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Spy Game
Universal // R // May 19, 2009
List Price: $29.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Film:
There's a lot going on in Tony Scott's Spy Game, including a blitzkrieg of espionage activity swirling around the Enemy of the State and Man on Fire director's ultra-caffeinated visual style. Some of it we care about, some of it we don't; when it gets down to the core of the flick, a vehement cloak-and-dagger story about a captive spy being rescued by his once-mentor, a strong sense of character and emotional investment between the two leads ultimate make this one worth seeing.
To be more specific, Spy Game focuses on retiring CIA rogue Nathan Muir (Robert Redbord) as he goes through his final days of questioning and deck-scrubbing to make for a semi-squeaky exit from the organization. Little editing tricks show us that he's really planning on hanging his boots up, moving to a sweet property on an island coast. Just as he's about to step foot out the door, word buzzes around that a Thomas Bishop (Brad Pitt), aka Boy Scout, was captured by the Chinese government for espionage -- and will be executed within 24 hours if military matters aren't exercised.
Nathan, Tom's almost father-like instructor, gives us the meat of Spy Game by telling us (or, more appropriately, the CIA operatives prodding about the necessity in rescuing Bishop) stories about their mentorship. It bounces around the globe to a myriad of locations for a myriad of purposes, most of which connect with this, that, and the other within the government in a fashion that's too networked to really care very much about. That murky focus on the event details almost seems purposeful, as the connection between Nathan and Tom instead bubbles to the top with Tony Scott's signature character charm. We see Thomas Bishop's evolution into a proficient wild card agent, much like Nathan, through a mix of semi-captivating, humorous, and bittersweet instructions -- ones that also scrape the surface a little on the complete lack of trustworthiness in their profession.
Tony Scott tells Bishop's story through Nathan's half-happy reflection with a slightly restrained hand in comparison to his other work, finding a rhythm for Spy Game that combines the frenetic editing style of Enemy of the State with only glimmers of the crisp visual luridness prevalent in his later pictures, namely a personal favorite in Man on Fire and, conversely, the acid-trip abomination Domino. Like Enemy of the State, it constantly moves; energy explodes repeatedly around every corner, something soaked in for pure excitement value by the viewers. Witnessing Bishop learn the ropes around this environment offers the best moments of the film, occurring at the forefront of Spy Game when our energy is still high and Tony Scott hasn't drug us through very much of his stylish energy ... yet.
Casting Robert Redford and Brad Pitt was a crucial move to Spy Games success. Both in the way they look and carry themselves, as well as their stature in culture, the two echo each other with an energy that gives them plenty of chemistry. It makes the semi-paternal dynamic between the two work, to such a degree that thoughts about the possibility of Tom Bishop being Nathan's son crept up early on. The pairing ensnares vigor while maintaining Tony Scott's signature part character, part pure charisma energy for his leads. Their conversations are done in the director's typically fast-paced and haughty fashion, but their dynamic adds an extra kick that holds interest much more than it probably should.
Spy Game would be a really good espionage film that nearly sidestepped the typical style-over-substance stigma from the director, if it weren't for one big issue: excessive, implausible plot convolution. At its root, the semi-narration from Redford's Muir pairs well with the excitement-bound, vignette-style recollection of his relationship with Thomas Bishop. Surrounding them, however, is a world of neo-political and sociological hubbub that does very little but scuff up and infuriate the pureness of Tony Scott's drive. It'd be one thing if this material stayed largely out of the spotlight, but Michael Frost Beckner's story tries fervently to interweave them tightly into the film's complications -- including a politically-charged romantic angle with Braveheart's ever-so-memorable Catherine McCormack -- and it dizzies up the flow. They manage to mask the incoherence with attractive set pieces and explosive action, something Tony Scott is naturally adept with, but it still feels like there's something missing from the mix when it rises from all that dust swirling around its hustle n' bustle with few fruits for its labor.
Ultimately, Scott makes us care about Muir and Bishop's relationship, the immediacy to rescue Bishop real-time, and Mir's blitz to poke and prod around alternatives to government intervention. Its strengths more than manage to overshadow the erratic tossed-like-a-salad plotting, making Spy Game a breakneck, excellently paced espionage blitz that highlights Brad Pitt and Robert Redford as two ample heroic and anti-heroic characters. Keen politics and cerebral suspense aren't its forte, but it certainly fills in those gaps with thrilling, hip excitement and pure intrigue.
The Blu-ray:
Video and Audio:
Previously available from Universal as one of its stronger HD-DVD offerings, Spy Game now comes to Blu-ray framed at 2.35:1 within a higher bitrate 1080p VC-1 encode. Dancing between 28-33 mbps, Scott's film exercises rich detail and lurid contrast elements that render inky blacks, sharp metallic textures, and crisp textures throughout the presentation -- all handled extremely well here. Some scenes, however, pop out of focus a few times, while a peppering of dust and scratches are prevalent across the entire film. Along with the blips though, the transfer also retains an exceedingly film-like grain while staying distortion and edge-enhancement, a set of properties that keep its cinematic quality looking rather slick. Enjoyably lush industrial visuals hallmark the picture front to back, which make the largely visual director's film a nice eye-popper.
