DVD Review: Fast and Furious
Garrett Conti - Knight Ridder/Tribune
Jul 28, 2009
'Fast & Furious'
The newest version of this movie franchise won't let down any of its fans. An abundance of fast cars, scantily clad women, action and testosterone capably fill the void left after 2006's "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift." The latest reunites the original cast -- Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster -- from the 2001 feature, and puts the rough-and-tough Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and squeaky clean FBI agent Brian O'Conner (Walker) back together again in a fight to take down an unyielding Mexican drug cartel that boasts an army of bad guys on both sides of the border. Brian is leading a considerable case to bring down Arturo Braga (John Ortiz), the powerful leader of the cartel, and Dominic wants revenge against the kingpin. So, Dominic and Brian put the pedal to the metal in an attempt to get what they want in an action-packed feature littered with high-octane car chases and heart-pounding action. Aside from the shoddy dialogue and plot holes large enough to drive a turbo-charged Gran Torino through, "Fast & Furious" definitely is one of the best additions to this franchise, but at the same time, that's really not saying much. It is a step in the right direction, though, for a band of car-centered flicks that lost its wheels after two bad sequels in 2003 and '06. Three versions of the DVD hit the streets today, and the two-disc special edition has the most to offer. A nice set of featurettes that cover everything from the cars to the stunts to the shooting of the big-time scenes are available. Commentary, a gag reel and a short film -- "Los Bandoleros!" -- also are in here. "Los Bandoleros!" is a short prequel to the feature film. A single-disc edition offers only a gag reel and commentary with director Justin Lin. Additionally, a Blu-ray package gives the viewer added insight with a handful of extra featurettes.
PG-13; 2009.
Our Take: 2 Stars.
Rent It: Does a fine job in fulfilling those low expectations.
"Battlestar Galactica"
The Sci-Fi Channel's popular series "Battlestar Galactica" makes its final salvo on DVD this week with two distinctive packages. "Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5" (four discs, nine episodes, extras) and "Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series" (25-disc standard, 20-disc Blu-ray, 75 episodes, extras) hit stores this week. While the episodes are obviously a great reason to pick up either one of these packages, the extras reinforce the value. The makers of the show go out of their way to give fans added insight with featurettes that tackle some of the more interesting aspects of the show. Additional special features are available on Blu-ray. The award-winning show, which ran for four seasons, wowed audiences with its intelligent story lines and standout performances, and here's another chance to go back and see it all over again.
NR; 2009.
Our Take: 3.5 Stars.
'Bad Lieutenant: Special Edition'
If there's one actor that always escapes notice when discussing the best performers on screen, it's Harvey Keitel. Considering his body of work -- titles such as "Pulp Fiction," "Reservoir Dogs," "Mean Streets" and "Clockers" -- the realization sets in that his name belongs on the marquee with stars like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Brad Pitt. If there's a role that reinforces this thinking, it's Keitel's performance in "Bad Lieutenant," a dark and grimy drama that has the actor playing a dirty cop. Released in 1992, the film finds its way back onto DVD this week in a special-edition package. The film was released in two cuts upon its original release -- NC-17 and R -- but this new package is strictly NC-17. The reason for the controversial rating rests on the heavy drug use featured throughout. This is arguably Keitel's finest performance, as he assumes the role of an NYC cop with plenty of vices. He's heavily addicted to drugs, gambling and sex, and he uses his job to fill these dangerous voids. When he's put on a case involving a raped nun, the cop slides deeper into his addictions as a way to cope with the abhorrent case. This film -- directed by the talented Abel Ferrara -- isn't for the faint of heart, but it's an abrasively realistic film that houses a remarkable performance by the accomplished Keitel. Special features include commentary and a three-part documentary on the making of the film that does a fine job looking back at the many twists and turns the cast and crew experienced during filming.
NC-17; 1992.
Our Take: 3 Stars.
Rent It: A well-done character study of a cop at the breaking point.
