|
“Cellular”
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Suspense
Drama |
| Video: |
2.35:1 Anamorphic
widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1, 2.0 |
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
English,
Spanish |
| Length |
95 minutes
|
| Rating |
PG-13 |
| Release Date |
1/18/05 |
| Studio |
New Line
Home Entertainment |
| Commentary:
|
Director
David Ellis, writers Larry Cohen and Chris Morgan |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
Dialing Up Cellular,
Celling Out, Code of Silence: Inside the Rampart Scandal |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Trailer |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
Deleted/extended
scenes with optional commentary |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
DVD-ROM script
to screen comparison, photo gallery, web access |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Kim Basinger,
Chris Evans, Adam Taylor Gordon, William H. Macy, Esther Mercado
|
| Written
By: |
Chris Morgan
based on a story by Larry Cohen |
| Produced
By: |
Dean Devlin,
Lauren lloyd |
| Directed
By: |
David Ellis
|
| Music:
|
John Ottman
|
| The
Review: |
A clever premise that would have
made a great Hitchcock movie (if he had lived into the age
of cellular phones), Cellular stars Kim Basinger as Jessica
a woman kidnapped whose only connection and chance of escape
is through the use of an old phone. She randomly dials phone
numbers until she gets a hold of Ryan (Chris Evans) on his
cell phone. He battles time, apathy and disbelief to try and
rescue her. Featuring a terrific supporting performance by
William H. Macy as a copy who tries to uncover whose behind
this plot and potential conspiracy, Cellular might rely on
its gimmick a bit too much but, overall, the twists and turns
in Chris Morgan’s screenplay (adapted from a screenplay by
Larry Cohen) will keep you on you on the edge of your seat.
---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
The reception
appears clear for Cellular with a nice anamorphic transfer.
The images are crisp, clear and vivid with bright colors. The
5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound transfer makes excellent use
of the surround speakers by giving us action spread around the
various speakers. |
| The
Extras: |
“Dialing
Up Cellular” is a half hour documentary on the making of the
film directed by Jeffrey Schwarz. Featuring interviews with
Basinger and the rest of the main cast as well as director
Ellis, producer Devlin and writers Morgan and Cohen, it provides
a great overview on the history of the story that Cohen dreamed
up and its crooked path to the screen. Inside the Rampart
Scandal examines a case of real life police corruption which
figures into the movie’s plot. It provides background on the
film’s subplot which, ultimately, plays a role in the main
plot. We also get the original theatrical trailer as well
as previews for New Line releases. The DVD-ROM has the option
of script to screen comparisons, a photo gallery and access
to New Line’s website. ---
|
| Commentary:
|
A clever
idea wears thin pretty quickly in the commentary track. Director
Ellis phones production crew members and has them join in on
the commentary track via his cell phone. Screenwriter Chris
Morgan and writer Larry Cohen provide commentary as well although
their involvement in this is limited. --- |
| Final
Words: |
Luckily
none of the performances are phone in. With a strong cast, swift
and slick direction Cellular overcomes some of the gimmicks
that drive the narrative of the film. It’s a worthwhile rental
with some very nice extras as well. |
