Fear and Loathing is not an enjoyable movie, it takes you on a drug educed trip through the dark side of Las Vegas, journalism and the early 70's. To say I didn't enjoy the film doesn't mean I didn't like it, Johnny Depp nails Hunter S. Thompson in a way that is just simply amazing. I have been a Johnny Depp fan for some time and wondered what he could do to top Donnie Brasco. He tops it in this film

Benicio Del Toro pulled a "Robert De Niro" and put on over 40 pounds to play Hunters Sidekick and attorney the Dr. Gonzo. Del Toro is larger than life and commands the scene like he has never done before.

The imagery in Fear and Loathing is disturbing (some of which reminded me of Jacob's Ladder) with more jilted camera angles than you can count. The film was shot quickly with a very low budget and captures some of the fun and excitement that you find in independent films. Fear and Loathing gives you a spin, and challenges you like few films do.

If you're a Johnny Depp fan or like some of Terry Gilliam's more macabre works like Brazil you'll appreciate Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. On DVD, you have the ability to run things over and again, which is important as some of the best parts of the movie come from out of nowhere and are gone before you know it. Some of Deps lines are just hilarious.

As far as extra's go Fear and Loathing leaves much to be desired. Notably absent is any audio commentary, which is just shocking with a film like this. Could you imagine a commentary track by Thompson - Universal really missed the boat on this one. There are a few deleted scenes, but nothing really special about them. Finally there's a Fear and Loathing Featurette (which Universal is now calling "Spotlight: On Location" on all of their DVD's) it is mildly entertaining with some good insight into the film. With most featurette's this one is too short. Typically featureette are sell the film to perspective theathers owners when the film is being booked for release so they tend to be a little light and short.

In all Fear and Loathing is definately worth a watch, weather or not you want to buy it will depend on how much you like Depp, Gilliam or the great gonzo himself Hunter S. Thompson.