Now, here's were it all gets complicated. After sitting through so many versions and audio permutations of the movie, I had already let go of most of my cynicism towards these releases after all the controversy. But even so, I am still a bit disappointed with the extras on the 2-disc set, although the 3-disc set is quite impressive and comprehensive. Once again, the back of the packaging is misworded or simply wrong on the 2-disc set (but not the 3-disc set, which is correct). I suspect that Spielberg got directly involved at a late date, hence the outdated packaging. Once thing that is consistent, however, with both the 2-disc and 3-disc sets is that all the video-based extras were produced by longtime Spielberg collaborator Laurent Bouzereau, are presented in 4:3 full frame, and no subtitle or caption options are provided for the hearing impaired.
Let's start with the 2-disc set, since these two discs offer nothing you can't get on the 3-disc set anyway (save for one extra noted below), so you won't miss out on anything if you opt for the box. Disc one includes the exact same extras on both the 2-disc and 3-disc set versions, and they are rather meager. Outside of the John Williams live soundtrack mentioned above, our journey starts off with a 2-minute video intro to the 2002 version by Spielberg. The 2002 World Premiere is a nice 17-minute featurette on the buildup to the big show, made quite exciting by the addition of John Williams' live orchestral backing. We get a very fast-paced but thorough glimpse at the tension and technical challenges involved, then all the red carpet arrivals, followed by an except of the live show-only "Overture" expressly written for the one-time-only event by Williams. Finishing off this nice bit of nostalgia is Spielberg's on-stage introduction of the main cast and crew. Since so few of us got invited to this little shindig, this is about as close as you're gonna get without actually having been there.
Also on disc one is one of the most bizarre extras I've seen in a long while, the "exciting" Space Exploration. Clearly meant for the kids, click this one and be treated to an interactive "map" of our solar system. Click on a planet and a bad voice imitation of E.T. delivers a 1-minute lecture on the respective planet's facts and history. This would likely have worked better as a ROM extras, or simply dropped altogether. It's always nice to offer something educational, but this isn't very entertaining. Not sure what drugs they were taking when they thought up this one...
E.T. cast and crew reunited
Moving onto disc two, here is where it starts to get confusing between the 2-disc and 3-disc sets. In addition to the 1982 cut of the film on both editions, the 2-disc set offers a featurette not on the 3-disc set. However, it is of little consequence, as The Making of E.T. Is essentially a 24-minute "greatest hits" version of the full doc on the 3-disc set. (Note that the back packaging on the 2-disc set is once again erroneous, as the full-length documentary "The Evolution and Creation of E.T." Isnot included here, only this "mini" version.) While certainly a far cry from the old Bouzereau 2-hour laserdisc documentary, this is still a perfectly fine retrospective on the creation of a landmark film. Given such a short time frame in which to document such a complex, often fascinating production, we get a few brief bits on the casting (including a cute screen test of Henry Thomas), lots of playful behind-the-scenes footage, and a nice little 2001 reunion of the cast and crew.
The rest of the material on the 2-disc set is also included on the 3-disc set, if configured differently. All of the following are included on the second disc of the 2-disc set, and on the third disc of the 3-disc set. The Reunion is an 18-minute extended coda on the impact the film had on all involved. There is some overlapping of comments from Spielberg and friends as seen in the shorter "making-of" on the 2-disc set, but it all kinda warms your heart and made me feel real fuzzy inside. Awwwww! Next up is a fairly extensive Designs, Photographs and Marketing gallery, divided into six subsections: "E.T. Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux," "E.T. Designs by Carlo Rambaldi," "Spaceship Designs by Ralph McQuarrie," "Designs by Production Illustrator Ed Verreaux," "Production Photographs" and "Marketing E.T.". Containing a little over 100 stills, these are all video montages that total nearly 18 minutes of screen time, which would have been fine except for one major annoyance. Universal has decided for some unknown reason to disable the still, fast forward and rewind capabilities, so you have no control over any of these galleries. Very frustrating. What is the point of putting up such great stills if the user can't stop and enjoy them?
Rounding out the shared extras on both sets is the film's 2002 re-release theatrical trailer in non-anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 2.0 surround and a DVD promo spot for the upcoming Back to the Future trilogy (no other E.T. trailers are provided.) Also included are some onscreen production notes that are a bit more extensive than those printed on the enclosed 8-page foldout, basic cast and crew filmographies, and a little ditty called Special Announcements. Here you'll find three new 2002 TV spots featuring E.T., for the Special Olympics, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and Universal Studios theme parks.
