It may be somewhat muddled, but Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves was a smash hit in the early 90s and contains some enjoyable moments featuring a deliciously demented Alan Rickman. A few years ago, though, we had little good to say about the original Warner Bros DVD, but with this new two-disc release it's mead and good times for all!

Checklist

In our review of the original features-free disc, we asked that a future re-release have at least a trailer. Now we have one. We thought they could at least put on a music video of Bryan Adams singing the song that stayed at no.1 until our ears bled. Warner Bros has now furnished us with footage of Bryan performing the song at Slane Castle to a lighter-waving crowd. What we also requested, but really didn't expect given the difficulties that surrounded the production, was a commentary from director Kevin Reynolds. We've been blessed with such a thing plus Kevin Costner sitting in too! Warner Bros has truly robbed some riches to give to us poor DVD consumers!

More Hood

This director's cut runs at a staggering 148 minutes, so make sure your popcorn bowl is deep. If you want a fairly detailed analysis of what has been added (there's plenty more Alan Rickman), then select the writers' commentary track. This also includes actors Christian Slater and Morgan Freeman, whose contributions make this an often amusing track to listen to.

As for the two Kevins, they're pretty frank on their revealing commentary about the rival Robin Hood projects of the time, some of the problems during the shoot, and on Rickman's ability to steal a scene.

The Name's Cheese, Cheese Brosnan

Possibly one of the most unintentionally funny 'making of' documentaries ever committed to DVD is to be found on disc two. Hosted by a then clearly less choosy Pierce Brosnan (it was 1991), he walks us through this fairly routine piece of puff. What is so screamingly amusing, though, is that Brosnan appears to be using this opportunity to show off his entire acting range - which runs from earnest and breathy to even more earnest and breathy. Once he starts gushing about the talents of Costner as an actor, it's hard to tell whether he's close to ecstatic fervour or just taking the ****.

It's certainly an unusual experience on an otherwise enjoyable DVD that gives fans more of the movie and some honest insights into how it all worked. The sound mix is far better than before, and while the picture quality is also better, the print could still do with some attention.

EXTRA FEATURES

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-N5 DVD player.