I have heard so many mixed opinions on this film that
it was a challenge to approach this with an objective point of view. Yes as many describe
the film is riddled with superfluous costuming and is really just one great big visual
feast. I have to say though that I thought the film also held itself up with the plot.
While the plot isn’t terribly complex I don’t think a complex plot would have
done the film justice. There is just enough story top keep you interested and enough
visual treats to really keep your eyes on the screen. .
Jennifer Lopez plays Catherine Dean a psychotherapist who is working on a very unique
breakthrough in therapy for patients who are comatose. Basically the psychotherapist has
the ability to enter the mind of the patient and explore and even restore their mind.
However the danger is that if the therapist believes that what they are experiencing is
real they can become trapped in the other person’s mind.
The film is based on a serial killer that captures young women and locks them in a
watertight room, slowly filling the room until they drown. He then performs strange
rituals including hanging himself (from hooks in his skin) over the top of their dead
bodies while he watches a video tape of them drowning.
When Carl Stargher (Vincent D’Onofrio) is finally caught it is but an hour or so
too late as he has a very rare form of schizophrenia and has fallen into a coma which he
will probably never come out of. The FBI decides to try the Campbell centre’s radical
therapy to find out where he is hiding his current victim before she drowns.
Basically from here you can expect quite a show. The inner workings of the
schizophrenic mind are a complex thing and between Catherine and the FBI’s Peter
Novack (Vince Vaughn) the task is set to be quite a ride.
A word of warning if you have a weak stomach there are times when you could be forced
to close your eyes.
So how does this transfer hold up?
So how does this transfer hold up?
...  |
VIDEO
I was also impressed with the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The
transfer is predominantly sharp and clear throughout. There are the occasions where the
image falls short of perfect sharpness and a couple of instances of grain but nothing too
distracting. I would say I was basically happy with the transfer but it was just short of
reference quality.
Shadow detail is excellent throughout and at no time could I find anything missing, or
at least missing even the slightest detail.
Similarly the colour palette is exquisite or even perfect would be a good word to
describe it. The natural scenes have a little muted tone about them, which is then
contrasted and offset by the beautifully rich colours from the scenes inside the character
minds. It was refreshing to be treated to such a vast array of exquisite colours with
scenery and costumes to match.
There were no mpeg artefacts and only a couple of very minor instance of shimmering,
but this is to be expected with such complex images.
 ... |
AUDIO
Even thought there are two Audio tracks for this film I
listened mainly to the Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Sadly this wasn’t a
heavy audio-based film. Mostly consisting of dialogue, which was clear throughout.
The audio does seem to be recorded rather low and I got a
huge shock when I switched back to the TV to find the audio so loud.
While the film isn’t heavily based on effects there was a frequent use of the
surrounds and at times some quite heavy use of the LFE channel.
The opening scene would remind you of an Arabic film and the basis of the soundtrack
from Howard Shore has reflects this. At times though the score is a little more fast paced
but at all times is befitting of the on screen action.
EXTRAS
- Dolby Digital Canyon Trailer:
always a treat!
- 2x Theatrical trailers: 2 superb quality trailers
- Isolated Music Score: I found this quite good to listen to as
background music, but I also find these isolated tracks a little annoying in that in
between the score you have no audio at all which can sometimes be a lengthy wait.
- Audio Commentary (Tarsem Singh Director): This is a very fast paced
audio commentary from a very excited director speaking about his first film. There is a
lot of background information here and with the rate that he is speaking it can be hard to
try and digest everything.
- Deleted Scenes x8: watch the film first!
- Featurette: Style as Substance (12 mins): Cast and Crew interviews
concentrating on the creative aspect of the director. (Which is major factor in the film)
- Featurette: Visual Effects Vignettes: This is a fantastic feature
and consists of 6 small featurettes presented in a multiple angle view. If you want to see
something very original check this out.
- Filmographies Cast and Crew
- Quiz Empathy test: a series of multiple choice questions to complete
the quiz.
- Brain Map: a map of the brain and it’s various functions
- DVD Credits
| PICTURE
QUALITY |
9.5/10 great |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
9/10 inspiring
8/10 some great surround happening here |
| EXTRAS |
9/10 the best line up
I’ve seen in a long time |
| OVERALL |
9/10 a favourite in my
collection |
Review Equipment
TV: GE 68cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: Pioneer 737
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V595a
Speakers:-
Fronts: Wharfedale Diamond R6 (on a pair of custom made stands you'd KILL for)
Centre: Venturi
Rears: Sony bookshelf
Sub: M&K v75
- Reviewed 26th April 2001
* jpeg files for internet promotion use
only. Copyright© exists on all aspects of these files by Roadshow Home Entertainment
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