BLU-RAY REVIEW: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

04/03/09

FILM REVIEW: Do you remember those villains? The ones that impacted you to the point that you will never forget their evil stare or their harsh words. Well, have I got a villain for you. This picture is a refreshing take on an overdone plot dealing with drugs, drug money, drug dealers, drug armies, the law, innocent bystanders, and of course, the associated hit men. It is one particular hit man, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), that takes this picture to another level. He is one of the smartest, fiercest, coldest, most methodical and ruthless killers to ever draw blood on the big screen. “Just how dangerous is he?” “Compared to what? The bubonic plague?” It will not be surprising to see Javier get an Oscar nomination for this role. Yeah, it was that good. This story is really simple, but the way the story is laid out both visually and verbally is what makes this movie so special. The performances by Tommy Lee Jones as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss, and Javier were stunning. Independent films usually rely on quality performances to keep it afloat and this one is no exception. Heck, this movie doesn’t even have any background music (or what I call intensity music) to help increase the intensity of a scene so it really relies on the acting and the camera to keep you tuned in and it does a great job of that. Actually no, I’m wrong, gun fire IS the intensity music.

Llewelyn Moss, a humble Texan and war veteran, is out hunting one day near the Rio Grande. As he tries to track down one of his victims, he stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone way wrong. A bunch of dead bodies, pick up trucks, and bullet shells mark the spot. As he cautiously investigates he finds a truck load of drugs and later finds a case full of cash . . . about $2 million actually. With no one alive around to claim the treasure, he takes the money for himself. Bad move. Shortly after not only does he get the Mexican drug armies and the law after him, he is unfortunate to have Anton on his tail as well. Struggling to survive, Llewelyn is determined to escape with the money. Sheriff Bell comes into the picture as the dead bodies are popping up everywhere and there seems to be some link to Llewelyn due to his truck being found at the original crime scene. Sheriff Bell seems to always be one step behind, but he continues to inch closer and closer to tracking down Llewelyn and the mystery man, Anton.

This film is visually stimulating. The camera shots and angles give the viewer an interesting perspective of the action. It truly accentuates the story and the acting. There are some appropriately gloomy brown views of the open hilly fields in Texas that transport you. That along with the other locations such as your rinky dinky roadside motels to your humble trailer parks help you relate to the characters and their circumstances. The way the camera is used around Javier heightens Anton’s power of intimidation. Overall, the acting is stimulating as well. Josh Brolin has given one of his best performances ever with this role. You are right by his side cheering him on all the way and he does put up a good fight.

If you are the type of person that doesn’t like those funky endings that leave you saying “huh?” or “what?” or “that’s it?”, be warned. I heard those words from a few people in the theater including out of my own mouth. But don’t worry, the rest of the movie is good enough to help cover this discrepancy. Or maybe I just missed something. I haven’t read the book and from what I’m hearing the movie is very true to the book so it is meant to end that way. I don’t know, you decide and let me know. As for the Directors Coen, Ethan and Joel (Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers), add this one to their resume under highly praised works. Anton asked one of his potential victims: “What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?” Well if this coin toss leads you to not see this movie, you will lose the experience of watching a work of art.

Movie Review By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com

BLU-RAY: The film is presented in 1080P widescreen in a 2.35:1 aspect ration preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just flawless, giving the film the dimension and clarity that only high definition can provide. This is the first time that I watched this masterpiece in High Definition and I have to say that it is just perfect. It is just eye popping. Not only the picture looks excellent in this release, also the sound it is good, a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (48kHz/24bit) that provides a good complement to the picture , however I was very surprised to find that the sound was not 7.1 DTS-HD. I was expecting and upgrade in the sound department in this collectors edition, However 5.1 was good enough to get high ratings.

In terms of Special Features, this collectors contains basically the same special features from previous releases. It includes "Working with the Coens Reflections of Cast and Crew", The Making of No Country For Old Men" and "Diary of a Country Sheriff". The new stuff in this release are a group of media in-depth interviews and conversations with the Coen Brothers, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem—never before available on disc—offering viewers the most comprehensive look ever at the making of No Country for Old Men. Also includes a digital copy of the film. I found some of these conversation to be very interesting and I actually enjoyed them. Unfortunately none of these special features are in high definition.

Overall if don't own a high definition version of this gem, this is the version to get.

VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1 aspect ratio) 1080P

AUDIO:
English 5.1 DTS HD/Dolby Digital Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Working with the Coens: Reflections of Cast and Crew Learn more about Joel and Ethan Coen from the perspective of their collaborators, cast and crew. (24:20)

The Making of No Country For Old Men: Take a journey through the Coen Brothers’ process and back to their roots as storytellers with a unique voice and vision. (8:07)

Diary of a Country Sheriff: Explore the relationship between the compassion of Sheriff Bell and the brutality of Anton Chigurh. (6:44)

Interviews: A treasure trove of in-depth interviews and conversations with the Coen Brothers, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem—never before available on disc—offering viewers the most comprehensive look ever at the making of No Country for Old Men.

Digital Copy Download

RATING BREAK DOWN:

FILM REVIEW
VIDEO
AUDIO
BONUS FEATURES

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