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7
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10 |
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10
= Highest Rating |
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Guest
Review by Noah
Soudrette |
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London,
1888. Fred Abberline (Johnny Depp) is Scotland Yard's most
brilliant, and most
troubled, investigator.
A first-rate detective, he's also an opium addict. Spending
the day as usual in his favorite opium den, he's
dragged out by friend and subordinate Peter Godley (Robbie
Coltrane) to work on an unusual case — the rather unique and
gruesome murder of a prostitute in the Whitechapel district.
While investigating the strange homicide Abberline meets Mary
Kelly (Boogie Nights' Heather
Graham), a friend of the murdered girl. She, too, is a streetwalker.
Although romance sparks between Abberline and Kelly, the clues
she provides aren't enough to help him solve the crime. Then
more prostitutes in the seedy, poverty-stricken district are
found slaughtered. Meeting resistance at every turn, Abberline
finally consults an expert who will help him with the case:
Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria, Sir William Gull
(Ian Holm). With Dr. Gull's forensic knowledge and his own
penchant for precognitive visions, Abberline draws closer
and closer to a conspiracy that begins in Whitechapel —
and goes farther than anyone
would dare to believe.
From
Hell
may not be the definitive Jack the Ripper movie but it comes
close. The Hughes Brothers (Menace II
Society, Dead Presidents)
have crafted a visually creative film that rests on a solid
and engrossing narrative. Albert and Allen Hughes bring to
the table a small repertoire of "street violence" films, and
an impressive palette of creative visual flourishes. While
I was initially skittish about the pair taking on the job
of directing (given their previous film outings) all my fears
were silenced. My other fear was how the material the script
was taken from would be treated. The film is based on a graphic
novel of the same name written by Alan Moore (Watchmen)
and Eddie Campbell. For those unfamiliar with the graphic
novel, it chronicles the exploits of Jolly Jack, through his
eyes. While this film does use the same background and basic
plot of the novel, it shifts the perspective to that of Inspector
Abberline. While a film following the P.O.V. of Jack the Ripper
might have been more original, the shift is understandable
considering the film was funded by a major studio. "Mainstreaming"
aside, however, the film's narrative is taut and enveloping,
one which kept this reviewer guessing up until the "reveal".
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Fox's
DVD release of From Hell is definitely
worth the money. The film itself is presented in its original
theatrical aspect ration of 2.35:1. The transfer is flawless.
The colors are deep and rich, the blacks are solid and well
defined, and, most importantly, reds are vibrant. There are
no noticeable transfer flaws of any kind. This is one of the
better transfers out there. The sound on the disc, offered in
5.1 DTS, and 5.1 Dolby Surround does the film justice, and is
a very well done set of tracks. Spread over two discs, the extras
are plentiful and also very well presented. Disc 1 features
a full-length commentary by Albert and Allan Hughes, screenwriter
Rafael Yglesias, cinematographer Peter Deming, and actor Robbie
Coltrane. While this commentary is not a group effort and simply
comments edited together from multiple recordings, it is still
a very engaging and well-edited one. All the participants have
some interesting and amusing words about the production, the
film, and some especially interesting things to say about Hollywood.
The only problem with the track is that you can't really tell
the brothers' voices apart. Also on Disc 1 is a series of 20
deleted scenes and an alternate ending, all with optional director's
commentary.
On Disc 2 you'll find a very detailed, interactive documentary
on the history of Jack the Ripper. You'll also find a series
of short but informative featurettes about the films production,
adapting the graphic novel for the screen, and even absinthe.
All this is rounded out with the film's theatrical trailer.
This is the kind of well-made DVD people should expect, and
for the price tag, it's a steal. The DVD itself is touted as
a "Director's Limited Edition". While the limited nature of
this two disc set may be in question, Fox has announced single
disc releases to replace its multi-disc sets of Big
Trouble in Little China and Tim Burton's Planet
of the Apes. So grab this one before it's gone. 7/18/02 |
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