Video:

The 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer of Cellular looks fantastic. Especially noteworthy is the black levels - so much of Basinger's screen time comes in a dark attic, and the detail available even in that situation is commendable. The colors are really well represented, as well; colorful southern California looks great as Ryan drives around.

Audio:

The 5.1 Dolby Digital track is very active without ever swallowing the dialogue, no mean feat in an action film. The surround speakers get to show off in some key scenes (and in some funny moments, such as the film's biggest explosion). A 2.0 track is also provided.

Extras:

The advertised commentary track is with director David Ellis, story creator Larry Cohen and Chris Morgan, but instead it is primarily with Ellis, his daughter Tawny ("associate producer," a title that David Mamet once wrote in State and Main is "what you give to your secretary instead of a raise") and his Annie (assistant stunt coordinator). Cohen and Morgan, along with some other staff members, are called on their phone (get it? GET IT!) for additional information. The info is not scene specific and pretty clearly edited in later. Also, the cell phone volume is lower, sometimes to the point of not being able to understand the people on the other end of the line. Meanwhile, the track itself reveals precious little information, Annie and Tawny have nearly nothing to say, and Ellis actually sounds out of his league.

A handful of deleted and alternate scenes make the disc as well, along with commentary for each scene. Most of the cut footage was shaved off of scenes in the film, such as the extended introduction to Ryan and the extra padding in act three. All of the cuts seem to be for the better, especially leaving out a schmaltzy denouement for Ryan.

In addition, this (fairly loaded, really) release features three documentaries. Dialing Up Cellular is a fairly by-the-numbers look at production, with few discoveries and a lot of back-slapping. Calling Out is a slightly more interesting, if tangential, discussion about societies love affair with the cell phone and our obsession with "staying in touch." Finally, Code of Silence: Inside the Rampart Scandal is assorted interviews and news clips about the Los Angeles police scandal that the film mimics in some ways (it comes with a warning screen that the documentary "contains information that may reveal important story elements about Cellular"). All three are competently done, but not anything worthy of rewatching.

A theatrical trailer and DVD-Rom "script-to-screen" feature rounds out the extras list.

Final Thoughts:

This is not a classic. This will not be remembered for its brilliance - for many, it won't even be remembered. But Cellular, for 94 minutes, grabs a hold of the viewer and doesn't let go. It's one of the more entertaining mindless action films of recent memory, and definitely worth watching for anyone who misses the genre.