Carell grows up in ’40 Year-Old Virgin’

The raucous box office smash “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” (Universal, $30) leads a pack of new and vintage comedies arriving on DVD today.

“Virgin,” which manages to be extremely raunchy and sweet simultaneously, gives Steve Carell (“The Office,” “Anchorman”) the chance to be a comedic leading man in this tale of a shy average Joe who works at an electronics store and has yet to find true love. When his co-workers (including Paul Rudd) learn he’s still a virgin, they decide to rectify the situation. Catherine Keener plays the woman who eventually wins his heart.

The film is filled with several memorable set pieces, most especially when Carell’s Andy is talked into having his Sasquatch hairy chest waxed.

“Virgin” is being released in its theatrical R-rated version, as well as an unrated one that adds 17 minutes to the film. However, “Virgin” tends to drag under the weight of the extra footage. The DVD also features numerous deleted scenes, gag reels, a behind-the-scenes look at the waxing scene -- Carell really endured the ordeal for the sequence -- a rapid-fire montage of the actors’ ad-libs and amusing (and R-rated) commentary from director/co-writer Judd Apatow, Carell and several other members of the cast.

“Kronk’s New Groove” (Disney, $30) is a cut-above the majority of Disney’s made-for-video sequels to popular feature animated films. “Kronk’s” is a spinoff of “The Emperor’s New Groove” that focuses on the lovable but dimwitted henchman who begins a new life as the head chef at a restaurant. Patrick Warburton supplies the voice of Kronk. Extras include two interactive games for the kiddies and an offbeat behind-the-scenes look at the film with Warburton and directors Saul Blinkoff and Elliot Bour.

The remake of the 1976 comedy classic “The Bad News Bears” (Paramount, $30) should have been retitled “The Bad Language Bears.” Though this tale about a hapless Little League team that becomes a champion under the guidance of a hard-driving, foul-mouthed exterminator (Billy Bob Thornton) is rated PG-13, it certainly isn’t a family film.

The DVD is loaded with extras including featurettes, outtakes, gag reels and decent commentary from director Richard Linklater and writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.

There’s really not much difference between the 2002 DVD release of Mel Brooks’ Oscar-winning 1968 farce “The Producers” and the new two-disc deluxe edition ($20). It’s simply a tie-in with the musical version of the film that opens Friday. Both editions include a lengthy documentary on the making of the original film, photo gallery, sketch gallery and a deleted scene. The two-disc DVD features a glimpse at the new film.

Far more enjoyable is “Airplane! -- The Don’t Call Me Shirley Edition” (Paramount, $20). The 1980 spoof of disaster films that starred Robert Hays, and Julie Hagerty, changed the careers of such dramatic actors as Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves and Robert Stack. There’s breezy commentary from writer-directors Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker and a trivia track. The “long-haul” version of the film is terrific fun with its gonzo new interviews with the cast and crew and deleted scenes.

Roger Corman produced the cult 1975 futuristic satire “Death Race 2000” (Buena Vista, $20). David Carradine and a pre-”Rocky” Sylvester Stallone star in Paul Bartel’s surreal comedy about an international sport in which drivers score points for hitting pedestrians on a cross-country race.

The special edition includes a retrospective and enjoyable commentary from Corman and costar Mary Woronov.

Corman also produced the 1979 hit musical comedy “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” (Buena Vista, $20) about the rock-loving students at Vince Lombardi High School that take on the strict new principal. P.J. Soles, the Ramones, Woronov, Clint Howard and Dey Young star. Allan Arkush directed. The special edition includes new commentary with Corman and Young, a fun retrospective, audio outtakes of the Ramones at the Roxy and vintage commentary with Arkush and others.

Also new this week:

“King Kong -- Peter Jackson’s Production Diaries” (Universal, $40): These informative and often disarming 54 video diaries the Oscar-winning director made during the production of “King Kong” originally appeared on the film’s website while “Kong” was in production in New Zealand. The set also includes a scrapbook and art prints.

“Godzilla-Final Wars” (Sony, $25): The famous Japanese monster celebrates his 50th anniversary as a screen icon in the most expensive “Godzilla” movie to date. It’s too long at 125 minutes, but it’s always fun to watch Godzilla wreak havoc. Extras include a behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the Godzilla action sequences, performed by a man in a suit.

“The Island” (DreamWorks, $30): This futuristic sci-fi thriller was drubbed by critics when it landed. Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson star. The DVD includes at look at an elaborate car chase sequence and passable commentary from director Michael Bay.

What’s coming:

Dec. 20: “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” “Four Brothers,” “Serenity,” “Must Love Dogs,” “Brothers Grimm,” “Rebound,” “Cry Wolf,” “November” “The Great Raid.”