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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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The
One: Superbit
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Reviewed
by: |
Charles
J. Amadori |
| Genre: |
Sci-Fi
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| Video: |
1.85:1
anamorphic widescreen |
| Audio: |
English Dolby
Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 |
| Language: |
English
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| Subtitle: |
English,
French |
| Length: |
87
min |
| Rating: |
R
|
| Release
Date: |
08/05/2003
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| Studio: |
Columbia
Tristar |
| 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: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
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None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Jet Li, Carla
Gugino, Delroy Lindo, Jason Stratham |
| Written
By: |
Glenn Morgan
& James Wong |
| Produced
by: |
Todd Garner, Lata Ryan,
James Wong et.al |
| Directed
By: |
James Wong
|
| Music: |
Trevor Rabin |
| The
Review: |
An odd mix of martial arts and sci-fi
finds Jet Li battling a version himself from an alternate
dimension. The alternate him, has been going through dimensions
killing himself in every one. Each time one Li is killed,
his power is divided among the remaining Li's. Now that these
two battling Li's are the only two left, they must battle
to see who will become the One, and therefore possess god-like
powers.
If you're still with me… This idea
provides for some spectacular special effects. I'm talking
Li picking up two motorcycles, one in each hand, and smash
a guy in between them. This film borrows a great deal from
The Matrix and Highlander, but is still able to find its own
voice. A muted voice at that, as the film fails to create
a salient universe that could be remembered and cherished
in the years to come.
The acting is all very conventional.
The only person to stand out is Stratham (whose other numbing
action flick, The Transporter, uses his talents far better).
Director, Wong, whose other credits include Final Destination
and some X-Files episodes, seems to have a good grasp on the
Sci-Fi genre, but could definitely use some better, more original
material.
Bottom-line: If you're looking
for a fast paced (and boy is this movie fast paced) movie,
with a kicking soundtrack then you'll enjoy this one. But
if you're looking for a deeper, possibly future cult-classic,
then you're barking up the wrong tree.
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| Image
and Sound |
Being a
Superbit release I'm sure you know what to expect… crystal
clarity, perfect contrast, minimal picture noise, a booming
DTS 5.1 track and fancy menus.
Well folks,
that exactly what you get. The picture is flawless with absolutely
no grain or pixelization. The DTS audio track is outstanding.
Sci-Fi films offer, perhaps, the best sound tracks. And the
One is no exception. Also, the soundtrack has plenty of kick,
with songs like Drowning Pool's hit Body's, encompassing the
audio channels in adrenaline stimulating magic. The DD track
is nearly as good, in fact only a trained ear using a good
sound system should notice the difference.
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| The
Extras |
None!
I'm serious… this sucker is bare bones! |
| Commentary |
None!
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| Final
Words: |
I
wish the studio would cease from this incessant practice of
double dipping the well. This is the second release of The One…sadly
it's first release had many extra features! So with this release
you trade away the features for superior picture and sound.
I guess it's up to you on which you feel is more important.
I've heard claims that the DTS track takes up too much room
on the disc and yada yada yada… Then these superbit releases
should contain two discs, one for the feature and one for the
extras. The picture and sound may be great, but most DVD collectors
buy DVDs because of the bonus materials as well. This practice
is just deceitful business practices designed to make the most
money possible. |
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