| Certificate | Running Time | Screen Ratios | Video Format | Discs | Sides | Layers |
| Unrated | 153 Minutes | 2.35:1 | Non-Anamorphic NTSC | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Soundtracks | ||||||
| English Dolby Digital 5.1 | ||||||
| Notable Extras | ||||||
| Two Audio Commentaries, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes, Storyboards, Special Effects feature, Look of Armageddon feature, Theatrical and Teaser Trailers, TV Spots, Music Video - 'Aerosmith: I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' and interviews with the band members | ||||||
Every now and again Criterion releases a film most people would not consider either classic or important. Armageddon fit's into this category - it's a huge blockbuster, nothing more, nothing less.Along with Godzilla, this was the big summer special effects release of 1998. Whereas Godzilla had a large lizard terrorising America, Armageddon has a huge asteriod threatening to destroy the planet - not unlike Deep Impact!
The one thing standing between the asteroid and the total anihilation of mankind - Bruce Willis and his misfit group of Oil Drilling men!
Basically this is the typical corny, special effects movie which Hollywood churns out once or twice a year. It's enjoyable but its not really what you would consider as being a work of art...
Directors Cut
If it wasn't for the fact that this disc is pretty special as far as DVD is concerned, I wouldn't have bought it. There is no way I would shell out my hard earned cash on the Region 2 flipper or the pretty poor original Region 1 release.
Thankfully, Criterion know what is required to make a great disc - or in this case two! The main film is on the first disc, it's got an excellent DD5.1 soundtrack and a sharp, albeit non-anamorphic, transfer.
The second disc contains the bulk of the Extras, and there are litterally loads of 'em! In fact, I'd go as far as to say that this disc has more Extras than any other I have reviewed and probably more than any other disc in my entire collection!
As I said before, the transfer is Non-Anamorphic. However, it is one of the best Non-Anamorphic NTSC transfers I've seen - it can't compare with the old Non-Anamorpic PAL R2 picture let alone the new Anamorphic one - but as an NTSC transfer it is impressive.
There is only one other fault I can pick with the quality of this release is the layer change. It is the worst I have ever seen, taking a good few seconds for the laser to refocus on the second layer. I though their was a fault until the picture sprang jerkily back into action!
Summing Up
What we have here is an average movie made into an outstanding disc. If you can take the movie for what it is - a (slightly overlong) special effects showcase - then you're certain to enjoy it.
As a DVD it is up there with the best - it really does make some studios efforts look embarrasing!