Young Guns

It's hard to believe that Young Guns, which retooled the Billy the Kid story for a troupe of erstwhile Brat Packers led by Emilio Estevez, is already 15 years old. The film's loyal coterie of fans will probably be delighted with this special edition, even though the extras package isn't as comprehensive as it might have been. Mirage Production's documentary on the real Billy offers nothing that hasn't already appeared in History Channel programs, but a plethora of entertaining factoids can be seen in subtitle form during the movie by engaging the "Trivia Track" on the Western-style menu, designed by Mirage. The commentary by co-stars Lou Diamond Phillips, Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemaszko is casually jocular but quite informative. Phillips, for example, pokes fun at Mulroney's Method approach to his character, which apparently included a deliberate neglect of personal hygiene. All three are effusive in their praise of director Chris Cain, whom Mulroney describes as "a real cowboy." At one point, Phillips waxes enthusiastic about a deleted scene in which Siemaszko's character learned that his mother was a prostitute. That reference, however, reminds the viewer that this special edition is lacking in outtakes, deleted or alternate scenes and behind-the-scenes footage--all of which, presumably, were available to the special edition producers. These omissions aside, this disc should find favor with the movie's devotees. --Ed Hulse