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Chinatown
is an unqualified classic, and the kind of movie that probably
would be compromised if someone were to make it today. The
thing that I appreciate most about the 70's as a movie decade
is that the studios weren't as fearful as they are today about
making movies that end on a down note. Filmmakers were allowed
to be profound instead of having contrived happy endings forced
upon them. Chinatown undoubtedly benefits from this sensibility.
Chinatown
is a complex film, emotionally and narratively. As one character
admonishes Jack Nicholson's JJ Gittes, "you may think you
know what you're dealing with, but believe me, you don't."
This is a film you really have to watch and listen to, and
be involved with. If you do, you are rewarded with one of
the richest film noir mysteries in cinema history.
The acting
is first rate, with Nicholson displaying a depth he is not
often credited with. Faye Dunaway is perfect, and I personally
regarded her a great, and underrated actress, and she's never
been better than she is here. And the great director John
Huston is menacing and powerful in his brilliant acting turn
here.
Chinatown
is gorgeously directed, with stylish photography that is marvelously
low-key with full compositions that use the entire width of
the CinemaScope frame as well as offering fantastic depth
of foreground and background. Director Roman Polanski was
at the top of his game here, and the result is a modern classic.
Video: How Does The Disc Look?
Chinatown
is presented in anamorphic widescreen, preserving the original
2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio. The picture quality is outstanding
in every way. The colors of the stylized photography are deep
and saturated. The picture has depth and dimensionality. Black
level and shadow detail are terrific. Only a slight amount
of grain and the slightest lack of fine detail keeps this
disc from a reference rating for video. But this is the best
I've ever seen this great movie look on video.
Audio: How Does the Disc Sound?
Chinatown
has a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack as well as a
restored version of the original English mono soundtrack (a
separate French mono track is also provided). Spatially, the
5.1 remaster is very nice, offering nice separation of the
film's haunting score and good directionality up front. The
surrounds aren't employed a whole lot, which is probably judicious
with respect to preserving the intent of the original mono
soundtrack. The overall fidelity, including that of the score,
is thin and harsh, however, prompting me to turn on Re-EQ
five minutes into the movie.
Supplements: What Goodies Are There? Chinatown
includes the theatrical trailer, which is astounding
for how much of the movie it gives away! If you haven't seen
Chinatown, don't make the mistake of watching this trailer
first! Also included are a series of newly produced retrospective
interviews with director Roman Polanksi, writer Robert
Towne, and producer Robert Evans. The total running time on
these interviews is about 15-20 minutes, and I only wish they
lasted longer! They offer frank and terrific insights into
the writing, casting and production. Chinatown also offers
menus that are nicely done (but I don't know if I'd call them
"dynamic and interactive" as the packaging indicates...)
Final
Thoughts
Chinatown
is a great movie and I've been looking forward to this disc
since Paramount jumped into DVD. Paramount has made it worth
the wait with a fine transfer and a terrific set of interviews.
Hopefully these extras and the menus are an indication that
Paramount will be offering more special features on their
disc in the future. If they're as good as what I see here,
I can't wait!
I'd also
note that the price/value rating below is an objective reflection
of the fact that the audio suffers from the quality of the
original elements involved and that the supplements aren't
numerous. But make no mistake, what is here is of very high
quality and this disc receives my highest recommendation.
(Chinatown
was also followed by a Jack Nicholson-directed sequel, The
Two Jakes.)
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