Now, how about that 3-disc set? All the same extras from the 2-disc set are here as noted above, and I suspect at the last minute Universal simply slapped the 2-disc set together (to appease Spielberg wanting to offer both versions on the cheaper version) but didn't have time to change the back packaging. (This theory would seem to be supported by the non-Region 1 2-disc versions, which don't include the 1982 cut on the second disc but an amalgam of features from the box set instead.) The third disc in this big set is reserved just for the extras, so what do we get that's actually different?
First, let's start with the second disc of the 3-disc set, which actually includes it's own bonus "featurette" not included on the 2-disc version. E.T.: A Look Back is actually a 38-minute Bouzereau retrospective on Spielberg's reflections on perhaps his most popular creating. Featuring more new interview footage with Spielberg, this not only gives us more insight into E.T., but some perspective on Spielberg's entire canon . This one is a real nice surprise, as I certainly didn't expect something this extensive on Spielberg solo.
Now, onto disc three proper. While the excellent 2-hour laserdisc documentary (also by Bouzereau) is not here, he has essentially reedited and updated it for this box set. The main attraction is the 50-minute The Evolution and Creation of E.T., And excellent "expanded" version of the featurette on 2-disc set. With a whole extra half hour to breath, the added detail is most welcome, especially an expanded look at the casting process and much more extensive behind-the-scenes footage. One drawback is that we only get excerpts of deleted scenes (such as Harrison Ford's excised cameo) and I would have also liked all of the screen test footage as seen in the laserdisc doc. Also gone is most of the interview footage Bouzereau conducted for the laser, although the all-new 2002 material just about makes up for it, and everyone you expect is here: Spielberg, writer Melissa Mathieson, producer Kathleen Kennedy, crew members including Ed Verreaux Allan Daviau and Carlo Rambaldi, and the cast including Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Robert McNaughton, Dee Wallace and Peter Coyote. More satisfying than the shorter "making-of" version, you can probably just start here and skip the other one.
Also included is another welcome look at the music of John Williams, the 10-minute The Music Of "E.T." - A Discussion With John Williams. A bit dry as it is mostly a Williams talking head, E.T. Is still one of Williams finest achievements, and since he rarely gives interviews this is a nice bonus. Highlights include rare footage of Williams at work on the film back in 1982 and scoring sessions for the new version. Combined with the new "Live" score and the premiere featurette on disc one, this is a great little triple bill.
Okay, now some caveats. While the 3-disc set does include both the film's original 1982 theatrical trailer in addition to the 2002 release trailer (the 1982 spot is not included in the 2-disc set), I would have liked a more extensive gallery of promos. Where are all the re-release and TV spots created for ET's rather incredible 2-year run in theaters back in 1982? This movie played and played and played, so it would have been nice to get something more than just two measly trailers. Also missing are more of the film's deleted scenes as seen in the laserdisc box set release, aside from excerpts in the documentary. While Universal has indicated we may see some of this material via the Total Axess web portal (see the ROM section below), these kinds of video-based extras would have made a great edition to the DVD proper, and could easily have fit despite all the extras already included.
Rounding out the Gift Set is the actual box itself. As good as the new documentary, interviews and additional featurettes are, asking fans to shell out $70 seems a bit steep just for some bonus material (especially since the 1982 version is now included on the 2-disc set). Yet you do get a lot of non-disc based extras here that, if bought separately, would certainly exceed $70 bucks. To be quite honest, I was very wary of this box set at first, but since I'm a geek collector at heart I got totally suckered in when I actually got this rather extravagant package in my hands. It does look great...the foldout "four-pack" has room for the bonus soundtrack CD also included, and unlike the odd 2-disc packaging, actually has a spine with the words "E.T." on it, so you'll be able to find it on the shelf. Other goodies include the hardcover Laurent Bouzereau book E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: The Illustrated Story of the Film and The Filmmakers, a useless film senitype, and a certificate of authenticity. Despite the price, it is hard not to get that goofy collector grin on your face when you open this one up. But truth be told, the extras themselves are indeed quite good, but whether this is really worth $70 retail to you should be taken under serious
After all the buildup, anticipation, controversy and complaints, E.T. makes his long-awaited debut on DVD. By all means, the 2-disc set is a very nice release. Both the transfers and audio mixes are quite nice for either version, although I found the supplements fine if lacking except on the 3-disc set, and the removal of the DTS track perplexing. The true E.T. collector will probably want to opt for the big box, but all the accessories (film cell, CD, etc.) may feel like overkill. I suppose what you ultimately end up choosing depends on just how many Reese's Pieces you have saved up in that piggy bank. But either way you go, don't let all the controversy prevent you from at least checking out E.T.'s long-awaited arrival on DVD. It's better than the negative hype would have you believe. Now, if only Universal could get that packaging right... True collectors will likely want to opt for the big 3-disc box set.
no loomis make your selection noting that the Ultimate set and the 2 disc set R1 are both OOP and going fast! 
