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Enemy of the State - DVD
Writer: David MarconiDirector: Tony Scott Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer Studio: Disney / Buena Vista Characters: Robert Clayton Dean - Will Smith Edward Lyle - Gene Hackman Thomas Brian Reynolds - Jon Voight Rachel Banks - Lisa Bonet Features: Production Featurette, Filmmakers Featurette, Theatrical Trailer, Chapters Search, Widescreen 2.35:1, ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1, FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo Review:When I first laid hands on the Enemy of the State DVD, I was very, very excited. It was, after all, from Touchstone Pictures (a Disney subsiduary), and as such I expected the usual dearth of extras. To my surprise, I noticed on a nice sticker on the cover that the DVD included two (not one, but TWO) production featurettes, as well as trailers, and various other things Disney consider to be extras (like sound and color). First, though, I'll cover the movie itself. Enemy of the State is a thriller starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman. It was directed by Tony Scott (Days of Thunder, Crimson Tide, The Last Boy Scout) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Armageddon, The Rock, Top Gun). Given the pedigree, I expected a lot of flash, but not a lot of story. Boy was I surprised. The film covers the destruction of the life of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith) by the National Security Agency. After Dean inadvertantly comes into contact with a video containing some very incriminating evidence against a high up NSA officer (Jon Voight), the NSA proceeds to deconstruct his life. Some of the scenes of the deconstruction will bring up memories of Sandra Bullock's movie The Net (and rightfully so), but this movie is much more plausible (though there are still a few stretches), and is written in such a way that the deconstruction is only one facet of a very multi-faceted story. I can't reveal a whole lot more without giving away too much of the plot (the surprises are half the fun), but I will say that Gene Hackman plays Edward Lyle, a former NSA agent who (sort of) helps Dean battle against the evil NSA and all their way-cool high tech gear. Lisa Bonet also makes an appearance as Dean's ex-love interest and questionable materials courier. Enemy of the State is a film which relies solely on its ability to cover its own possible plotholes in order to work, and in this area the film does an oustanding job. The script is written in such a way that not only is the deconstruction of Dean's life absolutely believable, but is very frightening. The complexity of the script is also what may keep the film from a wider audience. Quite simply, if you are not paying attention when you're watching this movie, the odds are very good that you will not "get it". So all I can say, is when watching this movie PAY ATTENTION! As for the DVD itself...well, like I said above, when I had the DVD in hand, I was very excited by the sticker. I put the DVD in the drive, and immediately went to the "extra features" section. In there, I found the theatrical trailer (one of the better trailers I've seen, sets up the mood, but doesn't give away any of the surprises), and both production featurettes, as well as trailers for three other Bruckheimer produced movies. I watched the production featurettes, and to say they're a let down is an understatement. Both featurettes are actually little more than extended trailers with snippets of interviews with the major players inserted. I didn't expect much more than the usual studio produced garbage, but this is way below par. Both featurettes are so similiar in content, they could've easily been edited into one longer piece of garbage. Oh, and I didn't even mention the length. Each featurette is no longer than five minutes (and they say size doesn't matter). All in all, if I were the type of person who graded movies, I'd give Enemy of the State a solid B+. Well worth a rental, and for fans of the genre, a purchase. This is a great Saturday night movie. As for the extras, they bite. Disney screws it up again (but I shouldn't really be surprised). Ken Pierce Dvdken@home.com Contributing Editor, www.dvdfuture.com |
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