Review of Panic Room

Introduction

Trapped in a steel cube, there is no escape. No escape from what is going on outside - the only defence you have is a CCTV console and a phone wired up to the nearby police station. Problem is, the phone isn`t connected. Second problem - the people on the outside, who are malicously robbing your house with almost a sense of great ease, want to get in. Third problem - they know how to get in...

That is the synopsis of Panic Room, the latest flick from David Fincher, a director whose unique visual style mixes with a great story-telling technique. He`s the guy who gave the world Se7en and Fight Club - two films that literally shook cinema`s foundations in the late 90s, although the latter was argubably the better film.

So, after two successful films, there must be a crap one, because as they say, pride comes before a fall. Most directors would follow up their success with an even more complicated film, which instead of being subtle and good, would be blatant and unwatchable. Again, in typical Fincher fashion he defied the rules of cinema. He has increased his success.

Video

It is presented in 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen and the visuals are deep and well defined, with flesh tones just right, and there are no compression signs visible. The print, being very recent, is crisp and clear throughout, and it is free of dust and grain thankfully.

This is a David Fincher film. Expect slick camerawork. Period. From the visually-stimulating opening credits (how they were created is a story unto itself) to the `into the wire and through the walls` technique (and many others), Panic Room doesn`t need a script in parts - just watch what happens: after all, in my opinion, one of the golden rules of cinema is - show, and don`t tell. And showing everything in an ingeniously ambitous way is just what this film delivers. Even if you hate the content, it`s worth a watch for the visuals alone...

Audio

A choice of DTS or DD 5.1 tracks are on offer, and both deliver the same ear-shattering experience, but if you possess a DTS decoder, go for the former. The surrounds kick into action during the set-pieces, and deliver crystal-clear audio. The main audio stream is also crisp and clear - every line of dialogue or ambient background music is delivered just how one would expect from a 2002 release.

The script is good, and packs entertainment with the odd amusing line, and plenty of action and tension. Any problems on the writing front? Unfortunately, yeah - Koepp has written a film clearly inspired by Home Alone, and although it has matured into something aimed for older generations, it still lacks any real depth or thought provocation. But then again, for people wanting pure entertainment, then I withdraw my complaint - but note: it still hovers around in the air...

Features

Ah, a 2002 release. Yep, all fresh and new, a good film presented well so far. So surely Columbia, one of the leading DVD studios, will not disappoint. Or that`s what one should think until they stumble upon the extra material. Or more to it, the lack of extra material...

All we get is a teaser trailer (proudly boasted as `made by David Fincher`) and filmographies. Wake up! This is 2002! DVD is a premier format, outselling VHS! Where the hell are the extras? Has April Fools Day come early?

Sadly, no. Yes, Panic Room really only has a teaser trailer and static CV`s...nothing more, nothing less (but then again - can you get any less?!). When this disc was first announced, it was going to have various documentaries focusing on all aspects of the production, but then these suddenly vanished. I have drawn a conclusion from this folks - bloating the Hollywood cash cow. Somewhere down the line, the lovely people at Columbia will release a Special Edition, no doubt packing these documentaries (and hopefully more). The reason? Milking the consumer, that`s what. However, this is probably their `official` view - Region 1 got a Superbit release (better visuals + audio...non-existent extras), they decided to even the regions and not let Region 2 have the better hand. Bugger.

Conclusion

So, is it complex, unique and provocative? No. Panic Room is simple, it is fun, it is exhilarating. You don`t need to be on opium to understand it either. It is what cinema goers want: simple entertainment. David Koepp`s screenplay stays just on the right side of good work, and whilst Panic Room is slightly too long, it is very good. Jodie Foster seems the perfect choice as the mother who is thrust into her `panic room` along with her teenage daughter when three burglars (Jared Leto - Fight Club et al; Forest Whitaker - Ghost Dog: Way of The Samuri et al; and Dwight Yoakum) break into their swanky house. It is claustrophobic (the entire movie is set in the house), and to summarise the film in one sentence: it is an outing in tension, a film that will make your brain go into overdrive as the many set-pieces kick into full swing until the finale that wraps things up in a (slightly predictable) crisp package.

Disc wise, the presentation is excellent...crisp visuals and crisp audio. Extras? Don`t make me laugh...

Overall, a good package, spoiled somewhat because Columbia forget to put the extras on. Get your wallets out now, and remember to get them out again in the near future as I`m sure they`ll `remember` the extras...