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| Special Features: |
2 sided disc: Full screen and Wide screen versions.
Commentary by veteren director John Frankenheimer.
Alternative ending.
8 page booklet on the making of the film.
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| Video Format: |
Full Frame (1.33:1)
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
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| Languages: |
English (5.1 Surround)
French (5.1 Surround)
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| Captions: |
English, French.
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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For a plot summary I'll refer you to our archived review by Tien Nguyen. He and I disagree heartily on this movie, so read what he has to say by clicking here. Come back and I'll add my 2 cents worth.
Mr. Nguyen gave "Ronin" 2 stars. I give it 3 and a half. "Ronin" is a throwback to the grand spy films of the 60s and 70s. Missing are the unreal physical feats attributed to mere mortals in such films as "Mission Impossible" and "Die Hard." The plot is excellent. The action is unsurpassed. Some of the best auto stunts ever put on film are found in this movie.
Often critics complain that spy thrillers have no no plot or a contrived plot. In "Ronin" there is no end of the world scenario. We follow a group of free-lance mercenaries as the tr to steal a mysterious brief case. As in the real world of espionage, there are double crosses and twists. People aren't who they seem to be. "Ronin" provides a peak into this neather world in a realistic manner.
The acting is superb across the board. The characters are well defined. A character can be well defined and still be mysterious. So what if we don't know everything about each character. These folks are spys, not a group of simpering, lost, wounded inner-chaild victims in group therapy. They internalize things, and may very well be in need of therapy, but give me a break from complaining that "I didn't get to know them before they died" criticism.
This is an excellent movie along the lines of the original "Day of the Jackal" and "Marathon Man."
Other than the movie itself, there is not a lot going on with this DVD.
The quality is fine, but the extras are doled out like raises at Ebeneezer Scrooges establishment.
Picture Quality: 10/10
Excellent. Great colors, beautiful locales. Exciting night scenes.
Sound Quality: 10/10
Get your motors running! You can hear the gears shifting, the brakes squeeling and the bombs exploding. Clear and crisp.
Menu: 8/10
Good use of sound and visuals, but nothing special. Easy to navigate, but then there isn't a lot to navigate to!
Extra Features: 5/10
The commentary is very technical. It is of value to students of directing. Mr. Frankenheimer explains how shots were set up and filmed. It is interesting, but highly technical.
The only other extra is the alternative ending. I liked it better as it throws a whole new light onto De Niro's character.
The insert booklet has some cool info.
The Final Word:
Get this for the movie alone. The extras are nothing special, but the movie is worth the price.
Rusty White
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