According to DVDactive.com

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/army-of-darkness2.html

Hopefully not the horrible U.S. theatrical version. So far, the best DVD release has been the MGM Hong Kong release,(I don't count the HD DVD, it was the shorter version as well). This is the longer International cut, sourced from different elements than Anchor Bay's terrible looking Bootleg/Dir's Cut releases. Hopefully Optimum, who are releasing this, have sourced their elements from a reliable place.

Which one was the US theatrical version ?

Is that the one with the stupid "I overslept" ending ?

Which one was the US theatrical version ?

Is that the one with the stupid "I overslept" ending ?

No. That would be the international version deemed to 'dark' by some moron, studio suit.

Meh ...

I'm partial to the shopping center ending. The "overslept" ending felt over too quickly.

Meh ...

I'm partial to the shopping center ending. The "overslept" ending felt over too quickly.

I'm not a huge fan of either ending really, but the 'overslept' ending was more in tone with Ash's character in my opinion.

I liked parts of the bootleg cut, but didn't like the ending. I really liked the shopping mall ending since it's just as silly as the rest of the movie and keeps with the spirit of the thing.

Hopefully not the horrible U.S. theatrical version. So far, the best DVD release has been the MGM Hong Kong release,(I don't count the HD DVD, it was the shorter version as well). This is the longer International cut, sourced from different elements than Anchor Bay's terrible looking Bootleg/Dir's Cut releases. Hopefully Optimum, who are releasing this, have sourced their elements from a reliable place.

I personally prefer the theatrical cut myself, but the R3 MGM Director's Cut absolutely destroys the AB releases. The DC got rid of one of the best lines in the entire movie: "Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun."

So far, the best DVD release has been the MGM Hong Kong release,(I don't count the HD DVD, it was the shorter version as well). This is the longer International cut, sourced from different elements than Anchor Bay's terrible looking Bootleg/Dir's Cut releases.
Yep, massive difference:

Anchor Bay Limited Director's Cut/Bootleg Edition/Boomstick Edition:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-43547.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-51882.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-57417.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-58262.jpg

MGM Hong Kong Director's Cut:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-40182.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-54498.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-55559.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/sehnzeleid1/vlcsnap-56482.jpg

Holy crap. I mean... wow. I had no idea. I knew Anchor Bay had done a substandard job but... wow. I'm so used to Army of Darkness looking like crap that I almost can't believe those captures.

I need to pick up a copy of this HK release....

Holy crap. I mean... wow. I had no idea. I knew Anchor Bay had done a substandard job but... wow. I'm so used to Army of Darkness looking like crap that I almost can't believe those captures.

I need to pick up a copy of this HK release....

Check out the HD DVD release...

Check out the HD DVD release...
The HD DVD is nice but it's far from the best release overall.

The HD DVD is nice but it's far from the best release overall.

There's a standard def version that looks better? In terms of extras it's empty but visually it blows away even the MGM R3 DVD. Sure there's room for improvement but there's no other version out there right now that's superior.

I'd love it if, somehow, we could get a fully remastered HD presentation with either ending attached to the film itself. The "overslept" ending might be preferred by some but I agree with the "S-Mart" finale fans -- the original ending isn't in keeping with the tone of the actual film and also presents the possibility of a "bombed out apocalypse" sequel that would be pretty lame since we've seen that setting before (Resident Evil Apocalypse for one). The "S-Mart" ending might have been added after the fact but it's funny and is much more satisfying IMO.

The HD DVD is so much better looking than any of the dvds its a joke, yes even the great Hong Kong standard dvd. But the HD DVD is sadly the lesser theatrical cut :( its just to damn short. So I have to keep the HD DVD and the Hong Kong standard dvd :( (and the Anchor Bay Canadian Limited 2 dvd Edition for extras haha).

Only way I would get the Blu Ray is if it looks as good as the HD DVD version and IS the longer cut. Otherwise its a bit silly.

The HD DVD is so much better looking than any of the dvds its a joke, yes even the great Hong Kong standard dvd. But the HD DVD is sadly the lesser theatrical cut :( its just to damn short. So I have to keep the HD DVD and the Hong Kong standard dvd :( (and the Anchor Bay Canadian Limited 2 dvd Edition for extras haha).

Only way I would get the Blu Ray is if it looks as good as the HD DVD version and IS the longer cut. Otherwise its a bit silly.

I'd love to see the R3 extended version or the German (both endings merged together) version someday on HD. The HD DVD looks great but I REALLY miss the long version. Id also love to see the TV version, which has more cut scenes added into the movie. (The Arthur fight in the beginning and "the outside the windmill scene" toward the middle)

It would be cool to see them do a Blade Runner type box set.

There's a standard def version that looks better? In terms of extras it's empty but visually it blows away even the MGM R3 DVD. Sure there's room for improvement but there's no other version out there right now that's superior.
See, I don't consider PQ as the number one factor in superiority, especially when the director's cut is such a different and better film. Also I think the MGM DVD to have a fuller 5.1 mix compared to the dull and front heavy HD DVD 5.1 mix. Not to mention the fantastic commentary track. Universal never have truly cared about this film.

See, I don't consider PQ as the number one factor in superiority, especially when the director's cut is such a different and better film. Also I think the MGM DVD to have a fuller 5.1 mix compared to the dull and front heavy HD DVD 5.1 mix. Not to mention the fantastic commentary track. Universal never have truly cared about this film.
+1. And I detest the S-Mart ending, Ash should never get the girl, it's like some test-audience nonsense, thrown together because idiots didn't get the joke. Ash is a loser. Ash is only badass when it comes to killing deadites, infact the character is so likeable because he's really a coward most of the time.
The oversleeping ending is perfect, the guy never gets a break, he can't even take a small number of potion-drops without f**king it up. S-Mart? I shart on your S-Mart ending! :p

The HD DVD does look pretty nice, although the R3 DVD ain't no slouch when upscaled either.

I'm definitely up for the Bu-ray, although I'll probably still have to keep the DVDs for the extras.

I prefer the theatrical cut because of it's iconic qoute in the "s-mart finale".
Sam Raimi's "Planet of the Apes" fits better if AOD was more thematically in sync with the first and second "Evil Dead" films.

+1. And I detest the S-Mart ending, Ash should never get the girl, it's like some test-audience nonsense, thrown together because idiots didn't get the joke. Ash is a loser. Ash is only badass when it comes to killing deadites, infact the character is so likeable because he's really a coward most of the time.
The oversleeping ending is perfect, the guy never gets a break, he can't even take a small number of potion-drops without f**king it up. S-Mart? I shart on your S-Mart ending! :p

lol and well said.