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A DVD Review of...
  
Images (C) MGM, 2003 |
Genre: Drama
Cast: Kurt Russell, Ving Rhames, Scott Speedman, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Michele
Synopsis: Set in the Los Angeles Police Department in April 1992, Dark Blue is a dramatic thriller that takes place just days before the acquittal of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King and the subsequent L.A. riots. In this racially-charged climate,the LAPD's elite Special Investigations Squad (SIS) is assigned a high-profile quadruple homicide. As they work the case, veteran detective Eldon Perry, known for his tough street tactics and fiery temper, tutors SIS rookie Bobby Keough in the grim realities of police intimidation and corruption. Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Holland, the only man in the department willing to stand up to the SIS, threatens to end Perry's brand of singlehanded "justice" on the Los Angeles streets. While navigating through the tumultuous neighborhoods of South Central L.A., Perry and Keough must track down cold-blooded killers and face their own demons, which prove to be more ruthless than the criminals they pursue.
Film Review: After various gritty police dramas on the big screen (ala "Training Day"), Ron Shelton's "Dark Blue" hits cinemas with more of a whimper than a bang but still has its own charms. Instead of the endless steadicams and grainy
contrast techniques we've become used to thanks to the likes of Antoine Fuqua, 'Blue' opts for more conventional camera work and standard corrupt cop drama which seems more suited to television. Subplots about a failing marriage, blackmailled snitches and a young couple whose jobs make it awkward for them to be involved are standard B movie fare and whilst the good looking Scott Speedman & Michael Michele fill in the roles of that last subplot well, they aren't exactly strong performances.
So why the high rating? Very simple - Kurt Russell. This is without a doubt the best turn the actor has given in over a decade. Its a character which plays perfectly to Russell's strengths - smart ass, arrogant, charming, volatile, etc. Its like his role in "Tango & Cash" but with a realistic mean ass streak, one you can't help but eventually sympathise with. Much of the movie is Russell getting into rather shady dealings and power plays with both street crims and his dangerous boss, played with much glee by Brendan Gleeson who also turns in a solid performance. Same can't be said for Ving Rhames who has only a few scenes and whose part of what feels like a very truncated subplot, whilst Lolita Davidovich is wasted in a standard upset long-suffering wife role though thankfully gives her a sense of inner strength.
DOP Barry Peterson helps give the film its clean but realistic look, whilst the decision to set this against the LA riots ultimately leads to nothing it still makes for some interesting scenes towards the end to give us a short glimpse of the hell that Los Angeles became for a while back in 1991. The score is neither memorable nor useless either - working well with the material but never standing out. Shelton as a director drops the ball with too many scenes going nowhere and a rather awkward sense of pacing, but when he gives Russell the screen time and concentration he deserves the actor doesn't disappoint. Certainly worth checking out if only for Kurt's work - he hasn't been this good since the 80's. - Garth Franklin
"Dark Blue: Special Edition"
DVD Details In Brief (Region 1)
Rating: R
Runtime: 118mins
Versions: 16:9 Enhanced Widescreen, 4:3 Pan & Scan
Aspect Ratio: 2.35: 1 & 1.33: 1
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Language & Sub-Titles: English, Spanish, French
Audio: Commentary by Director Ron Shelton.
Documentaries: Three Featurettes
Other: Trailer, Still Gallery
Region 1 vs. Region 4: No R4 Available |
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DVD Review: While it didn't set the box-office on fire earlier this year, the Ron Shelton-directed thriller did score a small but loyal following who'll be keen to check out this release. Hopefully the film will get a wider look
in on this format as it certainly deserves it. The transfer is a solid but unspectacular piece of work - the colors,
blacks and detail level are all spot on but there is noticable grain and some edge enhancement in certain scenes
which are distracting. Surround is never really made of full use, nevertheless it is an impressive soundtrack
and both action and dialogue are nice and clear throughout. Shelton lends his voice to a commentary track
and while he is soft spoken and somewhat quiet, there's some interesting filmmaking talk and some quite upfront
stuff about casting and shooting anecdotes.
'Internal Affairs' are three featurettes kicking off with high contrast blue black intro motifs and each with
some surprisingly cool on-set video. "Code Blue" talks about the early development and casting of the film including early
artwork with the original "Plague Season" title and how "Training Day" scribe David Ayer was brought in to
streamline James Ellroy's 105-page no dialogue treatment. Garnered from it are such facts as Shelton claims to be the man responsible for Eldon's humanisation, Gleeson wore age makeup at Russell's request, the difficulty of location shooting and
the riot recreation. "By the Book" goes more into location filming and how they redressed various locations
such as the waterworks and veteran's hall to pose as the police academy - costuming is also covered. Finally,
"Necessary Force" is mostly an interview with the consultant for the film about real life police procedure and how
he helped the cast and crew get as close as possible to reality. Capping off the set is the trailer and a little
over two dozen publicity stills. A nice single-disc set for one of the year's best films so far. - Garth Franklin
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