BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO has released an outstanding dvd presentation of " A Nightmare Before Christmas".  While the film looks incredible in every scene, it sounds wonderful too, mostly due to the memorable score by composer Danny Elfman.  Just as the film is a daring from a visual standpoint, its musical innovation is no less compelling.  At times, it brings to mind the wonderful mood of "Mad Monster Party", and at other times, it just stands brilliantly on its own.  The animation is
mind-boggling at times, and its overall look is certain to please adults as
well as the young audiences, it seems to be aimed at.

The story involves "Jack Skellington",  the halloweenish looking creation
leading the hamlet responsible for Halloween.  By accident, he ventures into "Christmastown" and this new world of brightness and toys captivates him, causing him to....kidnap Santa Clause!!!  Skellington decides to make Christmas fall under his jurisdiction, and the results are hilarious to the viewers, and horrifying to the unwitting innocent characters receiving the outcome of his plans.

Deep inside this twisted tale, exists a real message about "self-worth" and
appreciating one's self for their own uniqueness.

While we were disappointed that BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO didn't elect to present the dvd with 16:9 enhancement, the presentation still looks terrific!  There's great clarity and resolution, and no pixelation anywhere!
The contrast is also terrific with perfectly delineated blacks and grays.
Colors are solid.

The soundmix is awesome!!!  BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO is offering the dvd with both DOLBY DIGITAL "&" DTS 5.1 sound!!!  There is an effective use of directional effects throughout the film, but the soundmix is best used in complimenting Elfman's score!  While the Dolby Digital 5.1 track sound wonderful, offering great range and basically the same clarity in directional effects, there is a real advantage to the DTS track in relation to the more subtle effects and low-end

Director Henry Selick and cinematographer Pete Kozachik offer a running commentary that explains the stop-motion animation accomplishments to this film in great depth.

A mini-documentary, "MAKING OF NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS" offers various interviews with the talent behind the film, and a better appreciation for what actually goes into the slow, methodical steps of making a film like this!

There's a deleted scenes segment, giving the viewer the opportunity to jog through various versions of deleted scenes.  While the storyboard scenes also offer audio, we wish that they were fully animated, as the "fully animated" deleted scenes are!

The best of the supplements are the short films by Tim Burton offered here. "Vincent" and "Frankenweenie" are certain to please Burton fans, only familiar with "Batman" and his later work.  There is even more supplementary material than this, but this alone makes this dvd worth having in any collection!