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Reindeer Games
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
"Reindeer Games" is an oddball thriller from Ronin director John Frankenheimer. Overly twisty and silly at times, the film seems too satisfyed with the dialogue between the characters to worry about pace or providing any sort of thrills. Of the film's many problems, story is pretty much at the top. Belivability is strained, and I began to lose patience with the film quickly.
The film opens with Rudy Duncan(Ben Affleck) and his friend Nick waiting to be released from prison. Rudy is essentially walking out into nothing, but Nick has Ashley(Charleze Theron) waiting for him - a girl he's been having a pen pal thing with in prison. Before they're released, the two get into a fight and Nick is killed. When Rudy walks out and sees Ashley waiting there, he decides to become Nick.
I don't think I'd be revealing anything that's not in the trailer already by saying that Ashley's brother Gabriel( Gary Sinese, looking more like Steve Buscemi) stops by and things become less jolly in this holiday thriller. See, Nick told Ashley that he used to work in an major casino, and they think Rudy is Nick, and...well, you get the idea.
The screenplay by Ehren Kruger("Arlington Road") is essentially way too talky. That would be fine if the dialogue or story was the least bit interesting, but with the dull plot and slow pace, it makes for an awful long journey. He's the guy the're looking for, he's not the guy they're looking for. Sinse wants to kill him, he doesn't want to kill him, and on and on. The film could have made something entertaining out of the fact that Rudy has to rob a casino he knows nothing about, but the film takes the plot so absurdly seriously that it's no fun.
Affleck isn't too bad here, but I'm clueless as to why Theron accepted this role. This is a poorly written character and the actress seems out of place and deserves better. Affleck does what he can with the role, but at least he seems fairly right for it. Sinise is well, who knows after the combination of this and "Snake Eyes".
"Reindeer Games" is one of those films where you want less talk and more action. The performances aren't bad, but the story is slow and it's now intense enough to be much of an action film. Maybe if it wouldn't take itself so seriously it would be more entertaining, but oh well.
The DVD
VIDEO: Miramax shows what they're capable of with "Reindeer Games"; a transfer that's quite excellent throughout. The film is presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and captures the film's locations well. From the subdued, pale opening in the prison to the later scenes in the casino, images are well-defined and accurate. Part of the slight entertainment of watching the film is watching the occasional creative and strangely composed shot to fill up the 2.35:1 frame.
Sharpness is good; the presentation seems natural and smooth throughout, with good detail and depth. Clarity is never lacking, either. Colors are natural and clean, from the subdued early scenes to the richer colors in later scenes. Of course, in a movie that takes place in the midst of a whole lot of snow, there's a lot of white in the image. Colors aren't problematic in any way. Flesh tones are accurate and natural, as well.
There's not a whole lot in the way of flaws. There's a small little scratch or two once or twice, but that's about all there is. Pixelation and shimmering do not make an appearance, and the picture seems more natural and enjoyable as a result. Many scenes are dark, but they seem appropriate here, and never too dark.
It's a good transfer, and an enjoyable viewing experience that presents the movie nicely. The main menu has the option to view the film either in the 2.35:1 widescreen format or a pan&scan version.
SOUND: I'd expected more intensity from the film and I suppose the sound goes along with that expectation as well. The early portion of the film really doesn't have too much to offer, with the sound mostly coming from the front, with the occasional light surround use.
The music does remain a constantly pleasant element, sounding clear and dynamic throughout. Once the film does get to about the halfway point, both the soundtrack and the movie begin to wake up a little more. Gunfire, car chases and a few more agressive sequences make for a more lively experience. Although it becomes more agressive, it certainly isn't anything too remarkable. It certainly doesn't compare to Affleck's "Armageddon" in the audio department.
There's a few good audio sequences, but for the most part, this is simply very talky - dialogue-driven for much of the way. Dialogue is clear and easily heard. Not bad, but don't go in expecting an all-out action soundtrack.
MENUS:: Pretty basic menus with film-themed art.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director John Frankenheimer. Although I haven't always enjoyed all of Frankenheimer's movies, I have found his discussions of this film and "Ronin" to be interesting and entertaining. He does go into discussing a little too much of what's happening on-screen a few times, but when he focuses more on the production details, the discussion becomes more energetic and interesting to listen to.
The director covers all of the bases quite well, talking about the problems of shooting in the cold weather, finding snow, and the story. I didn't particularly feel the film did well with what little story it has, but it's still interesting to hear the director's opinion on it. There is the occasional pause during the commentary, but the director seems to try his best to keep the talk going for as much as the film as he can. It's not an outstanding commentary, but it's pretty solid.
Trailer: The trailer, presented in Dolby 2.0/Full-Frame, which makes the film look like more action-oriented than it is.
Featurette: This is a short featurette that has some interviews and a lot of on-set footage. It's a pretty interesting little documentary, and better than the "extended trailer" featurettes that Disney usually offers on their DVDs.
, Final Thoughts: "Reindeer Games" is essentially a fine disc from Disney in terms of quality, but the movie itself is a pretty dull thriller with silly twists and an even sillier surprise ending. A dissapointment. Maybe a rental, at most.
