Review of Spartan

Introduction

Spartan is another classic example of why people get multi-region DVD players. Released on region 1 DVD at the same time as it makes it to the UK cinema, this was a film which rather bombed at the US box office and seems to be getting a low key release over here. But you can check it out on DVD instead thanks to these wonderful region differences.

Val Kilmer plays the hero, a tough guy, government trained black-ops style killer. He also trains future generations of government spooks. But he also gets to go back into the field when the daughter of a senator goes missing. This mission is going to be a bit more complex than usual though, as it seems that someone is not telling the truth.....

Video

We are greeted by a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer which is excellent. This is a very recent film so you would expect a high quality transfer and you get it. The image is always crystal clear, detail levels are high, the colours look nice and blacks are nice and black. There`s very little dirt or print damage visible and no grain either. An excellent transfer indeed.

Audio

A DD5.1 soundtrack is on offer and this is also a solid effort. Some good surround work, plenty of bass and the film`s score are the highlights here. It`s not a big boom and bang type track, but I don`t think it needs to be given that the film isn`t always about that kind of action. Dialogue is clean and crisp at all times.

Ah yes, dialogue. This is a David Mamet film you see, so characters often sound like they are speaking in riddles or even speaking in tongues. If you can put up with this then you`ll be fine with the film, but it`s likely to put off some potential viewers. You have to make a few leaps of faith in order to work out what`s going on, and what some of the characters are actually talking about.

Features

An audio commentary track from Val Kilmer is the only real extra on show here. He sounds a little strange all through the track, but he does have plenty to say about working on the film, working with Mamet and shooting various scenes. He also jokes around quite a bit, but there are quite a few gaps, which always annoy me on commentary tracks. It`s certainly interesting to listen to if you managed to make it all the way through the film.

There`s also a trailer.

Conclusion

So a chance to watch a film at home that`s just out at the cinema. Just as well really since it would have been distracting to have so many people walking out at the cinema screening, or talking to each other trying to find out just what`s happening on the screen. Mamet seems to work on a "much less than you need to know" basis, so if you can`t make a guess at what`s going on yourself, you`ll get very frustrated watching this film.

The film does get a bit confused, wondering whether it`s a big action film or a twisty-turny thriller, or a bit of a mish-mash of both. I still quite enjoyed watching it, and it probably does hold up to another viewing, particularly because you`ll have filled in some of the blanks by the time you watch it for a second time. There are some interesting moments, and Mamet`s certainly trying to say something, but I`m not quite sure what.

The DVD is a good effort with great picture and sound, let down by a lack of extras. But since this did nothing at the US box office, it`s unsurprising. Definitely worth a rental from your local region 1 rentailer, or wait for the region 2 DVD. You could even go to the cinema and watch it! Just don`t be surprised if you see a lot of confused faces around.