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Ultimate Jordan
review by Zach B.
Starring: Michael Jordan
Running Time: 330 minutes
Studio: USA
Retail Price: $26.95
Features: Programs "Come Fly With Me," "Michael
Jordan's Playground," "Air Time," "Above & Beyond" and
"His Airness." Michael's Greatest Dunks, Michael's Greatest
Moves, Michael's Greatest Clutch Shots, Michael's Greatest
Assists, Great Michael Memories, Jill Scott Music Tribute,
It's Gotta Be The Shoes, Jordan Career Timeline, Slam Dunk
Contest Highlights, Michael's Great Eight, Collectible
Booklet
Specs: 1.33:1 Full Frame, English 5.1 Dolby Digital,
English Dolby 2.0, English Closed Captions, Chapter Search,
Two-Disc Set
As Michael Jordan embarks on his return to the NBA for
the 2001-2002 season, USA Home Entertainment's "Ultimate
Jordan" seems like the perfect tie-in. As fans get hyped up
for Jordan's return, USA presents five Michael Jordan
programs that originally appeared on VHS in a great
collectible package on DVD (and it's cheaper to get it this
way than buying all of them separate on tape). While it is
questionable for those who own the tapes are willing to
upgrade, I highly recommend it as this set is a very good
deal.
These five programs present a great look back at Jordan's
career, all at different times during a single decade
(1989-1999). "Michael Jordan: Come Fly With Me," "Michael
Jordan's Playground," "Michael Jordan Air Time," "Michael
Jordan Above And Beyond" and "Michael Jordan His Airness"
are included in this set. The first three on one disc and
the last two on the second that also includes bonus footage.
While each of these all show Michael in action, they all
present some interesting focuses. "Come Fly With Me" gives
some background on Jordan's past, while "Above And Beyond"
has interesting reflections on his early retirement and then
getting back into the game. Everything here lasts over five
and a half hours, and since Jordan is such a legend and the
footage here can be so incredible, it'll always be worth
watching.
So what else can I say? Michael Jordan is a living sports
legend who is instantly recognizable with sports nuts and
those who aren't into sports at all. As he has broken
records, inked memorable promotional deals and has a
tremendous career, there's really not much I can say as just
about everyone is familiar with his contributions. I could
go on and on and on about Jordan, and most of you probably
can too. But why bother when you can watch this set that
shows all his brilliant sports-playing in action? Basketball
and Jordan fans, this is simply a great investment for your
DVD player as we see the greatest player of all time at his
absolute best.
All of the five programs and bonus footage are in 1.33:1
full frame and have been digitally re-mastered for this
release. Since there is a variety of footage that differs in
quality, a lot of this set is a toss-up. Some of the footage
from the games look really sharp and bold, while other
footage from games look a bit faded and washed out. Still,
there's a lot to like here. Video interviews tend to look
quite good, and there is a really nice crisp quality to the
images on the programs. Colors and black levels look good,
and the only main problem with these programs are some noise
here and there. Still, nicely done.
"Ultimate Jordan" features 5.1 Dolby Digital and English
Dolby 2.0 tracks. The 5.1 remixes are pretty strong for what
they are. The crowds at the games, the music blasting out
and the variety of sounds on the court are well mixed and
sound rather fantastic. This was a lot better than I
expected and is an overall nice sound presentation. There is
a balance between the sounds, and dialogue is easy to hear
as nothing overpowers it. During some great highlights, it
can get you rather pumped up. Bass extension is pretty
impressive. Overall, fine remixes that suit the material
well. English closed captions can be turned on if your
television has it.
While you want find any commentaries or really in-depth
stuff here, like most of their sports releases, USA has
crammed in some great bonus footage. Michael's Greatest
Dunks shows off some highlight dunks, while Michael's
Greatest Moves shows off some great moves he made during
some games. There's also more Michael in action in games
with Michael's Greatest Clutch Shots and Michael's
Greatest Assists. Jordan and basketball fans will love
these and will love revisiting them.
Great Michael Memories highlights portions of
Jordan during games, and has interviews with basketball
players and those involved in the NBA recalling their
favorite Jordan memories. Nicely done.
Jill Scott Music Tribute is a fine tribute set to
Jordan with music and footage, while It's Gotta Be The
Shoes is a great featurette that I really enjoyed as it
takes a look back as probably Jordan's biggest promotional
campaign... Nike's Air Jordans. I loved those commercials,
and I loved my Air Jordan's... I think I still have them all
the way from the year 1992.
Michael Jordan's Career Timeline is another great
feature, as we are presented an interactive timeline and
when you click on a certain year, footage from that year is
shown featuring His Airness. It spans 1982-2000, and is
worth going through.
Slam Dunk Contest Highlights that has interviews
with NBA personalities, Jordan, footage of slam dunks from
Jordan and him trying to win the slam dunk contest against
Dominique Wilkins. More documentary like and more serious,
which I liked.
There's also Michael's Great Eight is like another
feature in its own, with eight chapter stops that his his
greatest eight moments. Also well done and it feels more
serious. Finally, there's a Collectible Booklet
inside that is really nice, but I felt it could have used
some more depth. It feels like a random scrapbook of Jordan.
"Ultimate Jordan" is a must-own for any basketball fan or
Michael Jordan fan out there. While this programming is not
new, getting five programs and much more for a low price is
really worth it, seeing how you'll be watching the greatest
basketball player of all time in where everything seems to
be memorable and amazing. The extra bonus footage is a good
addition, and while the transfer and 5.1 are nothing too
spectacular, but they do hold their own. Worth the price as
this is a great gift for any basketball fan and a great set.
 (4.5/5 - NOT included in
final score)
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(3.5/5, NOT an average)
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