DISC FEATURES Specifications: DVD-Video Double-Sided Disc Region 1 Aspect Ratios: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen 4:3 Pan & Scan Dolby Digital Formats: English 5.1 Surround French 2.0 Surround Subtitles English French Closed Captioning: English Standard Features: Interactive Motion Menus Scene Access Supplements: screen-specific audio commentary with Director David Nutter Eleven Deleted Scenes including Original Ending Production Notes Theatrical Trailer List Price: $24.95 Released On: January 5th, 1998 EQUIPMENT NOTES Playback Monitor: Toshiba TW56D90 16x9 RPTV DVD Player: Panasonic A310 (via S-Output) Receiver: Pioneer VSX-310 Dolby Digital Receiver Speakers: PSB Front, Center & Rear with Powered Subwoofer CONFUSED BY TERMS? Visit the Glossary Of Terms for help on understandiing disc features and specifications. Also, visit our FAQs and Q+A for more tech help.
	Disturbing Behavior MGM / 1998 / 86 / Rated R Reviewed by Peter M. Bracke on March 1, 1999
		Coming rather early among the spate of post "Scream"-a-thons, Disturbing Behavior 's failure to scare up much box office was perhaps the first sign that the latest teen recycle boom was beginning to wane. Sort of the Stepford Teens crossed with dollops of Dawson's Creek and I Know What You Did Last Summer, and shot like an X-Files episode, the film ends up being neither scary nor suspenseful, and barely even makes any narrative sense at all. To be fair, it is important to note that the film went through extensive post-test screening tinkering, with much of the heart of the film ending up on the cutting room floor. However, even after viewing the deleted scenes (which are included on the disc), it is clear this is hardly some lost masterpiece. Though updating The Stepford Wives as a Scream-style teen horror vehicle may seem like a clever idea on paper, the execution is surprisingly gutless. Perhaps the most surprising flaw with the script is that screenwriter Scott Rosenberg doesn't seem to have much of a clue as to what he wantshis story to ultimately be about. The teen characters are barely given one dimension to play, and the conspiring adult figures fair even worse. If there is some sort of allegory for parental oppression, lost youth or what-have-you lurking in this mess, I certainly couldn't find it. And, unfortunately, the cast of up-and-comers barely registers. Although the ads and box cover paint Dawson alum Katie Holmes as the star of the piece, it is actually James Marsden who is the film's lead, and he pretty much draws a blank as a leading man. Holmes fairs only about as well, notching up literally about 5 lines of dialogue in the whole film (here two brief scenes of note ended up on the cutting room floor). Only Nick Stahl as a disaffected and laconic outsider has much presence, and unfortunately he too is dropped as a character less than midway through the film. Most problematic is lead villain Bruce Greenwood, who is completely unthreatening nor imposing, and even more laughable still is a loopy character turn by William Sadler as a retarded janitor obsessed with rat-killing (no, I'm not making this up). And the last fifteen minutes of the film have to be seen to be believed. Like last summer's other major horror entry, Halloween H20, it is if after setting up the threadbare plot, the filmmakers suddenly decide to race and see how fast they can end the film. Suffice to say that the final confrontation is ludicrous, and both he original and new ending are less-than-satisfactory. Although the door is left open for a sequel (what, you're surprised?), luckily the film's poor box office seems to have squashed that ever happening. But, as DVD continues to prove, a bad film does not necessarily make a bad disc, and Disturbing Behavior gets the deluxe treatment here from MGM, and the disc enlivens what could have been a very mediocre experience. Video Both a 1.85:1 widescreen presentation (enhanced for 16x9 televisions) and a full frame pan and scan version are included. Both images are top notch. the majority of this film takes place at night or in very subdued and X-Files-like lighting, and the transfer delivers strong detail even in the shadows. Black level is spot on, and color seems appropriate to the film. It should be noted there is excessively incorrect fleshtones, but this is completely intended by the filmmakers. This is one of those rather pretentious horror films that insists on throwing harsh green, yellow and blue tones onto everything for no apparent reason. There are a few compression artifacts noticeable, most notably in the nice opening credit sequence, but overall a fine transfer from MGM. Audio The 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack is as expected for a recent production. There are some nice atmospheric effects here and there, and the usual shrieking music cues an sudden "shock" sound effects are rendered quite forcefully. However, like most movies nowadays, sound mixers tend to overdo the big moments, and the quieter moments then want for a more enveloping sound field. Also, some bits of dialogue are often mixed a bit too low. The also typical alternative "hip" soundtrack is rendered well, and overall a nice sound mix. There is also a French 2.0 Surround mix, which is good but not quite as effective as the full 5.1. Supplements The most appealing part of the disc is definitely the supplements. 11 (!) deleted scenes are provided, including the original ending, and most if not all the scenes should never have been cut in the first place. As the cut film now runs a scant 84 minutes, I'm not sure what those in charge of the this film were thinking. Again, it will never be a masterpiece, but at least the cut scenes would have allowed the film tp make sense. Director David Nutter provides a running screen-specific audio commentary throughout the film as well as over all the cut scenes, and his tone is one of restrained animosity, and ultimately resignation at the butchering of the film. Truth be told, it is a bit depressing to listen. But, hey, that's Hollywood. At least MGM has provided DVD as an outlet for the cut scenes to be shown. In addition to the main attractions of the cut footage and the commentary, a music video for The Fly's "Got You Where I Want You" is also included, as is the theatrical trailer and a nice little 4-page booklet with some production notes. Conclusion In all, a nice package. Too bad the film wasn't a bit better, though the cut scenes improve it a bit (wish they were reedited in the film proper). For $24.95, this is a good deal for anyone is actually a fan of the film. In any event, this is an okay rental some night for horror fans, just don't set your sights very high. »»  RETURN TO REVIEW DATABASE

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