I know I've been giving a lot of 10 out of 10's lately when it comes to a movie, however, I am not giving these grades, the movies are earning them. Francis Ford Coppola's war classic starts off with Army Lieutenant Willard (Martin Sheen), who, upon his return to Vietnam, is given an extra secret mission of taking out a crazed colonel by the name of Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Along the way to his mission, Willard embarks on an odyssey of sorts from finding himself and what he needs to do. I don't want to say much more, because that is basically the movie in a nut shell. The acting is great (Brando, Sheen, Robert Duvall, and a young Laurence Fishburne), the direction is superb and groundbreaking, and the story is that of the darkness within all of us and how we deal with it. However, there is something I need to comment of on this version of the film. It's an extra fifty minutes longer, most of which involving a French Plantation scene and an extended Playboy Bunny scene. This is where the film becomes a matter of personal preference, do you like the original or the director's cut? The film is long, and this may steer some away, however, it is a classic, and I did enjoy the added footage. I felt, at least most of the time, it added something, and at least in this case, more is better.
Video: 10/10
The other highlight of this Redux was that of a totally remastered transfer which looks absolutely dazzling. For an older film with such vivid colors, it is absolute perfection. I dare to say that it is rare to see a better looking film. You also can't even notice the additions being of a different quality.
Audio: 10/10
Again, totally remastered. It sounds like you are in the middle of everything. Additions sound the same, which is perfect. This is a great looking and sounding disc.
Extras: 2/10
This is where Paramount really dropped the ball. There is nothing for this absolutely fine film except a really decent trailer. (That's why I gave it a two.) Why didn't it come with the original version of the film? A commentary? Coppola always does them! What a disappointment!
Overall: 8/10
The film and transfers are worth it. Just determine if you like Redux or Original. GREAT FILM!
- Dr. Strangelove
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