"Reindeer Games" is an oddball thriller from Ronin director John Frankenheimer. Overly twisty and silly at times, the film seems too satisfyed with the dialogue between the characters to worry about pace or providing any sort of thrills. Of the film's many problems, story is pretty much at the top. Belivability is strained, and I began to lose patience with the film quickly.
The film opens with Rudy Duncan(Ben Affleck) and his friend Nick waiting to be released from prison. Rudy is essentially walking out into nothing, but Nick has Ashley(Charleze Theron) waiting for him - a girl he's been having a pen pal thing with in prison. Before they're released, the two get into a fight and Nick is killed. When Rudy walks out and sees Ashley waiting there, he decides to become Nick.
I don't think I'd be revealing anything that's not in the trailer already by saying that Ashley's brother Gabriel( Gary Sinese, looking more like Steve Buscemi) stops by and things become less jolly in this holiday thriller. See, Nick told Ashley that he used to work in an major casino, and they think Rudy is Nick, and...well, you get the idea.
The screenplay by Ehren Kruger("Arlington Road") is essentially way too talky. That would be fine if the dialogue or story was the least bit interesting, but with the dull plot and slow pace, it makes for an awful long journey. He's the guy the're looking for, he's not the guy they're looking for. Sinse wants to kill him, he doesn't want to kill him, and on and on. The film could have made something entertaining out of the fact that Rudy has to rob a casino he knows nothing about, but the film takes the plot so absurdly seriously that it's no fun.
Affleck isn't too bad here, but I'm clueless as to why Theron accepted this role. This is a poorly written character and the actress seems out of place and deserves better. Affleck does what he can with the role, but at least he seems fairly right for it. Sinise is well, who knows after the combination of this and "Snake Eyes".
"Reindeer Games" is one of those films where you want less talk and more action. The performances aren't bad, but the story is slow and it's now intense enough to be much of an action film. Maybe if it wouldn't take itself so seriously it would be more entertaining, but oh well.
The DVD
VIDEO: Miramax shows what they're capable of with "Reindeer Games"; a transfer that's quite excellent throughout. The film is presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and captures the film's locations well. From the subdued, pale opening in the prison to the later scenes in the casino, images are well-defined and accurate. Part of the slight entertainment of watching the film is watching the occasional creative and strangely composed shot to fill up the 2.35:1 frame.
Sharpness is good; the presentation seems natural and smooth throughout, with good detail and depth. Clarity is never lacking, either. Colors are natural and clean, from the subdued early scenes to the richer colors in later scenes. Of course, in a movie that takes place in the midst of a whole lot of snow, there's a lot of white in the image. Colors aren't problematic in any way. Flesh tones are accurate and natural, as well.
There's not a whole lot in the way of flaws. There's a small little scratch or two once or twice, but that's about all there is. Pixelation and shimmering do not make an appearance, and the picture seems more natural and enjoyable as a result. Many scenes are dark, but they seem appropriate here, and never too dark.
It's a good transfer, and an enjoyable viewing experience that presents the movie nicely. The main menu has the option to view the film either in the 2.35:1 widescreen format or a pan&scan version.
SOUND: I'd expected more intensity from the film and I suppose the sound goes along with that expectation as well. The early portion of the film really doesn't have too much to offer, with the sound mostly coming from the front, with the occasional light surround use.
The music does remain a constantly pleasant element, sounding clear and dynamic throughout. Once the film does get to about the halfway point, both the soundtrack and the movie begin to wake up a little more. Gunfire, car chases and a few more agressive sequences make for a more lively experience. Although it becomes more agressive, it certainly isn't anything too remarkable. It certainly doesn't compare to Affleck's "Armageddon" in the audio department.
There's a few good audio sequences, but for the most part, this is simply very talky - dialogue-driven for much of the way. Dialogue is clear and easily heard. Not bad, but don't go in expecting an all-out action soundtrack.
MENUS:: Pretty basic menus with film-themed art.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director John Frankenheimer. Although I haven't always enjoyed all of Frankenheimer's movies, I have found his discussions of this film and "Ronin" to be interesting and entertaining. He does go into discussing a little too much of what's happening on-screen a few times, but when he focuses more on the production details, the discussion becomes more energetic and interesting to listen to.
The director covers all of the bases quite well, talking about the problems of shooting in the cold weather, finding snow, and the story. I didn't particularly feel the film did well with what little story it has, but it's still interesting to hear the director's opinion on it. There is the occasional pause during the commentary, but the director seems to try his best to keep the talk going for as much as the film as he can. It's not an outstanding commentary, but it's pretty solid.
Trailer: The trailer, presented in Dolby 2.0/Full-Frame, which makes the film look like more action-oriented than it is.
Featurette: This is a short featurette that has some interviews and a lot of on-set footage. It's a pretty interesting little documentary, and better than the "extended trailer" featurettes that Disney usually offers on their DVDs.
, Final Thoughts: "Reindeer Games" is essentially a fine disc from Disney in terms of quality, but the movie itself is a pretty dull thriller with silly twists and an even sillier surprise ending. A dissapointment. Maybe a rental, at most.
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