The Boondock Saints (1999/Fox Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: B-     Film: B

 

 

This reviewer can’t think of many films that were as big of a sleeper success as The Boondock Saints.  The crime thriller came and went from theaters in 1999 without most people noticing as it was only released on five screens (yes, only 5) in the United States.  The film would later see a wider release in 2006 after word of mouth and a little help from Blockbuster Video took the film’s cult status to the next level.  The film has now seen several DVD releases (the most recent being a 2006 Special Edition), but many have been anxiously awaiting the Blu-ray release of the film.

 

The film starts with fraternal twins Murphy MacManus (Norman Reedus) and Conner MacManus (Sean Patrick Flanery) getting into an altercation with two Russian mobsters during a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration; the end result being the mobsters taking quite a beating.  The next day the mobsters return to exact revenge on the brothers, but instead find themselves dead and flat on their backs after the twins take them out in self defense.  The police soon get involved and attempt to piece together the events of the blood bath that was found in the backstreet alley of Boston.  William Defoe heads the case as the eccentric FBI Agent Paul Smecker, who immediately realizes (unlike his fellow agents) that the incident in the alley was not a professional mob hit, but rather an act of self defense.  The brothers eventually turn themselves in and plead their case of self defense; both the police and public in the end seeing the brothers as heroes and a media storm soon erupts.  The MacManus boys decide to spend a night in lock down to avoid media attention, but while there have a vision from God telling them to wipe out the evils of the city that threaten the wronged and innocent.  After leaving their jail cell the boys set out to rid the city of “evil men” with a little help from their crazy friend Rocco.  The film evolves into a brilliant crime thriller as the three vigilantes cleanse the city of wrong doers; taking down the city’s biggest crime lords and underbosses.  A concurrent storyline ensues as William Defoe is hot on the trail of the boys’ crimes and sets out to stop the chaotic vigilantism.  A triangle of good versus evil forms when the mob, the Irish heroes, and FBI agents are all on the same path with very different goals; creating an epic thrill ride of violent highs and lows.

 

The film is often described as “heart pounding and graphic” and this reviewer could not agree more.  The film is brilliantly written, performed, and paced.  With a dull moment no where in sight, the grit and grime of the Boston streets shines through as the vigilantes strive to set things straight in a world gone wrong.  As studios make superhero film after superhero film, perhaps The Boondock Saints is as close as we would get to real life superhero action (except these heroes take out their enemies and have no powers).  There are not too many moments in the film that could not really happen (even with the eccentric William Defoe in his full glory) and its realism is stunning as the audience gets to experience true justice for the scum that walks this earth.  Sure it is violent and excessively brutal at times, but that is what makes it fun.  Troy Duffy made a great film and with a sequel on the horizon (supposedly set for a 2009 release), who knows what the future holds for these Irish vigilantes.

 

The picture is presented in a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 2.35 X 1 transfer that for the most part is adequate, but not all too impressive.  Both the theatrical and extended cut are available for viewing; both cuts being great films with about the same sketchy picture quality.  It is obvious from the beginning that the transfer did not come from the best film master, with grit and debris being present throughout that makes for a blemished Blu-ray release.  The colors are off and the contrast is as well, though the blacks are solid and flesh tones are balanced.  It is an adequate release for fans that have been waiting, but expect another release to be coming for sure.  The sound is a bit of a step up from the picture in its DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround Track that uses most of the speakers and with the engaging action sequences it is at its best.  The scores and gunfire jump from every angle and immerse the viewer in a great cinematic experience.

 

The extras feature Audio Commentaries, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, a Printable Script, and Theatrical Trailer.  The only extra worth commenting on is the Audio Commentaries; one featuring Troy Duffy and the other Bill Connolly.  Troy Duffy is obviously a self indulgent, egotistical man; throughout the commentary he name drops and quite unbashfully promotes himself.  Duffy’s commentary holds little substance, nor does it give insight into the film.  Connolly is more self aware and talks of the film’s production troubles, giving a tad more insight but in the in end still being a lackluster commentary.

 

Overall, I can’t say that this film is fully worth fans upgrading from DVD to Blu-ray.  The extras are ‘blah’ and the picture/sound quality still needs extensive work to make the film look right.  With a sequel on the way this reviewer would say hold off for a better Blu-ray release.  For more on the film, try our previous DVD review:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3985/The+Boondock+Saints+(Unrated+Sp

 

 

-   Michael P. Dougherty II