"Jarhead" doesn't concern itself with a "War is Hell" message, instead it focuses on the mundane aspects of warfare.
The film may not paint a glamorous picture of war, but it doesn't truly condemn the reasons for sending them there. It doesn't really try to justify them either. Each man has his own reason for serving. Sykes proudly, "Thanks God..." for each day he spends in the Corps. Another, a Cuban, gladly serves the country that gave him the freedom he didn't have in his homeland. One Marine complains that they're only there to guard rich men's oil. Troy quickly remarks, "We're here now, everything else is bull----."
VIDEO:
The picture is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The quality is great without any noticeable flaws. The film has a washed out look, but it's not as severe as something like "Traffic."
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in three language tracks, English, French, and Spanish.
EXTRAS:
Disc one features two audio commentary tracks, the first is with director Sam Mendes and editor Walter Murch. The second features screenwriter William Broyles, Jr. and the real Anthony Swofford.
You´ll also get Swoff´s Fantasies, four scenes that go into the mind of the lead character. The fantasy sequences didn´t quite fit in with the realistic tone of the film and were right to be cut. News Interviews in Full are the uncut, mostly improvised, interviews that were done for the film. Finally, there is a series of deleted scenes. All these extras also feature optional commentary tracks from Mendes and Murch.
"Jarhead" is also available in a 2-disc collector´s set. Exclusive to the second disc are Jarhead Diaries, an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary done by giving cameras to the cast and crew; Semper Fi: Life After the Corps, a documentary about real-life Desert Storm veterans and their adjustments into the civilian world; and Background, a feature about the extras that filled out the film´s military ranks. All three feature a video introduction from Mendes.
FILM VALUE:
Going in, I expected a lot of chaotic battle scenes shot hand-held ala "Black Hawk Down." I probably wasn't the only one as the general audience was hoping for blood and bullets. Instead, I found an introspective piece about soldiers still searching for themselves as much as they are searching for the enemy. And I'm glad "Jarhead" chose to go in a different direction, rather than be a pale imitation of more renowned films. War is Hell? More like war is boredom. I know it sounds weird, but I found the excruciating monotony of warfare to be fascinating. Hopefully, "Jarhead" will find a strong following on DVD.
VIDEO:
The picture is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The quality is great without any noticeable flaws. The film has a washed out look, but it's not as severe as something like "Traffic."
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in three language tracks, English, French, and Spanish.
EXTRAS:
Disc one features two audio commentary tracks, the first is with director Sam Mendes and editor Walter Murch. The second features screenwriter William Broyles, Jr. and the real Anthony Swofford.
You´ll also get Swoff´s Fantasies, four scenes that go into the mind of the lead character. The fantasy sequences didn´t quite fit in with the realistic tone of the film and were right to be cut. News Interviews in Full are the uncut, mostly improvised, interviews that were done for the film. Finally, there is a series of deleted scenes. All these extras also feature optional commentary tracks from Mendes and Murch.
"Jarhead" is also available in a 2-disc collector´s set. Exclusive to the second disc are Jarhead Diaries, an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary done by giving cameras to the cast and crew; Semper Fi: Life After the Corps, a documentary about real-life Desert Storm veterans and their adjustments into the civilian world; and Background, a feature about the extras that filled out the film´s military ranks. All three feature a video introduction from Mendes.
FILM VALUE:
Going in, I expected a lot of chaotic battle scenes shot hand-held ala "Black Hawk Down." I probably wasn't the only one as the general audience was hoping for blood and bullets. Instead, I found an introspective piece about soldiers still searching for themselves as much as they are searching for the enemy. And I'm glad "Jarhead" chose to go in a different direction, rather than be a pale imitation of more renowned films. War is Hell? More like war is boredom. I know it sounds weird, but I found the excruciating monotony of warfare to be fascinating. Hopefully, "Jarhead" will find a strong following on DVD.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]18437[/release]