The Interpreter (HD-DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B+ Extras: B- Film: B-
When
Sydney Pollack’s The Interpreter hit
theaters, it received a mixed critical and commercial response, something the
DVD release of the film did not make up for enough. We did cover the Widescreen version as this
link shows:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2850/The+Interpreter+(Widescreen)
I was one
of the people who advocated the film and felt it was Pollack getting back into
form. However, I had some issues with
the performance of the DVD, so when Universal announced that they would make
the film into one of their early HD-DVD releases, I was happy to hear it. The good news is the film still works and is
still enjoyable, with its leads remaining enduring stars. Then there is the performance of the new
disc.
The 1080p
2.35 X 1 digital high definition image is an improvement over the DVD, but with
some limits I did not see on the DVD due to its lower definition and also did
not notice on the 35mm print for whatever reasons. Shot in real anamorphic 35mm and not lesser
Super 35mm, the HD-DVD reveals some of the great definition and color fullness
the DVD just could not handle. However,
flaws in the Digital Internegative work by cinematographer Darius Khondji,
A.S.C., A.F.C., not noticeable before sadly surface here and play havoc with
the amazing camera work he pulled off otherwise. Since it is intended for the most part, we
have to chalk it up to style, but it hurts the presentation.
As for
the 5.1 sound mix which sounded impressive even in standard Dolby Digital, I
always felt this would sound better in DTS and I was right. It is a mix included here, as well as an even
higher bit-rate Dolby Digital Plus 5.1, though the DTS still has some moments
over the DD+ mix. The combination of the
James Newton Howard score and clever surrounds enhance the thriller and
narrative elements. You also get the
same extras as on the previous DVD, so this is now the copy of the film to own and is a sonic HD demo if nothing
else. However, you might just enjoy the
film too.
- Nicholas Sheffo
