Full Metal Jackets: World’s Longest Runway Edition

I’ve been a little negligent recently in keeping up with the latest Blu-ray SteelBook offerings from around the world, perhaps because so many of them have been announced, sometimes in multiple variations. For example, this summer’s muscle-headed blockbuster sequel ‘Fast and Furious 6’ is a particularly confusing case (no pun intended) with scant details available.

USA

Available at: Amazon
Release date: Unknown
Price: $23.99
Region code: Most likely region-free

Honestly, I don’t know what Universal is doing with this movie. Here in the United States, the studio hasn’t even confirmed a release date for the Blu-ray yet. However, given that a so-called “Best of the Decade Collection” re-release of the original ‘The Fast and the Furious‘ comes out on October 15th, it seems to me that the new sequel might be timed to coincide with that. On the other hand, some rumors claim a November release.

At this moment, Amazon only has one listing for the movie on Blu-ray, and it’s described as a SteelBook. Does that mean that all Blu-ray copies of the movie in this country will be SteelBooks, without a regular keepcase option? I have no idea. Unfortunately, the only artwork that Amazon offers is an obvious placeholder image with a Blu-ray banner pasted on top of the theatrical poster (with the theatrical release date printed on it). It’s not even the right shape for a Blu-ray case. There’s no chance that this will be the actual SteelBook art.

Meanwhile, Walmart’s listing for the Blu-ray contains the following very low-res image that, if you look closely, says “Limited Edition Collectible SteelBook.” Strangely, that’s the only reference to this being a SteelBook on the Walmart page. My assumption is that the SteelBook will be distributed through multiple retailers with this artwork.

The design is kind of generic, but adequate.

Walmart will allow you to pre-purchase the Blu-ray now, happily taking your money even though the disc doesn’t have an official release date. How nice of them!

UK

Available at: Amazon UK
Release date: Sept. 16, 2013
Price: £21.50
Region code: Most likely region-free

Over on the other side of the pond, the ‘Fast and Furious 6’ Blu-ray was already released on September 16th with a different SteelBook case.

Overall, I think that this one has a nicer layout and design, but the images of the cars look weirdly cartoony, as if this were a videogame rather than a movie.

If you order from UK retailer Zavvi, you can get the SteelBook with a set of exclusive art cards. Ooooooooh… art cards…

Just to muddy the waters a little more, the standard UK Blu-ray is described as being an “Extended Action Packed Edition” of the movie, but the SteelBook makes no reference to being an extended cut. Does the SteelBook have the theatrical cut, or is it the same extended cut disc inside? Will the American release also be extended? I can’t find any straight answers on this.

Frankly, I don’t find either SteelBook design terribly exciting, but it’s a moot point for me. SteelBook or no SteelBook, I was never likely to buy this movie anyway. The franchise doesn’t do much for me. Your mileage may vary. (Get it? ‘Cuz it’s a movie about cars, and I said “mileage.” Har har…)

If you’re more of a fan than I am, both Amazon UK and Zavvi will ship to the United States.

2 comments

  1. NJScorpio

    I will be buying this title, and annoyingly have it sit just behind my Fast & Furious collection box set (just as I did when the released a new Resident Evil after I bought THAT box set).

  2. The same Steelbook is also available in Belgium (sans cards) for €22, which is a little cheaper than £21.50. I can always send this to America if there’s anyone who wants it. And, to answer your question, Josh, the Steelbook also has the extended cut.

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