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DVD REVIEW FOR
"A FEW GOOD MEN"

(1992) (Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson) (R)

Length Screen Format(s) Languages Subtitles Sound Sides
138 minutes Letterbox (2.35:1)
16x9 - Widescreen
English, French,
Spanish, Portuguese
English,French, Spanish,
Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai
Dolby Digital 5.1 1

Plot: Drama: Assigned to defend two marines accused of killing a fellow soldier, a young Navy lawyer encounters and overcomes various obstacles while searching for the ultimate truth. (Parental review not available)

AUDIO/VIDEO ELEMENTS:
Other than a few random film artifacts (scratches, etc.), a tiny bit of pixelation/shimmer and the fact that the color is cranked just enough to make the flesh tones look a tad too warm, the image here looks terrific. The picture is rather sharp and often looks incredible in detail. Color reproduction - beyond being turned up a notch - is also good, resulting in vibrant looking images. While mainly dialogue driven, the audio track sounds great throughout, from the ominous, dramatic score to the obvious military music (including a fun piece during the closing credits), but it occasionally delivers some decent sound effects, such as that which occurs during a brief thunderstorm scene, to keep things from becoming too aurally staid.
EXTRAS:
  • Scene selection/Jump to any scene (with moving images).
  • Running audio commentary by director Rob Reiner.
  • "Code of Conduct" - 34+ minute documentary about the making of the film, including clips and stills from it, behind the scenes stills, and interviews with various cast and crew members.
  • "From Stage to Screen with Aaron Sorkin and Rob Reiner" - 13+ minute look at the transformation of the story from stage play to film with comments by the screenwriter and director.
  • Filmographies for various cast and crew members.
  • Theatrical trailer for this film, along with ones for "Jerry Maguire" and "The Juror."
  • Brief production notes on glossy case insert.
  • COMMENTS:
    In the pivotal and most memorable moment from "A Few Good Men," Jack Nicholson's seasoned military character lashes out at the green lawyer played by Tom Cruise. During the legal give and take, Nicholson bellows out, "You can't handle the truth!" at Cruise, a point that could possibly also describe the response to criticism of actor turned director Rob Reiner's early career behind the camera.

    After all, years of playing Mike Stivic of TV's "All in the Family" had left him typecast as the liberal son-in-law to Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), and few could see him playing a different character, let alone directing a group of other ones. Yet, he did just that with films such as "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," and "The Princess Bride."

    One of his more accomplished efforts, however, was this 1992 picture that garnered four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture (it lost out to "Unforgiven"). With screenwriter Aaron Sorkin ("The American President," TV's "The West Wing") adapting his own play - that was based on true life events - and showing an early example of what is now his trademark writing style of terrific character construction and development and intelligently textured dialogue, the film engages the viewer from the get-go and doesn't let up until the closing credits.

    As the relatively inexperienced courtroom lawyer who's "cruising" (pun intended) through his tour of duty but finds himself progressively drawn deeper into the case of two marines killed during a lethal hazing-like incident, Tom Cruise (the "Mission: Impossible Films," "Risky Business") gives a terrific performance and grounds the picture via a cocky, but sympathetic character that everyone wants to see win.

    Although various performers - including Kevin Bacon ("Hollow Man," "Apollo 13") and Kiefer Sutherland ("Flatliners," "Stand By Me") - serve as the film's collective antagonist - symbolizing the military's unification - it's Jack Nicholson ("The Pledge," "As Good As It Gets") who delivers yet another tour de force performance as the military Colonel who's full of patriotic vigor and venom (it earned him an Oscar nomination). While their late in the film, courtroom showdown is the highlight of the picture, the moments leading up to that are constantly interesting and engaging.

    Solid performances from Demi Moore ("G.I. Jane," "Indecent Proposal"), Kevin Pollak ("Deterrence," "Grumpy Old Men") and the rest of the incredibly deep cast -- hat also includes Cuba Gooding, Jr. ("Pearl Harbor, "Men of Honor") and Noah Wyle (TV's "ER") in early roles -- certainly don't hurt matters. Yet, it's Reiner's assured direction and Sorkin's cracking script that make the film so good. It comes highly recommended, as does this special edition DVD version of it.

    A Few Good Men (Special Edition) is now available for purchase by clicking here.

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