U-571: HD-DVD

U-571: HD-DVD
Cast: Matthew McCaughey
Studio: Universal
Rating: 8/10

CORPORATE LINE: Jonathan Mostow’s (BREAKDOWN) World War II submarine thriller about a crew of inexperienced American mariners forced to pilot a disabled German U-boat through hostile waters delivers plenty of action while paying homage to such war genre greats as DAS BOOT and DESTINATION TOKYO. Matthew McConaughey (EDTV) leads the rag tag American crew as Lt. Andrew Tyler, a young officer determined to prove himself a capable leader after being denied command of his own ship. His fellow seamen include Jon Bon Jovi (MOONLIGHT AND VALENTINO), Bill Paxton (A SIMPLE PLAN) and a cross-section of American society, featuring a hot-headed Brooklyner, an earnest farm boy, a wise black cook, a pack of fresh-faced young sailors, and Harvey Keitel as a salty old sea dog. Working with a lean plot, Mostow employs Oliver Wood’s (FACE/OFF) detailed, claustrophobic cinematography and an exceptional sound design to create a series of engaging and genuinely tense action sequences that take the rickety submarine to crushing depths in order to outrun German attacks. While his attention to hard historical facts may be a bit leaky, Mostow’s ability to sustain suspense rewards viewers with a tight genre piece with no shortage of action or good old American patriotism.

HD-DVD VIDEO:
We have at least a dozen HD movies to review and it seems every time we watch one there is a new benchmark. U-571 is gorgeous. Every aspect from the deep sea views to the sweating crew in the submarine is crisp. Where a few other HD transfers lack in their contrasts—particularly in scenes that are dark—U-571 never disappoints. There are occasions where the images don’t pop like true HD shows—particularly television shows that are film on HD. Again, the HD version is far superior to the standard version.

THE EXTRAS:
The HD version is exactly the same in regards to the previous DVD release.

The feature commentary with Director Jonathan Mostow is very interesting. Mostow gives great detail about the movie and how he strove for great detail. There is truly a lot of detail in the commentary that it’s a must listen.

“Spotlight on Location” – This making of featurette is an interesting documentary.

“Inside the Enigma” – This is a historical look at the background of the Enigma.

“U.S. Naval Archives: Capturing the U-505” – This is a newsreel about the capture of the U-505.

“Creating and Constructing U-571” – This is a great featurette about creating a real submarine replica.

“Britain Captures the U-110” – Historical bits about the capture of the U-110.

“A Submariner’s WWII Experience” – A very interesting featurette.

+ Charlie Craine


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