Silly to create a new thread, perhaps, but I've finally gone through all the extras on this disc, and I've got to say I'm extremely pleased. I know that many of you are mixed when it comes to additional materials, but I can't think of a better selection of watchable, relevant material that actually improves the experience of the film than those found on this title.

The two commentaries are pretty standard, but still enjoyable and informative. The deleted scenes and improvisational elements are provided with commentary by the director and Walter Murch, always a good thing. What I found fabulous, however, were the three 20-30 minute long docs about the actors, the extras, and a selection of soldiers coming home from Iraq. These are effective, affecting looks at the behind the scenes, refreshingly candid without being cliche. They look at the affects of the shooting on veterans of the real war, and present what I think is a unique look at this interplay between memories of real action with the process of recreating the action for the screen. None of these are overtly political or polemical, they are well crafted and produced docs that go miles beyond most EPK shlock.

In short, these "extras" are in many ways superior to the film itself, and certainly heighten my appreciation for the main work. This type of complete presentation, along with other lauded packages such as the Warner titles that include all elements from their fabulous 2-disc SD sets, is exactly the type of thing I'd love to see on both HD and BD releases.

I fear, however, that with the onslaught of many films some may have overlooked these fine additional materials, so I thought I'd bring them up for your viewing pleasure. Dig in, and I hope you enjoy...

If they were only in HD...

..yeah, but I'd much, much rather have them included, even in SD, than abandoned all together...

I've had HD long enough to no longer be wowed just by a pretty picture... Of course, the -feature- has to look damn good, but I couldn't give a rats ass about extras in HD, as long as they contribute to the enjoyment of the film. My point, as above, is that they contribute -tremendously- to the film.

I for one would trade all SD extras that map what's on the SD special editions of most (good) films over dropping the majority but having the few bits in HD. I'm equally for using 2 disc sets (a la MI:3, etc.) that puts the extras (SD or HD) on an extra disc, maximizing space on the main disc for Video/Audio.

In an ideal world, your HD purchase should really be the definitive version. The premium that I'm paying over SD means for many of my titles it really should be the last version I'm to buy for my collection (with some titles, like Goodfellas, already joining VHS/LD/DVD/DVD special edition in a long line of purchases).

Still, I've already mentioned my views on extras several times, that's not the point of this thread. It hopefully will highlight for someone that may have overlooked the truly great additions to this film as they just popped in and watched what for some is an underwhelming flick (I actually enjoyed it, but I certainly see where criticism can be leveled at it).

If they were only in HD...

HD doesn't automatically make one enjoy or not enjoy extras. It's about the presentation and information contained within them.

That's like saying you can't enjoy a book that's ratty and torn. Extras don't have to be pristine so long as the film is. They just have to be there.

I don't think Jarhead gets enough credit on HD-DVD.

While many will whip out King Kong as a demo disc for friends and family, I find that the nighttime oil fires scenes get the biggest 'Wow' of all the samples I show. The transfer deserves to be rated much higher on the tier thread.