Fulvue Drive-In.com
Current Reviews
In Stores Soon
 
In Stores Now
 
DVD Reviews, SACD Reviews Essays Interviews Contact Us Meet the Staff
An Explanation of Our Rating System Search  
Category:    Home > Reviews > Drama > Military > Navy > Legal > Stage Play > A Few Good Men (Sony Blu-ray)

A Few Good Men (Blu-ray)

 

Picture: A-     Sound: B     Extras: C     Film: B-

 

 

Rob Reiner has been a successful filmmaker, made the transition from acting to that profession and even helped to create Castle Rock, but the journeyman filmmaker has been on a streak of bad films lately and it is interesting to see what happens when one of his film’s work after a long time.  In the case of his 1992 hit A Few Good Men, the film’s first obstacle was overcoming its Cold War roots.  In that context, what happens is even more powerful and dark, but the Aaron Sorkin screenplay (from his play) manages to have a power all its own despite the fall of the USSR.

 

When a fellow soldier gets killed, a team of young, ambitious attorneys (Tom Cruise and Demi Moore) conduct both an investigation and intend to prosecute any and all in their way.  As they uncover more and more clues, they uncover the “Code Red” concept, secret traditions and a potential cover up that could shake the very Navy they are sworn to protect.  This goes all the way to hardcore veteran officer (Jack Nicholson, in yet another classic performance) who may have the most to gain and loose.

 

Thought he film lapses at times into shades of 1980s Brat Pack moments, the film’s plusses outweigh such dated moments as the mystery builds up in a way that is more than just about “who done it?” but why.  The result was one of the biggest hits of Reiner’s career and with a cast that also includes Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollack and the late, great J.T. Walsh, the film has only appreciated in value.  That is why the Blu-ray upgrade is such good news.

 

I have been unhappy with all previous copies of this film all the way to DVD, but the 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is a big improvement over such previous versions that I was transported back to the first time I saw it in 35mm.  It does not hurt one bit that the cinematography is by the amazing Robert Richardson, A.S.C. that is among the best camerawork any Director of Photography has ever delivered Reiner.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 from the previous DVD is back and still a disaster, trying in vein to upgrade the original theatrical Dolby SR (Spectral Recording) analog mix, destroying it instead.  The new PCM 16/48 5.1 mix is the kind of upgrade the film needed all along, sounding very good for its age, better than the PCM on the old 12” LaserDisc and making this a fine match for the fine picture quality.  This is one of Marc Shaiman’s better scores too.

 

Extras include a documentary Code Of Conduct, feature length commentary by Reiner and From Stage To Screen featurette with Reiner and Sorkin.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


Marketplace


 
 Copyright © MMIII through MMX fulvuedrive-in.com