This listing is for the standard edition 2-disc 4k UHD/Blu-ray release. The limited edition magnet clasp box (designed by JJ Harrison and Haunt Love) was limited to 10,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the packaging and the 40-page book.
TraviCom owner, and multimillionaire, R.B. Travis (Joe Don Baker, Walking Tall) sends his son Charles (Bruce Campbell, The Evil Dead) and his friend Jeffrey (Taylor Nichols, Metropolitan) to the Congo to search for rare blue diamonds that can work as powerful conduits for telecommunications lasers. When Charles and Jeffrey are ambushed, his ex-fiance Dr. Karen Ross (Laura Linney, The Truman Show), who observes the attack via remote video feed, is sent by R.B. Travis to follow in his son's footsteps back to the Congo to finish what was started and, hopefully, find Charles alive. Upon embarking, Karen encounters Dr. Peter Elliot (Dylan Walsh, Nobody's Fool), his assistant (Grant Helsov, True Lies) and a gorilla named Amy, who can communicate with humans via a sign language-controlled glove that translates her movements into audible dialogue (voiced by Shayna Fox, Reggie Rocket on Nickelodeon's Rocket Power). Dr. Elliot is on a poorly-funded expedition to bring Amy back to the Congo, which ends up being made financially viable by a Romanian philanthropist (Tim Curry, Clue) and Karen, who opts to tag along. Once in Africa, they meet up with their guide (Ernie Hudson, Ghostbusters) and find themselves targets of various local militaries, tribes, and a race of gray, killer apes along the way to find the Lost City of Zinj.
Based on a long-gestating 1980 novel by Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, Disclosure), CONGO started its adventure to movie screens well over a decade before it hit theaters in the summer of 1995. A similar mash-up of tech-heavy sci-fi and roaring adventure to blockbuster juggernaut Jurassic Park two years prior, Frank Marshall's (Arachnophobia) screen adaptation of Crichton's unclassifiable genre amalgam comes to vivid life with a script by noted playwright and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley (Moonstruck, Joe Versus the Volcano), lush cinematography by Spielberg collaborator Allen Daviau (E.T., The Color Purple) and a suitably bombastic score by Jerry Goldsmith (Alien, Poltergeist). Vinegar Syndrome Ultra is proud to present this undeniable staple of mid-90s blockbuster filmmaking in its world UHD debut with a brand new 4K restoration from its original 35mm camera negative alongside a robust assortment of new extras.
directed by: Frank Marshall
starring: Laura Linney, Dylan Walsh, Ernie Hudson, Tim Curry, Grant Heslov, Joe Don Baker
1995 / 108 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.769852 / 5 from 743 reviews.
This limited edition deluxe magnet box set of the classic 1995 film Congo, newly restored in 4K, is praised for its stunning visual quality, top-notch packaging, and engaging storyline. The set includes a 40-page book and exclusive extras, making it a must-have for fans of the adventure genre.
Review topics: ["colors","material","quality","picture","shipping","feel","design","set","cover","looks","packaging","work","box","upgrade","sound","service","pleasure","case","detail","price","buy","movie","release","film","transfer","congo","effects","features","artwork","restoration"].
"Did I need such an elaborate set for Congo? Probably not, but when it’s this well put together I’m not going to complain. The movie itself just okay, although look for an appearance from Bruce Campbell in there! But the set is absolutely stacked with tons of extras, and great artwork throughout. Video and audio were also top notch!"
"Loved this movie as a teenager, and I loved watching it again in glorious 4K UHD. Definitely a re-watchable movie with a nice set of features to go along with it. I recommend getting the protective case to keep the amazing box in pristine condition."
"I haven’t seen Congo since I was a kid. The only part I remember is the end which I do remember being way bloodier and violent but that is usually how it goes with movies you’ve seen in your youth. Clearly, this was meant to be another Jurassic Park success but even though it made 3 times its cost back, it didn’t quite get to the same level. Regardless, this movie is star studded, with an amazing production design especially towards the end. I just wish they got to the Lost City of Zinj way sooner. It was nice to revisit this strange and entertaining movie and think it fits in well within the VSU universe. The extras mostly focus on the special effects and animatronics by Stan Winston. They are fantastic. Great packaging design. I especially love the slipcover with Bruce Campbell and Tim Curry. I remember being drawn to it when it was first announced but held off until a sale. Happy to have it in the collection."
"Is Congo as good as Jurassic Park? Not even close. Is it a good movie? Still no cigar. Is it more fun than a (ahem!) barrel of monkeys? Absolutely. It doesn't quite rise to the campy heights of (1997) Anaconda (I beseech you VinSyn gods, please make it the next Ultra), the cast is a murderers row of genre hams (Tim Curry, Bruce Campbell) character actors (Dylan Walsh, Ernie Hudson), and soon to be celebrated stage and screen darling Laura Linney, gamely stepping in the role of Attractive Lady Scientist in anticipation of what I hope was a huge check. It all boils into a messy but filling stew involving killer gorillas, a blue diamond turned into a laser weapon, and an adorable talking chimp. Cinema! This is my third Ultra after Showgirls and Southern Comfort and I'm equally impressed. I'm a sucker for a beautifully designed magnet box and that's exactly what the Congo VSU delivers. The perfect bond book has some fun reading and the disc is loaded with extras. Even bad movies deserve preservation and when comes to a movie as sublimely bad as Congo, VinSyn understands the assignment. Monkeys and lasers: Surprisingly enough."
"This was a Nostalgia re-watch, Quality was good, and I'm happy with this purchase. However, if I must nitpick on something, I kind of wished there was a disclaimer upon purchase about their being damage to the original film negative which shows up midway in the movie and can be a little distracting."
"Great movie, excellent transfer and honestly one of the best purchases I’ve made here."
"Had a blast returning to this movie, and am quite happy to own it. Thought the disc looked and sounded great and I appreciate Congo getting the Ultra treatment. The premium VSU packaging is quite nice with the big case and slip etc. inside, but it lacks the fun theme-ing of something like Cloak & Dagger. On-disc extras were nice and focus on effects (don't sleep on the archival making-of promo piece), which helps one appreciate the booklet essays for general context, but as usual with VS booklets the essays feature too much overlapping content and would have benefited from a stronger editorial hand. Almost wish I had gone with a Standard Edition on this but am not complaining too much."
"It's not the best of the Crichton adaptations (I'm hoping VS gives us a 4K of Sphere one day), but Congo is still fun. The actors in the gorilla suit did a great job, and it's fun to see both Ernie Hudson and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in the same movie, since they both played such prominent roles on HBO's OZ."
"Stupid movie, but still very fun featuring a great restoration of the film and a high-quality presentation with lots of special features, a hard box, a booklet, and a slipcover. Very nice package, highly recommend if you can get your hands on one."
"This was the first VSU title I purchased from VS. I was really impressed with the packaging, booklet, etcetera. Top notch and will be buying more VSU titles in the future. The release of the film was outstanding, in my opinion. Buy it before it’s gone."
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