Getting a boost over a Dolby Digital 5.1 Plus track on the HD-DVD, a DTS HD Master Audio track has been included here. Robust, throaty bass and crisp midrange sound effects stretch liberally across the soundstage, creating a highly active sound design. The revving of engines, explosions, and a bombardment of other quick, sharp sound effects fill the speakers, keeping the activity high. Some vocal elements get a little low on the audibility scale and a few center-channel effects get lost in between the side and rear channels -- frequently traveling to the back in thick fashion -- but the overall clarity and action-hinged bass involvement mark this one as a very healthy and enjoyable track. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, and French, while French and Spanish DTS 5.1 tracks offer additional sound options.
Special Features:
Commentaries with Tony Scott, and with Producers Mark Abraham and Douglas Wick:
Both commentaries stay very matter-of-fact and intelligent, with Scott's commentary staying very scene-specific and a touch on the droll side -- talking about hopping between locations, performances, etc. The producer commentary spices things up a bit, introducing some interesting tidbits about Redford's reservations and prolonged script work.
Clandestine Ops:
Carried over from the HD-DVD, Clandestine Ops operates as a semi-interactive special feature that makes quick behind-the-scenes clips and "classified" information available. It's kinda-sorta close to a Picture-in-Picture without, well, the picture; instead of showing the material at the bottom left hand portion of the screen, it instead stops the film, shows the content, then returns back to the point where it stopped.
Also available are a short little Script-to-Storyboard Process (2:41, SD) featurette, a series of rough-looking Deleted (5:26, SD) and Alternate Scenes (14:17, SD) available with Tony Scott optional commentary, and a text-based Requirements for CIA Acceptance earmark. This disc has also been BD-Live enabled, as well as containing Bookmark / Chapter favorite selection for easy reference to key points in the picture.
Final Thoughts:
Tony Scott's Spy Game zips us cleanly through a two-hour-plus spy suspense, cranking us through stylish, globetrotting explosiveness with plenty of the director's regular tricks. He's working with a nice pairing of actors in Robert Redford and Brad Pitt that give the story the right amount of affection to inject immediacy into its flow. Though the stream of political nonsense clouds its impact, there's a crispness about Nathan Muir's reflections on Thomas Bishop that pulls in enough investment from the audience to stick with its befuddling mess of secondary plot elements.
Universal's Blu-ray presentation of Spy Gametacks on BD-Live support and a DTS HD Master Audio track for additional clarity in the audio department, giving the satisfyingly imperfect transfer and decent array of extras from the HD-DVD an extra dose of enjoyment. It's a Recommended high-definition experience of an enjoyably flawed spy thriller, especially if you're already a fan of both Tony Scott's lesser and greater pictures.
Thomas Spurlin, Staff Reviewer -- DVDTalk Reviews | Personal Blog/Site
 |
To be more specific, Spy Game focuses on retiring CIA rogue Nathan Muir (Robert Redbord) as he goes through his final days of questioning and deck-scrubbing to make for a semi-squeaky exit from the organization. Little editing tricks show us that he's really planning on hanging his boots up, moving to a sweet property on an island coast. Just as he's about to step foot out the door, word buzzes around that a Thomas Bishop (Brad Pitt), aka Boy Scout, was captured by the Chinese government for espionage -- and will be executed within 24 hours if military matters aren't exercised.
Nathan, Tom's almost father-like instructor, gives us the meat of Spy Game by telling us (or, more appropriately, the CIA operatives prodding about the necessity in rescuing Bishop) stories about their mentorship. It bounces around the globe to a myriad of locations for a myriad of purposes, most of which connect with this, that, and the other within the government in a fashion that's too networked to really care very much about. That murky focus on the event details almost seems purposeful, as the connection between Nathan and Tom instead bubbles to the top with Tony Scott's signature character charm. We see Thomas Bishop's evolution into a proficient wild card agent, much like Nathan, through a mix of semi-captivating, humorous, and bittersweet instructions -- ones that also scrape the surface a little on the complete lack of trustworthiness in their profession.