'Miss March'
Zach Cregger and Trevor Moore, the minds behind the popular IFC sketch comedy show "The Whitest Kids U Know," make their directorial and screenwriting debuts with "Miss March," a sex-centered comedy aimed at the college crowd. In their first trip to the silver screen, Cregger and Moore -- also in lead roles -- fail miserably. This one misses the mark by relying on tired jokes, dismal dialogue and more bathroom humor than viewers can shake a toilet brush at. "Miss March" tries its best to break some new ground in the genre that mixes youngsters, sex and comedy, but it's left in the dust by titles such as "American Pie" and "Superbad." The film centers on Eugene (Cregger), a kid who's finally going to lose his virginity on prom night to his girlfriend, Cindi (Raquel Alessi). On his way to do the deed, Eugene has an accident and goes into a four-year coma. When he awakes, he finds out that his one-time girlfriend is now a centerfold in the pages of Playboy. Trying to re-connect, Eugene decides to head cross-country with his Playboy-infatuated buddy Tucker (Moore). The boys come across all sorts of predictable misadventures until Eugene finally reunites with his girlfriend. The unrated cut of the film is the best buy, and it also features the theatrical version of the film. In tow are a handful of lackluster special features. A set of fake auditions with actors from "The Whitest Kids U Know" isn't that funny. A short documentary on one of the other characters in the film -- a dirty rapper played by Craig Robinson -- also lacks in the comedy department.
NR; 2009.
Our Take: 1 Star.
Skip It: A cameo by legendary playboy Hugh Hefner can't save this one.
'Dragonball Evolution'
Based on the popular Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama, "Dragonball Evolution" is a shoddy adaptation that collapses under sloppy CGI work, big plot holes and over-dramatic dialogue. Director James Wong's film might find some fans among the Dragonball faithful, but few newcomers will be lured in by this lousy action movie. The only positive here is a smooth transition for relative strangers to the series to pick up the story line. The film follows Goku (Justin Chatwin), a magical young man who's called upon to halt the rise of Piccolo (James Marsters). Piccolo is looking to gather the seven Dragonballs, so he can bring back on the scene his destructive sidekick Ozaru. Goku, with the help of Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) and Bulma (Emmy Rossum), must capture the Dragonballs before Piccolo does and destroys the earth. Above all else, this is a coming-of-age tale, with Goku trying to come to grips with his magical powers. Extras for "Dragonball Evolution" are decent, but lack some key components newcomers or fans of the manga series might be looking for. An interview with Chatwin, deleted scenes, gag reel, music video and workout session based on the fighting skills make the cut, but that's about all. The standout special feature is an in-depth look at one of the better action sequences from "Dragonball Evolution."
PG; 2009.
Our Take: 1.5 stars.
Skip It: Take a pass on the movie and pick up the books instead.
"The Mafia"
The History Channel packages its collection of documentaries on the many facets of the Mafia in this terrific four-disc package. A set of 12 documentaries makes its way into this set, and some of the topics explored include the Mafia's dealings with prohibition, unions, politicians, wars and, most importantly, crime. Underworld figures featured include Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and John Gotti. A couple of bonus docs also find their way into this History Channel package. For fans of mob movies or the criminal history of the United States, this is a great addition to any collection.
NR; 2009.
Our Take: 3.5 Stars.
More TV Releases:
"How Bruce Lee Changed the World" (one disc, documentary on Bruce Lee, extras), "Knight Rider: Season 1" (four discs, 17 episodes, extras), "Life on Mars: Series 1" (four discs, eight episodes, extras), "Early Edition: The Second Season" (five discs, 22 episodes, extras), "This American Life: The Second Season" (one disc, six episodes, extras), "Ripped Off: Madoff and the Scamming of America" (one disc, documentary, extras), "A Touch of Frost: Season 14" (two discs, three episodes, extras), "Jim Breuer: Let's Clear the Air" (one disc, standup comedy, extras), "The Spectacular Spider-Man: The Complete First Season" (two discs, 13 episodes, extras) and "Comic Legends" (four discs, standup comedy with Groucho Marx, Redd Foxx, Dick Van Dyke, Phyllis Diller and Tim Conway, extras).
Other Movie Releases:
"The Great Buck Howard" (John Malkovich, PG, extras), "Severed Ways" (Fiore Tedesco, NR, extras), "Big Man Japan" (Hitosi Matumoto, PG-13, extras), "An American Affair" (Gretchen Mol, R, extras), "A River Runs Through It: Blu-Ray Edition" (Brad Pitt, PG, extras), "The Union: The Business of Getting High" (documentary on the marijuana industry, NR, extras), "Everest" (William Shatner, PG-13) and "Angel of Death" (Zoe Bell, NR, extras).
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Copyright 2009 by Knight Ridder/Tribune
