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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Dual layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 105 min.

- Subtitles: English, Spanish

- Scene selection: full motion

- Package: Keep case
- THX Digitally Mastered

Video Features:

- Anamorphic Widescreen

- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio Features:

- English: Dolby 4.0 Surround

- English: Dolby Surround

- French: Dolby Surround

Bonus Materials:

- Commentary by Tim Burton

- Commentary by Danny Elfman

- Featurette

- Trailers and TV spots

- Concept Art

 
Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:       12/1990

DVD Release:              09/05/00

Review Date:               10/11/00

List price:                     $ 29.98

On-line price:               $ 20.99

Pre-order price was:    $ 19.99

Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest,
      Vincent Price, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker,
      and Alan Arkin

Director and producer: Tim Burton

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Studio: 20th Century Fox (Fox Home Entertainment)
 

Movie: B        Video: B        Audio: B-        Extras: B

Summary: An old inventor creates a living invention, named Edward, complete 
   with a loving heart.  However, Edward is outfitted with large scissors as his 
   hands while the inventor works on a pair of human-like hands.  Unfortunately, 
   the inventor passes away before he can outfit Edward with a pair of human-like 
   hands.  An Avon sales lady finds him and in her kindness takes him home to live 
   with her family.  Edward brings a delightful, warm effect to the pastel suburban 
   neighborhood until envy and jealousy bring an end to his new found family.  
   This moving, dark, comic fairy tale brings warmth and perspective to the human 
   frailty.

The Story

The comical fairytale movie begins with a grandmother telling her granddaughter a story about a man with scissors for hands, lives in the haunted mansion, and explains how it began snowing in Burbank... The story flashes back in time to Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), a struggling Avon lady who diligently goes door-to-door in the hopes of making sales.  As she deflates in her car after a very slow morning, she sees the mansion in her rear view mirror.  Desperate to make a sale, she drives up to the dark, haunted old mansion.  As she passes under the old vines, she arrives at a beautiful, well-manicured garden with many sculpted topiaries.  As she wanders through the castle, she finds Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) and takes him home to live with her family.

Edward is fascinated with suburban life and is instantly intrigued with Kim (Winona Ryder) who is away at camp.  All the neighbors want to meet this new visitor so they invite themselves to a picnic at the Boggs.  Edward frequently remembers his inventor and how he was created at the mansion.  Everyone in town seems to accept him as a celebrity with open arms as Edward's scissor hands prove to be useful in sculpting their trees and ladies' hair. 

Kim returns home early on night and is terrified by Edward who was sleeping in her bed.  She is the only one that voices her true feelings about this strange being who is now living in her house.  Edward is willing to do anything Kim asks of him.  Soon the picture-perfect suburban life for Edward changes drastically, and he realizes where he truly belongs.

The Extras

The extra features include commentaries by Tim Burton and by Danny Elfman, a featurette, soundbites, trailers and TV spots, and concept art.  Tim Burton explains throughout the movie the process of the making of Edward Scissorhands.  On the other hand, music composer Danny Elfman documents the musical themes behind Edward Scissorhands.  The music beautifully enhances and is well-integrated with the film.  Mr. Elfman continues to explain the process of scoring the music and how these theme songs are his favorites.  The making of featurette introduces how the modern fable of Edward Scissorhands is unfamiliar to us, and the actors' perspectives of the Edward Scissorhands character.

The soundbites section has clips of Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Tim Burton, Caroline Thompson, Alan Arkin, Vincent Price and Danny Elfman answering questions about the movie, the character that each actor played, and feelings about a fellow actor, the director, or the composer.  The trailers and TV spots consist of the two original trailers, English 30 seconds 'Romance' and Spanish 20 and 30 seconds 'Amuse You' TV spots. 

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is good.  The colors are accurate and saturated while in the neighborhood pastels gives this movie a lively tone.  The Dolby Digital 4.0-channel surround sound is heavily concentrated on the front channels.  However, the dialogue was clear, and wonderful music score effectively accentuates the mood of the movie.

Recommendation

It is interesting to note that "Edward Scissorhands" was nominated for 1991 Academy Award for Best Makeup.  I think you may enjoy this delightful comedy fable style that only Tim Burton can bring to the big screen.  It will make you laugh and cry and may even help some of us become better people.

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