Body Of Lies (2008/Warner Blu-ray + DVD-Video)
Picture: B/C+
Sound: B+/B- Extras: B-/D Film: B-
Though it is little-discussed, the recent cycle of films
about the U.S., the “war on terrorism” and the many missteps since 9/11 on the
matter have been a problem in and of themselves. The films on the subject arrived years too
late, all said the same shallow things and never worked. As compared to the “he’s coming home” cycle
of films on Vietnam before The Deer
Hunter and Apocalypse Now
arrived, these films have been forgettable (despite the acting talent involved)
and all have been a miles away from any realism or credibility. Then there’s Ridley Scott’s Body Of Lies (2008) which finally
becomes the film that starts to get it.
Leonardo DiCaprio is “our man in the Middle East” as he
tries to figure out what is coming next in the way of attacks anywhere in the
world from organized Islamic-linked terrorists and insurgents. Help comes in part from Russell Crowe, who is
his cyber-CIA contact constantly in touch with satellite information, tracking,
audio conversations and other vital information to see the next troubles
coming. However, these
techno-connections are about to clash with reality and a matter of who can
trust who, including a slow unraveling of the relationship between the CIA
operatives.
DiCaprio and Crowe, two of the most underrated actors
around, are totally convincing in their roles while this tale has more
credibility than any of the recent past/post-9/11 era playing as a smart flipside
to a film that deals with the oncoming issue of world terror, Scott’s own Black Hawk Down (reviewed on Blu-ray
elsewhere on this site) and was sadly lost in a sea of other such films that do
not even come close. There is action
here as expected, but more subtle and important points about the dangers of a
“war on terrorism” becoming a run-on was missed by most critics and the film
was not the hit it deserved to be.
However, it was one of 2008’s better films and with a new president and
shift in U.S. policy, Body Of Lies
arrives as a work slightly ahead of is time and worth your time.
The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image is yet
another thriller that has been styled-down with quick edits, darkened shots and
video images; something the Scott Brothers helped to create. Fortunately, it is not as bad as the many
imitators and holds up a bit better than the usual. However, the playback quality suffered a bit
and a bit more than the usual Ridley Scott release, but that is the style. The anamorphically enhanced DVD is poorer,
softer and more disappointing, even for its format. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix on the Blu-ray is
much better, with lively sound and the kind of smart multi-channel mix you get
from Scott’s films. The Dolby Digital
5.1 mix on both the DVD and Blu-ray is lively, but no match.
Extras are not available on the single DVD version save
the bonus Digital Copy for PC and PC portable media that the Blu-ray also
offers in a separate DVD-ROM, while the Blu-ray has BD Live interactive
functions & clips, additional scenes with introductions & optional
commentary, an Interactive Debriefing section focusing on the lead actors and
feature-length audio commentary track with Scott, Screenwriter William Monahan
and David Ignatius, who wrote the book the film is based on.
- Nicholas Sheffo
