"Zodiac: The Director's Cut" is yet another double-dip DVD release, only this one is actually worth seeking out as the disc is LOADED with extras and a new 4 minute longer cut of the film.

"Zodiac" is a painstakingly detailed account of the search for the now legendary serial killer known as the Zodiac. While some viewers may be turned off by the needlessly long 2 1/2 hour run time and the lack of any conclusion, others will find much to admire here. In addition to some truly skillful direction by film geek favorite David Fincher, gorgeous cinematography by Harris Savides, and an impressive recreation of the time period by production designer Donald Graham Burt, the screenplay by James Vanderbilt is what makes this investigative thriller come to life. If someone were to tell me that a 2 1/2 hour plus film about investigators looking through files and papers, interviewing witnesses, and trying to piece together clues would be engaging, I would have thought they were crazy. However, the truth is that Vanderbilt has crafted a well researched script that not only gives viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the murders, but tackles the frustration that the police and city were going through in failing to find the killer. Sure, the script could have been tightened and edited a tad, but that's a minor quibble. The cast is also worthy of praise. Jake Gyllenhaal, the underrated Mark Ruffalo, Brian Cox, Chloe Sevigny all shine here. Robert Downey Jr., while fine in his role, doesn't have much to do here as his character is underwritten.

The 16:9 widescreen picture quality is sadly lacking. I noticed a lot of grain and the dark scenes tended to look too murky. I'm very curious how the HD print compares. The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is generally solid all around. The music, the dialogue, and sounds of the cities sounded clear to this reviewer.

Disc 1: * Commentary track with David Fincher. An informative and detailed track in which Fincher goes into great depth about why he chose certain shots and visuals. * Commentary track by Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt, and James Ellroy. The group talk about how the script came about, the ending, screening the film to retired cops in SF, and other fun tidbits. Disc 2: * Theatrical trailer * "Previsualization" is a series of CGI storyboards for the Blue Rock Springs, Lake Berryessa and San Francisco sequences. * "Zodiac Deciphered" is a 7 part 54 minute featurette on how certain set pieces were done, locations the crew shot at, and how several shots were pulled off. * "Prime Suspect" is a 42 1/2 minute look at Arthur Leigh Allen. Viewers get many facts about the man as well as interviews with several people who came into contact with him. * "This Is The Zodiac Speaking" is a 4 part one hour and forty-two minute featurette on the murder locations of Lake Herman Road, Blue Rock Springs, Lake Berryessa, and San Francisco. Highlights include various photographs and interviews with real investigators.

"Zodiac: Director's Cut" isn't noticeably different from the theatrical cut, but this new 2-disc set contains a ton of fascinating extras that provide even more insight into the case. Recommended.