'The Usual Suspects' is the kind of film ideally suited to home video. Not for reasons of scale or the differences between film and video, though this type of film generally plays well on video, but because video is usually the only way a film like this can find its audience. Lacking the big money marketing of a major studio or a "big star" cast, this is the kind of film that gets lost among the (usually inferior) big-budget blockbusters the major studios are so fond of cranking out.
Though it does not fit the definition of either "big-budget" or "blockbuster", what 'The Usual Suspects' is a crime drama, par excellence. Complexly plotted, superbly scripted and brilliantly acted, this is such a finely crafted thriller that most will find a genuine suprise in the denouement (at least the slow-witted ones, like me). I will eschew any description of the plot. If you have seen the picture, it would be superfluous and if you haven't, then see it as I did, with no notion of what to expect. 'The Usual Suspects' does not disappoint.
The same can be said for Polygram Video's laser disc edition of 'The Usual Suspects'. Transferred in its original Panavision aspect ratio (well, almost. About 2.30:1.), the image is extremely clear and detailed. Colors appear very accurate, mostly avoiding the oversaturation that often crops up in darker scenes, which this film has its share of. Contrast and brightness are excellent, and thankfully so as there is a good deal of problematic lighting that is generally handled well.
The soundtrack contains a good deal more directional and surround information than one might expect from a film like this and the audio transfer compliments the video in its accuracy. Frequency response and dynamic range are excellent with a solid low end and clear mids and highs. Dialog is generally well balanced, though occasionally a bit difficult to make out in scenes with loud effects.
The film runs 106 minutes and the disc is encoded with 19 chapter markers. I found the side break exceptionally well chosen. Also included is a feature that seems to be showing up more and more often, a running audio commentary, here provided by the director, Bryan Singer, and the writer, Christopher McQuarrie. One note to those with older disc players without digital audio capability, the commentary uses both analog tracks making for a fuller sound while listening to the commentary but precluding the ability to hear the normal soundtrack without digital audio. No trailer or other extras are included. List price is $39.95. Just the movie is more than worth this. The inclusion of the director and writer's comments makes it a "deal". Recommended.
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