DVD Reviews

Dark Blue (Special Edition)

Kurt Russell turns in another fantastic and under-rated performance as a troubled cop in Dark Blue. Using the Rodney King incident as a backdrop, corruption within authority is examined. A familiar premise to be certain but the believable dialogue and reality based reinforcement keep you watching until the end. Not the feel-good-hit-of-the-summer by any means, it does end on a slightly up beat note.
Picture quality offers a great transfer. Colours are nicely defined, reinforced in one scene showing a light green door with red trim. Both colours are cleanly reproduced. Nice black level and flesh tones appear accurate. A very crisp and detailed picture overall. Both wide screen and pan and scan versions are offered.

Soundtrack is good. Clean and clear vocals and good low end. Surround field seems subdued in parts (strip club, police station) but delivers where it counts (car chases and such). Music track wasn't memorable but provided a great soundstage, nicely recorded.

A nicely animated main menu has animated transitions to still frame secondary menus. The musical accompaniment does not grow tiresome fast and navigation is smooth. Features include audio commentary by director Ron Shelton that offers mostly technical background to the movie. If taking a course on film making, it could prove interesting. There is a three part behind the scene featurette which runs interviews with the stars and standard how we did it stuff. The "Necessary Force" piece is the best of the three. The photo gallery holds 25 publicity shots and becomes a forgettable addition.

Another controversial flick that got snubbed at the box office probably due to its content. If this were released, say, 3 years after the Rodney King incident, perhaps it may have been better received. At this point, I think everyone is just getting tired of it. Still, worth a look.

Review By Joey Chill