Review of Usual Suspects, The: Special Edition 2 Disc Set

Introduction

The Usual Suspects is one of those films that gained massive cult status, critical respect, a healthy return at the box office and its subsequent sale of video and DVD. Director and Producer Singer (then 27) takes an ensemble cast, an excellent script and makes a bit of cinema history in 5 weeks on a shoestring budget.

The Usual Suspects are rounded up for a crime any one of them could have committed (it doesn`t really matter), and from here a plot is hatched for a heist. Although, if you`ve watched the film a couple of times, you realise that this is actually puppeteering, and that a more rewarding and dangerous heist must be accomplished by these men before they can leave. And what keeps these men from just walking there and then? The mythical figure Keyser Soze whose infamy on his terrible nature stops these men from walking away.

The film questions the validity of this character, if he exists, who he is, and throws a lot of misinformation in the way of the viewer. And this is its finest point - the number of red herrings it throws out is phenomenal. Without careful direction or editing, could have ended up being a garbled mess. But the fact that it is bought back to a coherent whole in the final reel (or is it?) along with a Sixth Sense "I must watch the film again to see what I missed" is testament to its genius… and its place up there with the cinema greats.

This was originally released as a "just another" DVD, no extras, poor print and stereo sound. I`m so glad to see this film has gotten the special edition release it finally deserved on DVD

Video

Shot as a 2.35:1 anamorphic film, it is good to finally see the print we originally saw in the cinemas (or on NTSC laserdisc, were you lucky enough to own one!). The encoding extracts excellent detail from some very murky and dimly lit scenes, which is testament to the care and attention that has been lavished on this disk. The rest is up to a high standard too, well lit scenes are bright and crisp, skin tones are spot on, and the whole picture has a very natural "real" feel about it.

Audio

I can only remember watching this film in Dolby Pro Logic many moons ago. With an updated disk (and updated equipment!) I finally appreciate the film`s sound as the director intended. The score meanders around the mid bass section, dipping lightly into low and sub bass, wallowing in the gloom and setting the scene nicely at the start of the film. This has a good three-dimensional presence in the room with all speakers being used to a good, but subtle effect.

Dialogue is clear at all times (well apart from Del Toro`s performance of course!), and sounds are placed well throughout the room. Don`t expect sonic fireworks however. This film isn`t about that, and the score is there to enhance the visual drama. Sure, the sound is important in this dialogue heavy film, but as I said before, it is all used to "subtle" effect.

Features

A lot has been packed onto this double disk, and most of it is of a very high quality indeed. Keyser Soze: Lie or Legend is a featurette debating whether Keyser Soze existed at all, or who he was. It seems as though there was some confusion on set as to who he was, but with some clever camera trickery explained you can work it out for yourself (if you haven`t by watching the film). There are a couple of places on the DVD where the meaning of the word "Soze" is given, and this should quell any further rumours about the identity of this character.

Round Up: Deposing The Usual Suspects is an excellent feature with the actors and director speaking about getting the actors to play these parts, and then some of the antics that went on during the filming. What I really LOVE about this is the complete absence of adoration and mush that surrounds so many Hollywood movies today. Bryan Singer speaks openly and honestly about their choices, and the actors speak the same way about him, the film and how they contributed to the film. This level of honesty really works well for the documentary`s coda when they all come out and say how proud they were to be a part of this film.

Bryan Singer`s Gag Reel is a little piece he set up for the cast and crew as a gift to them of their memories of the shoot. Its really only mildly amusing, and you can see how much deterioration has taken place over the years.

Deleted Scenes are hosted by John Ottman, the editor and composer, with a brief explanation of what the scene was and why it was cut before showing the scene itself. Ottman gives excellent explanations as to why each scene was cut, and also states that it was a friend of his who had these cut scenes on an old VHS tape… and it shows!

"Introducing the Usual Suspects" is the original promo featurette for this film and is pretty boring. Just aspects of the film, intercut with the actors "hyping" it to convince people to go and see it.

"Taking out the Usual Suspects" is an amusing look at outtakes done for the interviews created for the DVD Special Edition, and worth watching, as you realise that this process is prone to goofs - again, showing the honesty that this film has been attributed with.

There are two commentary tracks on this DVD. One from director Bryan Singer and writer Chris McQuarrie, and the other from editor/composer John Ottman. I preferred the director/writer commentary, but I feel the reason for this is that I find Singer a lot more interesting to listen to. However McQuarrie gives over a lot of interesting stuff too.

Conclusion

An excellent and very mature film from a (then) little known 27-year-old director with a lot of talent, passion and enthusiasm. Finally the film has been released with a razor sharp 2.35:1 anamorphic picture and a 5.1 score, helping the films dark nature come through. When the Suspects start to hijack the boat, you realise the enormity of the task they have in front of them - something I feel which has gotten lost on previous releases of this film.

So, Suspects has finally been given the special edition treatment it deserves. It seems that MGM are doing this for quite a few of its back catalogue classics, and if they are up to this sort of standard, I know this won`t be the last one I`ll be shelling out for. Well done MGM!