Rating: 
Summary: One of the greatest movies of all time!
Review: If I could give a review of 10,000 stars, I would. This is one of the best movies of all time. You have to see this picture and like it. The script is perfect, cinematography is superb, music is awsome, and that's the bottom line. If Mr. Gilliam ever reads this, I AM ONE OF YOUR GREATEST FANS! Keep making more, you are very, VERY talented!
Rating:
Summary: this collection is region free
Review: Many europeans would wish to own this collection, it is however advertised as Region 1, now for the good news...it is in fact region 0! All three discs are excellent. This is the way to use DVD. The collection allows us to follow the whole production / post production debacle that was Brazil. The film itself is pure Giliam, tarnished genius. Worth every dollar, let's hope more companies follow Criterions example and make region 0 DVD's actually worth owning...they seem to realise that we already own the VHS versions of these classic films and that just transfering them to DVD is not enough...DVD is meant to add features to a film and enhance our enjoyment...Brazil does that and more. Great film. Brilliant DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Best DVD features for a great movie
Review: The Criterion Collection is a must have for anyone who, like me, saw Brazil when it was first released in the theater and didn't totally get it. Later, I saw a version on cable and this confused me even more, as I didn't remember alot of this stuff as being in the movie, not to mention the ending which didn't make much sense.Well, the Criterion Collection DVD ties it all together. I watched the director's cut on disc 1 and was blown away. Then disc 2 with all of it's features. Then disc 1 again with Gilliam's commentary. Then disc 3. Etc. This is truly a great movie, and Criterion has released a wonderful collection. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Brazil Not a Dark Vision - A Triumphant Vision
Review: Most of the reviews that I read of Brazil state that this work is very Kafka-esque, and basically dark in it's portrayal of life. I disagree 100%. This is a story about a man who finds freedom - the only freedom that there really is. This is brought out in the movie when Michael Palin's character says at the end "We Lost Him". Sam Lowry had managed to escape. On the surface it appears that he has just gone mad (or been lobotomized), but at a deeper level Sam has triumphed over the world. He has found the secret to life itself. The secret is that one's happiness or sorrow is all in the mind, and never in the outward circumstances. Sam finds the freedom of mind that makes the outward circumstances unimportant. The Ministry of Information is ultimately frustrated and defeated at the end of the movie, because they can no longer control Sam, and make him a part of the bogus world that they represent. This is not some dark nihilistic tragedy. This is a Triumph of a man who has overcome the world through his dreams.
Rating:
Summary: It DOES Have A Happy Ending!
Review: You know, as I sit here reading other's negative reviews of this film, stating it didn't have a "happy ending", I wonder if they weren't too busy scrutinizing every moment of this great film to realize the deep meaning behind it. When we first see Sam Lowry's place of work there resides a large statue in the center of the hall with a (quite obvious) artistic rendering of Sam (with wings) and Jill Layton. Inscribed beneath this statue resides the basis of all the theological and metaphorical basis of the film "The Truth Shall Set You Free". Now , without giving away the ("depressing ending") I explain how this relates. Sam lives in a totalitarian society of little hope or dreams (except, of course, for his). After the end (again, being vague) Sam escapes his restrictive bonds the only way he can. This may appear gloomy but as you can see his face has a tiny smile, while humming a noticeable tune. Don't you understand what this means? He's finally happy. He's escaped his life like a bird from a dampened cage into the open air. All the "critics" can babble all they want, but until you understand the themes and meanings of a film, I say you keep your opinions to yourself and stop oppressing this already black-listed film.
Rating:
Summary: masterpiece
Review: Sam Lowry's father (the ghost in the machine) has created a world that ultimately sacrifices his own son. The only wound that appears on Sam at the end is a hole in his hand. Crucifixtion anyone?? There are so many levels to this movie. I love that there are film makers like Gilliam who can make me think and feel at the same time. You can tell that the people who don't like this film just don't get it.... and you know, some people never will but that's who they make the other 99% of the movies for. I came on line tonite looking for the 5th Monkey starring Ben Kingsley and it's not even listed. Oh well, I guess every Segal movie will be available on DVD soon.
Rating:
Summary: Must see -- been on my personal top-10 list forever!
Review: This is a brilliant, disturbing, film that will provoke emotional 'flashbacks' weeks after you've seen it. I am suprised that most reviewers don't recognize this film as a Gilliam interpretation of Orwell's 1984 (recognize 'room 101' in the movie?). If "1984" left an impression on you... Brazil will haunt you.
Rating: 
Summary: Very fine, yet flawed, movie
Review: I hesitate to say "flawed" because what it really amounts to is a personal judgement call. I like this movie a lot and own it in VHS and DVD. I love the jabs at retro-future. It's as though technical innovation stopped around 1968, but refinement of existing technology continued. I love the way that the characters accept their surroundings -- some resentfully and some happily naive. The scene in the fancy restaraunt is absolutely full of memorable vignettes, but what strikes me most is after the bomb goes off and most of the diners simply choose not to acknowledge that everything is not perfectly fine. The orchestra members -- some of them a little charred -- pick up their instruments and continue playing a nice upbeat melody. The staff bring ready-at-hand screens so the diners need not be upset by the sight of the dead and dying. But the dream fights with the Asian metal monster (representing what, exactly?) instantly put me straight into a narcoleptic sleep. Gilliam uses similar sequences in (all?) of his movies -- the lead character fighting with his demons. Note to Terry Gilliam: There has GOT to be a better way for you to show inner struggle / insanity. Please! Even the flight sequences are too much. Jonathan Pryce's facial expressions are sufficiant. Oh well... like I say, I truely love this movie... but...
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Movie, But Not Anamorphic
Review: This set, although a little pricey, is definately a must-have if you like BRAZIL and enjoy lots of behind-the-scenes information. The first disc is the widescreen directors cut; the second disc has incredible documentaries, interviews, versions of early scripts, and more; the third disc is the studio's cut of the film (full-screen). It is very interesting to compare the director's and studio's versions of the film. It is truly amazing how editing can completely change a movie. Terry Gilliam has an audio channel all to himself on the director's cut -- fascinating commentary, and he LOVES to talk! I had to revise this review ... I just purchased a widescreen, high definition t.v. I was completely shocked to find that this expensive BRAZIL DVD set is *not* anamorphic!! Therefore, I have two (disappointing) options: (1) watch it in 16:9 format, where the picture is still letterboxed and elongated/distorted, or (2) watch it in "square" format, letterboxed. I do not believe that "zooming" is an acceptable option, as picture quality is still an issue. Therefore, I changed my rating to 3 stars. Criterion has done an excellent editorial job on the BRAZIL set. But they need to rerelease the set Anamorphically (or "enhanced for widescreen tvs")!
Rating:
Summary: Battle of Brazil is wonderful
Review: It was quite interesting to find out what Gilliam went through to get his version of Brazil seen in the United States. A must for Terry Gilliam fans. Don't miss it on Disc 2 of the Criteron set.
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