DVD Reviews

Cold Mountain (Collector's Edition 2-Disc Set)

Cold Mountain; starring Nicole Kidman. When I see her name headlining a movie it never motivates me to run out to the theatre and check out the flick. She’s a good actor. I mean she continues to work, so she must be doing some things right. Now, having managed to avoid its theatrical run, I was less than thrilled to come home one day to find a copy of the Cold Mountain DVD sitting on my kitchen counter. I didn’t want to watch this movie, but since the DVD was in my house I figured I’d give it a go.

Well, surprisingly, I was glad I did. Cold Mountain is an epic action adventure that is pushed along by an incredibly deep love story surrounding the two main characters, Ada (Kidman) and Inman (Jude Law). The movie begins at the dawn of the American Civil War and follows Inman as he comes to realize that he doesn’t believe in what the Confederate army has him fighting for. After nearly losing his life, he walks away from the war to get back to Ada. This is where the adventure really begins as Inman goes on his journey back to Cold Mountain and encounters situations and characters that make this movie such a compelling adventure. Meanwhile Ada, unsure as to whether or not Inman is alive, must find the will to survive.

Renee Zellweger is amazing as the completely rough and independent Ruby Thewes. Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s preacher portrayal should disgust you at times, and the rest of the supporting cast completely wraps you into the story and doesn’t let you go until the credits roll. Yes, even Nicole Kidman is solid. The only problem I had with the entire story was that it takes a little faith to believe how in love Ada and Inman are. In my opinion, they didn’t really know anything about each other, so how could they be so in love? But if you believe in love at first sight you’ll be alright with everything.

Technically this DVD rocks. Even if the story does nothing for you, the cinematography should blow you away. It’s a beautifully shot movie and that comes across tremendously on the DVD. The sound is great offering both 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS. The major explosion in the film rocked my living room. The special features on disc 2 are more than enough. There are 3 documentaries, two on the "Making of…" and one focusing on the words and music of the movie. All 3 are incredibly detailed, and if you are at all interested in knowing how a film is made from start to finish, screenplay to premiere, you will be completely satisfied. The feature commentary is with Writer/Director Anthony Minghella and Editor Waltor Munch, and again is worth accessing from a movie making stand point. You also get deleted scenes and storyboard comparisons.

Cold Mountain is a big studio production; creatively, technically and financially. The DVD represents the quality we should expect from a big studio production. Two discs, a good movie, technical quality, and extras that are worth watching.

Review By A.J. Leitch