Video:
Keeping in mind that this is a documentary, and those who create them are often more focused on the story they are telling rather than the picture quality, the quality of this particular disc is very good. Presented in a widescreen format, the colors and picture are sharp and clear, which is a pleasant surprise.

Sound:
The sound quality is just adequate. At times, an echo can be heard, especially during the inside scenes, and during the outdoor scenes the ancillary sounds of the neighborhoods occasionally get in the way of the experience.

Extras:
There are only two extras of note, consisting of case studies of other foster children about to age out of the system. The first one features the uplifting story of 20-year-old Thomas, who was abused by a drug-addicted mother before being shuffled around from shelters to foster homes, to group homes. Thomas is understandably anxious about being only months away from aging out as he struggles to maintain full-time enrollment in college and find work, not to mention attempt to make peace with his past and absence of family support. He insists on doing things his own way, which means frequent conflicts with authority figures.

Keely entered the system at age 16 after her parents died of AIDS in her youth. She was abused by her mother and barely knew her father. Like Thomas, Keely is also getting ready to live independently. She commutes many hours a day from her South Bronx home to a job in a hospital and has frequent contact with her caring, committed independent living counselor, who stays with her long after the state's legal commitment to Keely ends. Life on her own is not easy, and Keely must also battle depression, which interferes with her ability to work, as well as an unexpected surprise that further complicates matters.

It is an ever-increasing trend for DVDs to feature throwaway extras that are mere filler; these two shorts, which average about 20 minutes each in length, are incredibly moving and absorbing, especially when both Thomas and Keely discuss in detail how difficult life is with no parents to guide them.

Final Thoughts:
Watch this documentary and see if by the end of it you are not more grateful for the people in your own life. The stories featured within Aging Out are touching, terrifying, and inspiring. Put it on your "must see" list.