Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Brad Pitt, Robert Redford
Story rating: 2 1/2 discs (out of 4)
Story review: Agent Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) is about to retire from the tense world of the CIA. On his last day, however, Muir is hit with the news that his former protégé and friend, Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt), has been captured by the Chinese and will be executed within 24 hours. The CIA has written off his rescue as too risky, so Muir takes on the task himself. But he needs more information to save his pal and, to get it, he ingratiates himself with the top brass, describing in a series of slow-moving flashbacks how he worked with Bishop in the past, pointing out Bishop’s tendency to get too involved with his “assets,” the people he befriended to get to the bad guys. As the investigation deepens, Muir discovers that his superiors consider Bishop expendable because of his maverick ways, and the story becomes a race against time as Muir tries to save his friend by outsmarting those working against him. Spy Game is an interesting way to learn the ins and outs of being a good spy. It’s just a shame the film takes its sweet time getting to the punch. —Kit Bowen, Hollywood.com
Features rating: 3 1/2 discs (out of 4)
Features review: The elegant production has been turned into a beautiful Spy Game DVD. The sound and picture quality is admirably transferred and looks awesome, but that’s just the beginning.
Features include clips from the film’s world premiere, an exclusive interview with Redford and Pitt, a “choosing the right director” interview with producers Marc Abraham and Douglas Wick, Scott‘s thoughts on working with Redford and his experiences with the CIA while doing research for the film.
Where the producers are predictably concerned with the monetary logistics of the film’s operation, Scott‘s commentary focuses on the nuances of his characters. Just as Scott made it a point to give his Middle Eastern characters added dimensions, he allowed his actors to reshape their characters as the filming progressed.
More interesting than the two commentary tracks is the director’s commentary for a series of deleted scenes. These outtakes confirm that plenty of character and plot nuances were left on the cutting-room floor.
The coolest feature, though, is Clandestine OPS. When this option is set, a file folder appears on screen, signaling that there is “classified information” to be discovered. Whether it’s Tony Scott dishing out location trivia or file folders that disclose top-secret character bios and factoids, this clever feature aptly treats spectators as spies making their way through a case file.
Also included are a page that lists the requirements for CIA acceptance, a soundtrack commercial, the film’s theatrical trailer, an ad for Universal’s upcoming The Bourne Identity starring Matt Damon and Franka Potente, and a cast and crew filmography section laid out to appear like a stack of file folders.
It should be noted that Spy Game is Universal’s first Total Axess DVD title. Users can now view specially created streaming videos using the studio’s Total Axess DVD portal. Simply place your Spy Game DVD in a DVD-ROM drive, and you’ll be able to access these features by clicking on the “Total Axess” button to the far left of the pop-up DVD menu.
The Total Axess portal provides downloadable photos; screensavers; wallpaper; behind-the-scenes stills; Scott‘s screenplay with notes, annotations and sketches; and a Spy Game trivia contest.
Bottom line: Packed with features, this is an impressive DVD. Spy Game really comes alive on disc, and this is a must-buy based on the extras alone.
Special features list:
o Languages: English, French
o Subtitles: Spanish
o Commentary by director Tony Scott
o Production notes
o Deleted Scenes with Director’s Commentary
o Feature Commentary with Producers
o Behind-the-Scenes in the filmmaking process
o Interactive Script-to-Storyboard process featuring the Director
o Requirements for CIA acceptance
