Blu-Ray Review: ‘Dirty Dancing: Limited Keepsake Edition’

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CHICAGO – How does one review a lavish “Keepsake Edition” of a beloved hit? Does it matter what the critic thinks of the movie itself? It’s not like anyone out there will be buying a gift set such as this having not even seen the film, so the opinion of a potential buyer is pretty much set in stone. With that in mind, if you love “Dirty Dancing” as so many do, it’s hard to think of anything missing from Lionsgate’s new “Limited Keepsake Edition”.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

I’m old enough to remember when the cult of “Dirty Dancing” started and to still have a cassette tape of the unbelievably successful soundtrack sitting in a box in the attic. “Dirty Dancing” wasn’t just a hit movie, it was a cultural phenomenon for those of who were the right age. Personally, I was surprised to note that the film hasn’t held up as well as the rose-colored glasses of memory might have you believe, but I hadn’t seen it in years. If you’re one of those people who know it by heart, it’s hard to believe that you’ll be dissatisifed by this excellent gift idea. Yes, the girls who squealed when Patrick Swayze gyrated his hips are now probably mothers and it’s hard to think of a better Mother’s Day gift for those who longed for their own “time of their life” at Kellerman’s.

Dirty Dancing: Limited Keepsake Edition was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on May 4th, 2010.
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video

“Dirty Dancing” was huge back then and, in some ways, it’s still just as big. Look no further than the advertisements included in the “Limited Keepsake Edition,” flyers that sell t-shirts of “Johnny Castle,” “Kellerman’s,” and, of course, “Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner”. There’s even a coupon for $50 off a 2-night stay at the Mountain Lake Hotel AKA “The Real Kellerman’s From Dirty Dancing”.

Of course, vacations and t-shirts aren’t included in the purchase price of “Dirty Dancing: Limited Keepsake Edition” but plenty of bonus material, a hardcover book, and a collectible case are a part of the nostalgic deal. The “Keepsake Book” is basically a picture book but it does include a few quotes, bios, bits of trivia, and the lyrics to the Kellerman’s anthem. Impress your friends and sing it during recess.

Dirty Dancing: Limited Keepsake Edition was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on May 4th, 2010. Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video

As for the film itself, it hasn’t been as lovingly remastered as you might expect. It’s not that “Dirty Dancing” looks bad on Blu-ray but it’s not overly impressive, getting the HD job done but also showing its age a bit with some visual degradation. A Digital Copy of the film is also included.

Not surprisingly, a lot of the special features of this “Limited Keepsake Edition” are framed as a tribute to its recently-passed star Patrick Swayze. Fans of his, fans of the movie, fans of ’80s nostalgia will need to set aside hours to get through them all. Cancel your Mother’s Day plans for this truly impressive list of bonus material:

New Special Features:

o “Kellerman’s: Reliving the Locations of the Film” featurette
o “Patrick Swayze Tribute” featurette
o “Dirty Dancing: The Phenomenon” featurette
o In Memoriam
o Fan Reel
o “The Rhythm of the Dancing” featurette
o “Dancing to the Music” featurette
o Never-Before-Seen Stills Gallery
o Eleanor’s Personal Shooting Script

Imported Special Features
o Audio commentary with Eleanor
o Vintage featurette
o Jennifer Grey Screen Test
o Audio commentary with Kenny Ortega, Miranda Garrison, Jeff Jur, Hilary Rosenfeld and David Chapman
o Jennifer Grey Interview
o Miranda Garrison Interview
o Kenny Ortega Interview
o Eleanor Interview
o Emile Ardolino Tribute
o “Hungry Eyes” Video
o “She’s Like the Wind” Video
o “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” Video
o Theatrical Trailer
o Trivia Track
o Original Screen Tests (Patrick & Jennifer)
o “Dirty Dancing with Patrick” featurette
o Tribute to Jerry Orbach
o Deleted Scenes
o Alternate Scenes
o Extended Scenes
o Outtakes
o Multi-Angle Dance Sequence
o “The Classic Story On Stage” featurette
o Interactive Photo Gallery
o Dirty Dancing: Live in Concert
o HD Theatrical trailer

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com