Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

Audio: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)

Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Access; Subtitles (English/French); Theatrical Trailer; "Making-Of Young Guns II" Featurette

The Movie: Taking place one year after the events in the original 1988 surprise hit, we find that rascally Billy The Kid (Emilio Estevez) teaming up with surviving Regulators Doc Scurlock (a restrained Kiefer Sutherland) and half-Mexican/half-Indian Chavez (a noble Lou Diamond Phillips) to fight off the rest of the gang who killed their boss and friend (played by Terence Stamp in "YGI"). Only this time, there are 3 new members aboard: the conniving "Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh (Christian Slater), kindly ex-farmer-turned-outlaw Henry French ("Ferris Bueller's" Alan Ruck) and waify Tom (Balthazar Getty--who manages to bed a hooker before getting whacked). The underappreciated William Petersen ("To Live And Die In L.A.") gets the fun job of portraying the legendary Sheriff Pat Garrett--who would historically go on to kill Billy The Kid. As scripted here, the two men are friends and co-outlaws, until the Governor of New Mexico grants him the opportunity to turn Sheriff and hunt down the others. As in all classic Westerns, much blood is spilled before justice and revenge are pacified.

The Video: "Young Guns II" looks awesome! The DVD is clear in picture, but occaisonally soft during certain scenes. The picture is a bit dark, but this more an aesthetic reason than a technical one (see my "Conclusion" for a better elaboration). WB did a fine job in the transfer. Kudos, folks!!

The Sound: WB also gets points for remastering the soundtrack into 5.1. Nice going, partners! Composer Alan Silvestri's score and Jon Bon Jovi's way-cool theme song "Blaze Of Glory" gets its proper due here.

The Extras: With a theatrical trailer and a 7 minute featurette put on the DVD, I have to say that this one's definitely a step in the right direction for mid-level DVDs. In other words, even though a title may not be the biggest one around (like "The Matrix"), most people (like me) still love to have our little extras. Keep it up WB, we'll love ya for it!

Conclusion: I have to say that I enjoyed the DVD and the movie for many reasons. But here is where I get to be artistic! "YGII" outdoes the original in some ways. "YGI" was shot in flat 1.85 aspect ratio, while this one was shot in Panavison 2.35. The wider scope takes full advantage of cinematographer Dean Semler's beautiful golden, lensing (he won an Oscar for lensing "Dances With Wolves" that same year, 1990). The acting is also excellent here, with William Petersen doing a fantastic job. All in all, a good title for that DVD collection up at the ranch!

Happy Trails, y'all!!