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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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Last of the Mohicans,
Director's Expanded Edition
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Reviewed
by: |
Rachel
Hughes |
| Genre: |
Action |
| Video: |
Anamorphic
2.35:1 Widescreen |
| Audio: |
DTS,
Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0 |
| Language: |
English,
French |
| Subtitle: |
English
Spanish |
| Length: |
1hr
57mins |
| Rating: |
R |
| Release
Date: |
January
23, 2000 |
| Studio: |
Twentieth
Century Fox |
| Commentary:
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None |
| Documentaries:
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None |
| Featurettes:
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None |
| Filmography/Biography:
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None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
Yes |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
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None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Daniel Day-Lewis,
Madeleine Stowe and Jodhi May and Wes Studi |
| Screenplay
by: |
Michael Mann
and Christopher Crowe based on the Novel by James Fenimore Cooper |
| Produced
by: |
Michael Mann and Hunt
Lowry |
| Directed
By: |
Michael Mann |
| Music: |
Trevor Jones and Randy
Edelman |
| The
Review: |
If you are
ever assigned to read James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans
and decide to watch Michael Mann's version of the film instead,
be prepared for a low mark on the test. The only thing the two
have in common are the title a few character names and the setting.
Usually, when Hollywood translates a novel into film, the novel
loses something. Last of the Mohicans is no different, except
you won't miss a thing. Scriptwriters Michael Mann and Christopher
Crowe do an incredible job taking a long, rambling and overly
dry story and transforming it into an exciting, adventure-filled
romantic story. Everything about this movie is fascinating.
Every actor, especially Daniel Day-Lewis, disappears into his
or her character. The movie was beautifully shot. The forest
sequences are lush and full of shadows, and the battle scenes
are full of despair. The score by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman
adds such richness to the movie and carries the viewer through
the journey of the Hawkeye and his companions. Last of the Mohicans
is set during the French and Indian Wars fought between the
British and the French for dominance in the New World. A British
general's two daughters are on their way to visit him at his
post when their convoy is attacked. Hawkeye, an orphan raised
by the Mohicans, along with his adopted father and brother end
up rescuing and escorting the two girls to the fort. Along the
way Hawkeye falls in love. However, once they reach the fort
they find their troubles are only beginning. |
| Image
and Sound |
In order
to detract from the beauty of this movie the transfer would
have had to be overseen by an elephant. This is a gorgeous movie.
The transfer is not perfect, and there are a few instances of
graininess and flecks, but it doesn't detract from the film.
Shadow is used to great effect in the movie, and it comes through
wonderfully. Even though much of film is dark, the few colors
come through vividly. The DVD includes both DTS and Dolby 5.1.
In comparing the two there is little noticeable difference between
them. The dialogue comes through clearly, but the sounds of
muskets and cannon balls during the battle scenes will rattle
your windows. The wonderful score resonates through the entire
movie. |
| The
Extras |
This is
the second release of this movie, and it is extremely disappointing.
The original release contained the exact same director's version
of the film that contains a few extended scenes added to the
film. The only additions are that the film is now anamorphicaly
enhanced and now comes with DTS. For a film such as this to
have absolutely no extras, not even biographical information
is outrageous. This is even more offensive considering that
Fox, who has given us some of the best DVD packages to date,
distributes this film. |
| Commentary |
None |
| Final
Words: |
This was
one of Fox's biggest hits in 1992, with good reason. The film
has it all: adventure, romance, and battles. This DVD is worth
the price because this is the film as the director intended.
The sound and picture quality is near reference quality. However,
knowing how seriously Daniel Day-Lewis gets into character,
it would be fascinating to have more information about his technique.
Since I've heard the entire cast spent time roughing it in the
woods, I want to see some of that. There is no insight on the
making of this film, and that's why I was looking forward to
a special edition. Hopefully, Fox will revisit this film, perhaps
in 2002 for a 10-year anniversary and give it the treatment
it deserves. |
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