A Few Good Men
(Blu-ray)
Picture: A-
Sound: B Extras: C Film: B-
Rob Reiner has been a successful filmmaker, made the
transition from acting to that profession and even helped to create Castle
Rock, but the journeyman filmmaker has been on a streak of bad films lately and
it is interesting to see what happens when one of his film’s work after a long
time. In the case of his 1992 hit A
Few Good Men, the film’s first obstacle was overcoming its Cold War
roots. In that context, what happens is
even more powerful and dark, but the Aaron Sorkin screenplay (from his play)
manages to have a power all its own despite the fall of the USSR.
When a fellow soldier gets killed, a team of young,
ambitious attorneys (Tom Cruise and Demi Moore) conduct both an investigation
and intend to prosecute any and all in their way. As they uncover more and more clues, they
uncover the “Code Red” concept, secret traditions and a potential cover up that
could shake the very Navy they are sworn to protect. This goes all the way to hardcore veteran
officer (Jack Nicholson, in yet another classic performance) who may have the
most to gain and loose.
Thought he film lapses at times into shades of 1980s Brat
Pack moments, the film’s plusses outweigh such dated moments as the mystery
builds up in a way that is more than just about “who done it?” but why. The result was one of the biggest hits of
Reiner’s career and with a cast that also includes Kevin Bacon, Kiefer
Sutherland, Kevin Pollack and the late, great J.T. Walsh, the film has only
appreciated in value. That is why the
Blu-ray upgrade is such good news.
I have been unhappy with all previous copies of this film
all the way to DVD, but the 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is a
big improvement over such previous versions that I was transported back to the
first time I saw it in 35mm. It does not
hurt one bit that the cinematography is by the amazing Robert Richardson,
A.S.C. that is among the best camerawork any Director of Photography has ever
delivered Reiner. The Dolby Digital 5.1
from the previous DVD is back and still a disaster, trying in vein to upgrade
the original theatrical Dolby SR (Spectral Recording) analog mix, destroying it
instead. The new PCM 16/48 5.1 mix is the
kind of upgrade the film needed all along, sounding very good for its age,
better than the PCM on the old 12” LaserDisc and making this a fine match for
the fine picture quality. This is one of
Marc Shaiman’s better scores too.
Extras include a documentary Code Of Conduct, feature length commentary by Reiner and From Stage To Screen featurette with
Reiner and Sorkin.
- Nicholas Sheffo
