my husband’s favorite movies

Just a great silly commentary on the lighter side of baseball.

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. My husband’s little league baseball team used the final play to win their pennant.!!!

Major League is one of my all time favorite movies with most of the lines of dialogue committed to memory long ago (after the 40th or 50th viewing...) From the first time I saw the film I fell in love with the lovable losers that are destined to win one for all of the picked on losers out there. At the time the film was released the Cleveland Indians had been known as one of the sorriest franchises in all of major league baseball. Season after season the Indians found ways to miss out on being truly competitive. As if by magic when the film was released the Indians seemed to turn things around in the seasons that followed finally becoming perennial contenders in the 90's.The film itself is comedic gold. Full of cliches and silly jock humor, but also full of touching events that let the viewer care about the athletes they are watching on the screen. We pull for the players and want to see them do well because the film allows us to sympathize with these losers and hope they can become winners.Paramount released the Wild Thing Edition of this film to DVD a few years ago. I grabbed that copy when it was available since it promised the alternate ending that most of us never knew about. Having watched that ending you realize that without redoing a lot of the later half of the film that the film just wouldn't work with that ending and that what we got in the theatrical release was absolutely the way to go. That same alternate ending and the rest of the extras that were included on the DVD have been included on the Blu-ray edition of the film, though those extras remain in standard definition, matted (black bars around all edges). It would have been nice to see the extras upgraded to high defintion for the Blu-ray release, but in reality the important thing here is the film and it looks pretty darned nice. Not perfect, but very nice.The audio in the Blu-ray is fine though some would complain that it hasn't been upgraded beyond Dolby 5.1. Considering what the film had when it was released, I'm happy to have a sound track that holds to the original. As long as the dialogue comes through clearly as I'm quoting it back to the screen, I'm plenty happy with what I got. ;-)Recommended for baseball fans and lovers of comedy. Well worth the purchase for me, now having double dipped to own a copy on both Blu-ray and DVD. One of my relatives or friends will soon be inheriting that DVD copy as I treasure the Blu-ray that Amazon was so quick to ship out to me.

Great