Empire Records Special Fan Edition

By Pamela Van Woerkom

In a world with too many coming of age teen movies to even be able to count, there are very few that stick out as good movies.

Empire Records is one of the very few that pulls it off. The fun story, along with well thought out casting, give this movie the support it needs to stand out.

Lucas has been trusted to close the store: a big responsibility. With simple rules to follow this should be an easy task. Unfortunately, Lucas stumbles upon a contract to change Empire Records as it stands now, into a Music Town.

A franchise.

For the staff of Empire Records, this would be a tragedy. So Lucas does what any teen in his situation would do: he jets off to Atlantic City. With the night’s deposit in hand he makes his way to the craps table where he, of course, loses everything.

Now its up to the staff of Empire Records to get through this setback. With Rex Manning, the owner, shoplifters and all of their own personal issues standing in their way, they’re determined.

An excellent cast including, Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger, and an awesome soundtrack take you along for the ride while one store full of people teach you how to “damn the man” and save the Empire.

For longtime Empire Records fans, this new edition is a must see. With 16 minutes of all new footage and some awesome deleted scenes, you’ll wonder how they made this movie without them the first time.

Presented in an “all-new 2003 digital transfer,” the quality is not as good as the label would have you believe, but it’s still not bad. Colors, particularly reds and blues, are very sharp and vibrant, but overall it suffers from a slightly muddy look. Blacks are well done, and individual detail looks fine. It’s presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, 16x9 TV compatible.

The new Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix is much more impressive. Separation is good, and even some of the dialogue manages to be spread through the five channels. The pop-ish soundtrack gets loud and slightly overwhelming, but it’s nice to see that the surrounds are used effectively for a movie you wouldn’t expect it from. Overall, a very nice touch.

Even for a “Special Fan Edition,” fans are likely to be disappointed. Sure, there are 16 minutes of extra footage, but aside from that and 4 completely unnecessary deleted scenes, there’s nothing but a trailer here. Hardcore fans may want to see some behind-the-scenes stuff, particularly interviews with Tyler and Zellweger, who have since gone on to become big stars.

But alas, if you are one of those who enjoy Empire Records, this is the version to buy (and not just because the original version is now out of print).

Empire Records, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
107 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) 16X9 enhanced, 5.1 Dolby Digital
Starring Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield and Debi Mazar, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Robin Tunney, Renee Zellweger and Liv Tyler
Produced by Arnon Milchan, Michael Nathanson, Alan Riche and Tony Ludwig
Written by Carol Heikkinen, directed by Allan Moyle

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