Chopper (DVD)

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Audio:
Not only has Image done a great job with the video presentation of "Chopper," but they have provided many audio choices and done them well. For 5.1 multi-channel surround users, the choice between either Dolby Digital or DTS mixes are available. Pro Logic users have the ability to select a Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround soundtrack. The split surrounds are used nicely and stereo separation is excellent. Audio range is very good. Gunshots sound great and bass is strong during them. There is not much in the area of music, and the film is generally dialogue driven. During some club scenes, the audio is good, and any other sound effects are handled rather nicely. The Dolby Digital and DTS mix do not vary much from each other and either one will do the job well.

Extras:
Though not labeled as a special edition, "Chopper" contains a nice mix of supplements. What makes the supplements very nice is the fact that there is so much involvement by the subject of the film, Mark "Chopper" Read. If you enjoyed the film and wanted to learn more about the peculiar subject, the supplements do what supplements are supposed to, they provide you further information relating to the film. Deleted scenes, commentaries and featurettes are provided to delve into if you are seeking more information.

There are two commentaries provided with "Chopper." The first commentary features director Andrew Dominik and he spends time discussing the picture and the inspiration that led to him wanting to make the picture. He is entertaining and offers lots of good tidbits. The second commentary is Mark "Chopper" Read himself. Read is as much a character on the commentary as the man that is portrayed in the picture. He guides the viewer through the accuracies of the film and his thoughts on the scenes. He also adds additional information to the crimes and to crimes that are not covered in the film. One interesting instance is the fact that because somebody wouldn´t let him in the house, "Chopper" burned the house down. He also quotes Harvey Keitel from "Pulp Fiction" and is extremely entertaining through the entire commentary.

The DVD also contains five deleted scenes and a featurette. Most of the scenes are alternate takes or extended scenes. These were generally removed to cut down the running time of the film. These scenes do tend to add more information and none of them stand out as being bad or irrelevant to the picture. The featurette is called a "Weekend with Chopper." This features segments where star Eric Bana and "Chopper" stand around talking. Everything from ears to chickens to beer are covered. This is another supplement that lets you learn more about "Chopper" Read and is certainly worth checking out. The supplements are rounded out with the theatrical trailer.

Summary:
Even though some of the film was very confusing, I thoroughly enjoyed "Chopper." After revisiting the film with the "Chopper" Read commentary, my appreciation for the film grew stronger. This is a quite interesting man with some extraordinary stories to tell. Eric Bana will soon become a household name and deservedly so. This comedian shows he is a powerful character actor and good things are ahead for him. Image has delivered a top notch DVD. The picture and sound are excellent and the supplements are very fitting and extremely entertaining. Because of the sheer amount of violence, language and abrasive content, this is not a film for all, but if you don´t mind any of that, then you want to see what "Chopper" is all about.

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