Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Trailer (2:28 in HD!) + 5 Previews

Bitrate:

 

Description: Writer David Mamet created two engrossing and memorable characters, played by Alec Baldwin as the urbane fashion photographer and Anthony Hopkins as a reserved and intellectual billionaire. They find themselves teamed up against a giant Kodiak bear, and their own inner demons, when lost together in the Alaskan wilderness. There is a lot going on in this picture, as the subject matter includes male rivalry, the isolationism of extreme wealth, and, most conspicuously, the survival of the fittest. Mamet's script, which sounds a little too arch in spots, is well served by New Zealand director Lee Tamahori, who knows how to capture beauty and brutality in one frame. Although the themes are enormous in scope, they are well balanced. One rarely overpowers the other, nor does the achingly beautiful scenery overshadow the acting. Even if you do not like the intellectualism of the dialogue, there are some great scenes with the bear.

Excerpt from Rochelle O'Gorman's review at Amazon.com located HERE

 

 

Audio :

There is a powerful lossless track available in the form of an DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a whopping 4304 kbps. Bart the Bear's growls are furiously loud you can feel them right in your gut. In fact there is a loud plane crash that is also extremely aggressive with immersive bass. It's a Jerry Goldsmith score and it is given a crisp, even, rendering. There is healthy range and depth and adds a keen, intense, suspense also sounding majestic for the awesome vistas. There are optional subtitles.

Extras :

Nothing but a trailer in HD and some previews. If I recall correctly the DVD edition, that I can't put my hands on, was also bare bones. The film is basic enough that it doesn't require much post discussion or innocuous sound bytes from the cast. To be fair the price isn't top tier for Fox reflecting the limited nature of the disc and lack of supplements.

BOTTOM LINE:
I've become somewhat of a Mamet junkie. When I received this DVD back in 2003 - I watched The Edge a number times also showing it to friends. To be honest though after repeat viewings the man-hungry bear aspect seems a little far-fetched but the acting is great and it's a cool adventure (man vs. nature - man vs. man) not to mention the mind games going on. The Blu-ray, in my opinion, is pragmatic and I think you'd have to be quite keen to double dip despite it being a significant improvement. For those that haven't seen the film - this is the best way. The Edge is GREAT late night fodder - Enjoy!

Gary Tooze