Tony Scott tells Bishop's story through Nathan's half-happy reflection with a slightly restrained hand in comparison to his other work, finding a rhythm for Spy Game that combines the frenetic editing style of Enemy of the State with only glimmers of the crisp visual luridness prevalent in his later pictures, namely a personal favorite in Man on Fire and, conversely, the acid-trip abomination Domino. Like Enemy of the State, it constantly moves; energy explodes repeatedly around every corner, something soaked in for pure excitement value by the viewers. Witnessing Bishop learn the ropes around this environment offers the best moments of the film, occurring at the forefront of Spy Game when our energy is still high and Tony Scott hasn't drug us through very much of his stylish energy ... yet.
 |
Spy Game would be a really good espionage film that nearly sidestepped the typical style-over-substance stigma from the director, if it weren't for one big issue: excessive, implausible plot convolution. At its root, the semi-narration from Redford's Muir pairs well with the excitement-bound, vignette-style recollection of his relationship with Thomas Bishop. Surrounding them, however, is a world of neo-political and sociological hubbub that does very little but scuff up and infuriate the pureness of Tony Scott's drive. It'd be one thing if this material stayed largely out of the spotlight, but Michael Frost Beckner's story tries fervently to interweave them tightly into the film's complications -- including a politically-charged romantic angle with Braveheart's ever-so-memorable Catherine McCormack -- and it dizzies up the flow. They manage to mask the incoherence with attractive set pieces and explosive action, something Tony Scott is naturally adept with, but it still feels like there's something missing from the mix when it rises from all that dust swirling around its hustle n' bustle with few fruits for its labor.
Ultimately, Scott makes us care about Muir and Bishop's relationship, the immediacy to rescue Bishop real-time, and Mir's blitz to poke and prod around alternatives to government intervention. Its strengths more than manage to overshadow the erratic tossed-like-a-salad plotting, making Spy Game a breakneck, excellently paced espionage blitz that highlights Brad Pitt and Robert Redford as two ample heroic and anti-heroic characters. Keen politics and cerebral suspense aren't its forte, but it certainly fills in those gaps with thrilling, hip excitement and pure intrigue.
The Blu-ray:
 |  |
Video and Audio:
Previously available from Universal as one of its stronger HD-DVD offerings, Spy Game now comes to Blu-ray framed at 2.35:1 within a higher bitrate 1080p VC-1 encode. Dancing between 28-33 mbps, Scott's film exercises rich detail and lurid contrast elements that render inky blacks, sharp metallic textures, and crisp textures throughout the presentation -- all handled extremely well here. Some scenes, however, pop out of focus a few times, while a peppering of dust and scratches are prevalent across the entire film. Along with the blips though, the transfer also retains an exceedingly film-like grain while staying distortion and edge-enhancement, a set of properties that keep its cinematic quality looking rather slick. Enjoyably lush industrial visuals hallmark the picture front to back, which make the largely visual director's film a nice eye-popper.
Getting a boost over a Dolby Digital 5.1 Plus track on the HD-DVD, a DTS HD Master Audio track has been included here. Robust, throaty bass and crisp midrange sound effects stretch liberally across the soundstage, creating a highly active sound design. The revving of engines, explosions, and a bombardment of other quick, sharp sound effects fill the speakers, keeping the activity high. Some vocal elements get a little low on the audibility scale and a few center-channel effects get lost in between the side and rear channels -- frequently traveling to the back in thick fashion -- but the overall clarity and action-hinged bass involvement mark this one as a very healthy and enjoyable track. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, and French, while French and Spanish DTS 5.1 tracks offer additional sound options.
Special Features:
Commentaries with Tony Scott, and with Producers Mark Abraham and Douglas Wick:
Both commentaries stay very matter-of-fact and intelligent, with Scott's commentary staying very scene-specific and a touch on the droll side -- talking about hopping between locations, performances, etc. The producer commentary spices things up a bit, introducing some interesting tidbits about Redford's reservations and prolonged script work.
Clandestine Ops:
Carried over from the HD-DVD, Clandestine Ops operates as a semi-interactive special feature that makes quick behind-the-scenes clips and "classified" information available. It's kinda-sorta close to a Picture-in-Picture without, well, the picture; instead of showing the material at the bottom left hand portion of the screen, it instead stops the film, shows the content, then returns back to the point where it stopped.
Also available are a short little Script-to-Storyboard Process (2:41, SD) featurette, a series of rough-looking Deleted (5:26, SD) and Alternate Scenes (14:17, SD) available with Tony Scott optional commentary, and a text-based Requirements for CIA Acceptance earmark. This disc has also been BD-Live enabled, as well as containing Bookmark / Chapter favorite selection for easy reference to key points in the picture.
Final Thoughts:
Tony Scott's Spy Game zips us cleanly through a two-hour-plus spy suspense, cranking us through stylish, globetrotting explosiveness with plenty of the director's regular tricks. He's working with a nice pairing of actors in Robert Redford and Brad Pitt that give the story the right amount of affection to inject immediacy into its flow. Though the stream of political nonsense clouds its impact, there's a crispness about Nathan Muir's reflections on Thomas Bishop that pulls in enough investment from the audience to stick with its befuddling mess of secondary plot elements.
Universal's Blu-ray presentation of Spy Gametacks on BD-Live support and a DTS HD Master Audio track for additional clarity in the audio department, giving the satisfyingly imperfect transfer and decent array of extras from the HD-DVD an extra dose of enjoyment. It's a Recommended high-definition experience of an enjoyably flawed spy thriller, especially if you're already a fan of both Tony Scott's lesser and greater pictures.
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