First off, I have to mention that this review is reviewing the actual DVD content, setup and usability … not (necessarily) the actual movie. For the record, I really enjoy the movie. I think Redford and Pitt gave excellent performances in Spy Game. As for the Collector’s Edition, WIDESCREEN DVD … well, let’s look at the details.
The techno/pop music kicks in and the DVD starts with a brief ‘computer login’ style access menu. Don’t worry though; there is no need for a password as you are just along for the ride as Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) logs in. After 25 seconds of key movie images you are automatically brought to a ‘Main Menu’ with four choices:
MAIN MENU:
Scenes
Bonus Materials
Languages
Play
I like DVD menus like this because they are clean, intuitive and useable. They are however, limited. There is no setup menu so for video (WIDESCREEN) and sound ... more on this later. If you select the ‘Scenes’ menu from main menu you are taken through a short segway while the new menu loads. In the ‘Scenes’ menu you will find your typical every-4-scenes break down, ie. 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20 and 21-22.
Another short segway and we are transported from the main menu to the ‘Bonus Materials’ menu. This DVD offers several bonus features and though not all are worth watching, some are. Below is a list of what is included in the DVD ‘Bonus Materials’.
‘Bonus Materials’ Menu 1
Clandestine Ops
Feature Commentaries
Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
Script-to-Storyboard Process Featuring the Director
Requirements for CIA Acceptance
Theatrical Trailer
MORE
‘Bonus Materials’ Menu 2
DVD-ROM Featuring Universal Total Axess
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers
Spy Game Soundtrack
Universal Showcase
DVD Newsletter
The deleted and alternate scenes, which are included in the ‘Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary’ menu, are certainly worth watching. Be sure to use the (very useful) ‘Play All’ function!
There are two commentary tracks you can listen to while watching the movie. One commentary is by director Tony Scott and the other is by producers Marc Abraham and Douglas Wick. Both are interesting so give them both a listen.
The ‘Bonus Materials’ that should be classified as ‘Boring Materials’ are ‘Script-to-Storyboard Process Featuring the Director’, 11 pages of ‘Production Notes’, ‘Spy Game Soundtrack’ and the ‘DVD Newsletter’. These four items serve absolutely no informational or entertaining purpose, so far as I could tell.
Yet another segway and we move from the main menu to the ‘Languages’ menu. There is the ability to change from 5.1Dolby to 5.1DTS however, it shouldn’t be included in this menu. I now must take back what I said about the DVD main menu being intuitive. The ‘Languages’ menu should have been titled ’Setup’ menu.
Overall, I like this DVD usability and function. The aesthetics are good and the menus are easily workable. The designers could have done two things to make this DVD near perfect. One, kill extraneous extras. Two, call the ‘Languages’ menu a ‘Setup’ menu.
The two features that are my favorite are the most simple. One, an easily missed feature on this DVD, is the ability to move from the top menu item to the bottom menu item by hitting the up-arrow on my remote. Two, a 'Play' feature on the main menu that actaully starts the movie instead of asking me what mode I want to be in. I guess I am easily pleased in that regard.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, or LXG, brings together seven literary "heroes" of the 19th Century to defend the English Empire from a terrorist bent on starting a world war. The movie turns out to be a solid effort with some twists and turns. If you like a fun action movie and don't mind corny puns, then go ahead and see this movie.
Warning: Contains spoilers!
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is based on a series of graphic novels by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill.
LXG joins together seven characters derived from other literary works set in and around the late 19th century. This group is brought together by a British Secret Service agent named M. The main character is H. Rider Haggard's Allan Quartermain, played by Sean Connery. Quartermain is known as a sharp hunter who discovered King Solomon's Mines. The next member is Jules Verne's Captain Nemo, played by Naseerudin Shah. Nemo is known as the ruthless captain of the Nautilus. Next appeared Bram Stoker's Wilhelmina Harker, played by Peta Wilson. Harker was attacked by Stoker's Dracula and now is a vampire herself. Next character is based on H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man, played by Tony Curran. The actual character name is Rodney Skinner, who stole the formula before the original Invisible Man died. The next character is Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Henry Jeckyll, played by Jason Flemyng. Of course, he turns into the monstrous Mr. Hyde when he consumes his secret formula. The next character is America's contribution, which is Detective Tom Sawyer, played by Shane West. Where most other characters have one ability or quality that stands out, Sawyer seems to be an understudy to Quartermain. Finally, the last character we meet is Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray, played by Stuart Townsend. Gray sold his soul to the Devil for everlasting youth in exchange a picture of Gray grows older. Now that the characters are introduced, we can get on with the story!
LXG was formed to save the British Empire and indeed the world from a war that pitted each nation against each other: a world war. The villian, named the Fantom, is a gun dealer who would profit from a world war. The seven travel to Venice, Italy via the Nautilus to save a meeting of Europe's leaders, who have convened to discuss peace.
In completing the mission in Venice, LXG finds that one of it's members, Dorian Gray has turned against them and joined with M, who is actually Sherlock Holmes' arch-villian Professor James Moriarty. Just a sidenote, how could they put Professor Moriarty in the movie and not have Holmes in it himself?
The rest of the LXG hunts down Gray and Moriarty in their lair in Mongolia. Moriarty and Gray both get their due but in the process, Quartermain meets an untimely end.
The story itself was interesting but not necessarily executed correctly. The ction scenes weren't of Matrix quality, but they were solid. The characters are developed by showing their weaknesses, for example, the Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde compulsion and Quartermain's inability to get over his son's death.
The main problem I saw was the dialogue. The first hour of the movie was who could make the most/worst puns of the movie. By the way, Connery's character did with his "The Fantom?...How operatic" line.
I give the movie two stars of four, but would be two and a half without the corny dialogue. This movie would be a good one to wait for on cable.
Charlie’s Angles 2 has the subtitle ‘Full Throttle’ … I beg to differ. CA2 is NOT a fast paced movie … certainly not full throttle, anyway. However, it does boast several high intensity action sequences that are over the edge, unbelievable and a whole lot of fun.
CA2 opens with an action scene that really sets the pace for the whole movie. The scene is incredibly unbelievable but very well done … and damn cool. It involves the threesome and their rescued U.S. marshal dodging two rockets by driving off of a bridge/dam and then skydiving into a falling helicopter that is unfolding and starting up. Seeing this scene as one sequence instead of broken up over the theatrical trailer for CA2 was amazing. The rest of the movie has more excellent stunt, CGI and wire work. My only complaint about most of the action scenes is they use a semi-bullet-time slow down FAR to often. It makes a few of the scenes very choppy.
OK, now onto the humor and sex aspect of the movie. For those who have watched the first CA movie, you are in for more of the same provocative wardrobe and sexual innuendos. For those who haven’t watched CA1, be prepared for a lot of skimpy outfits and sexual references. As for the humor in the movie … Bernie Mac is good but not as funny as Bill Murray was in the first Angles movie.
And last we should talk about Demi Moore. Her performance COMPLETELY upstages the performances of the current three Angles. Demi plays a revenge seeking ex-Angel who plots to steal and sell two important rings from the U.S. government. This role is perfect for, what is said to be, a Demi comeback. Welcome back, Demi.
My opinion about this movie is a bit split. I was a little bored with what was happening sometimes and very involved in other scenes. The plot and flow of the movie is, at best, mediocre. The action and the acting however, make this movie spectacular. If you are an action junky … go see this movie. If you need a little substance and character development in a movie … stay home.