Ahhh, the ‘chick flick’ to end all ‘chick flicks.’ How many of you remember “Pretty Woman?” How many of you admit to having SEEN “Pretty Woman?” (Thought so…) Well, I admit to having not only seen it, but actually liking it. After all, it was one of the last really great Garry Marshall films, one of the last really funny Julia Roberts films, and one of the last… well uhhh… whatever it was that has kept Richard Gere making movies for so many years. (I kid, he actually wasn’t too bad in this one…) Though I doubt most of you haven’t at least heard of “Pretty Woman”, I will give you a little bit of a refresher course on the plot. Roberts plays a (shock, gasp) hooker who is set up to hang out with Gere who plays a (shock, gasp) billionaire. To keep it simple, the two meet, fall in love, have a falling out, and then fall in love again. It’s a story that’s been done before, but is done really well here. It is a combination fish out of water story (hooker in a rich man’s world) and “Pygmalion” (street urchin learning to better herself) and the result is a highly implausible, yet refreshingly funny film.

Touchstone Home Entertainment is releasing “Pretty Woman” in an all-new 15th Anniversary Edition (has it really been 15 years?) this week, and all the women (and men) who enjoyed the film over the years will certainly look forward to all this DVD has to offer. Of course, the film has been updated with a great transfer and new commentary from director Garry Marshall. He’s a pretty talkative guy and offers some interesting little tidbits about the production.

But that’s just the beginning; hardcore fans of the film will enjoy all the other extra features, which include a blooper reel, a look at the film’s wrap party and a production featurette from way back in 1990. You even get a glimpse of part of the promotional tour for the film and a music video from Natalie Cole.

Guys who don’t get into ‘chick flicks’ will still enjoy seeing Julia Roberts back when she was JULIA ROBERTS, and chicks… well… the chicks will get into it no matter what. If you don’t already have a copy of “Pretty Woman” on DVD, you certainly can’t go wrong by picking this one up.

Directed by: Garry Marshall
Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts
Extras: Blooper Reel, “Live From the Wrap Party”, “LA – The Pretty Woman Tour”, All New Audio Commentary by Director Garry Marshall, 1990 Production Featurette, “Wild Women Do” Performed by Natalie Cole, Theatrical Trailer
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1) Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Touchstone
Release Date: 8/30/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Sexuality and Some Language)
Website

We'll give Pretty Woman: 15th Anniversary a B+.