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The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unique crime film with top-notch dialogue and atmosphere.
Review: There's not much left to say in praise of this film -- Gabriel Byrne and Kevin Spacey are sublime, Pete Postlethwaite a deliciously eloquent villain, Christopher McQuarrie's script an energetic, imaginative maze of twists and conflicts, and Bryan Singer's direction rock-steady, making this one of the most stylish films of the '90s but still packing it with enough substance and character to back up the flair.

It was nice to see a crime film that didn't ape Pulp Fiction, instead carving out its own niche as a cerebral, eloquent film about betrayal, deception, fear, redemption (or the impossibility of redemption), and identity. One of the grandest tricks in The Usual Suspects is to create a thoroughly winning hero, yet forcing you to applaud the ingenuity of the victorious villains at the end.

A high point in '90s cinema.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Kevin Spacey Delivers!
Review: This is the best Kevin Spacey movie yet. This movie will keep you rivited. It slows down a little in the middle, but it has the best ending of any movie yet. If this is the only movie you buy, you won't be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ONE OF THE 90'S FINEST!
Review: This was THE outstanding movie of 1995 and recommend for anybody to see it. It is remenicent of a Tarnatino flick - in fact it is better than anything he has ever done. It makes brilliant use of its complicated plot and characterisations with exceptional style. Everybody excels to powerful and utterly convincing performances. Kevin Spacey of which was the most impressive playing the crippled suspect and thoroughly deserving his best supporting actor oscar. The pace is electrifying and the direction slick by Brian Synger. It keeps you gripped right until the end when you can only moan to yourself, it was him all along. Interesting, original, gripping, slick - this one soars.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A film with a great deal of depth
Review: The Usual Suspects works as a film on many levels. If viewed as an entertaining film then it does its job very well. The script is masterfully crafted and the ongoing voice over is an excellent addition. The plot centres around the exploits of a group of five criminals who through bad luck end up working together. The main interest of the film comes in the form of the arch-criminal Kaiser Souze, who is constantly manipulating the five. With excellent music and equally absorbing performances, the film remains as a testament to a good story far out-stripping special effects which tend to pervade todays blockbusters. The DVD features are good and provide some longer term enjoyment. Overall then it is a thoroughly recommended film that deserves its cult status.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A great movie. Less than stellar dvd.
Review: I am not going to go into any details of the story... suffice it to say that I thought it was great.

I would have loved to give the dvd a 5 star rating but several things keep tugging at me.

The most obvious of these being the lack of 5.1 surround. This is something that does not bother me all that much and I understand that it might have never been recorded in 5.1 but it remains something of a down point for many. Lets move on.

The inclusion of some final (and very obvious) scenes in the otherwise excellent menu - are just downright stupid. Lets go on.

I have read that many people were complaining of the... er... not entirely positive or useful commentary. This I - myself - did not have any problem with. The commentary never SERIOUSLY attacks any scenes without equal praise. The reference to 'all the wonderful out-takes' is just plain silly. Wish we could have seen some of those huh? It is otherwise entertaining and somewhat interesting at points.

Now we reach the reason for my 3 - not 5 star rating. The video. The conversion itself seems to be ok.... And it has a generous two aspect ratio versions... neither of which is enhanced for 16X9 TVs. (Something which upset me a little). But the thing which really bothers me, the thing which I was surprised no one else has mentioned, is the apparent 'wear' to the film used in the conversion. Certain scenes have obvious damage to them (especially in wide-screen). It almost looks like film being projected. This is not something that should occur with digital media. Keep in mind that this is the SECOND dvd release of this movie. I would expect 16X9 support or at LEAST clean film.

I have to say that I am glad I bought the dvd. I would have to suggest you do the same. It is without a doubt - an excellent movie with an amazing finale. And my disappointment is made so much worse just because it IS such a good movie.

Maybe they will get it right on the third release eh?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Mind-bender!
Review: One of the best mystery/suspense thrillers ever made. Incredible performances by both Gabriel Byrne and Kevin Spacey. An ending that will bend your mind, much in the same way the endings of "Ten Little Indians" and "The Sixth Sense" tease and toy with your sense of reality.

You wonder, 'Who is Kaiser Soze?' throughout the movie. The same way you wonder, 'Who controls the assasin?' in the "Manchurian Candidate" (another favorite of mine). The same way you wonder, "How did Andy do it?" in "The Shawshank Redemption."

When you find out who Kaiser Soze is, you cry "Oh my God, no!" I highly recommend this movie.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Disappointing "Director's Commentary" for Such a Fab Movie
Review: Although "The Usual Suspects" is one of my favorite movies, the director's / screenwriter's commentary on the DVD is a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I would never recommend the DVD if you are buying it mainly for this commentary. The commentary is boring, uninformative, amateur and gives irrelevant details such as "There's my ring" or "I worked on the script on the 38th floor of that building in the background." After hearing the commentary, I am convinced that the movie's greatness is due to the experience, brilliance and personal input (changes in the original script) of the actors. I would have preferred to see some of the many out-takes rather that be subjected to the drivel contained in the commentary. Full marks (5 stars) to the actors. Zip to the commentary.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: SHAGGY AKA SACHA JUNG
Review: I COULDN`T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING.I MEAN WHY DIDN`T KEYSER SOSERRESCUE VERBAL FROM THE POLICE STATION LIKE IN REAL LIFE HE WOULDHAVE.I FOUND DAS BOOT MUCH MORE SUSPENSEFUL AND REALISTIC.IN GERMANY WE LIKE OUR FILMS WITH SOME HUMOUR LIKE AUF WIEDERSEN PET.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Surprise Ending?
Review: I bought the DVD of this movie based on the reviews here. I read that the movie has a surprise ending so I expected that the ending I foresaw coming was not going to be the real ending. Wrong! The ending was *exactly* what I expected. I won't give the ending away, but don't buy this movie expecting a real surprise, especially if you've read any mysteries at all.

Good acting, however, and a moderately interesting plot. Certainly not the best movie of all time but not a waste of time either. A *much* better movie with Gabriel Byrne is "Miller's Crossing".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: unmissable
Review: I cant recommend this movie enough it keeps you glued to the tv and will withstand many repeated viewings but it is not a movie you can talk through(so watch it without your wife)you have to watch and listen closely.the acting is second to none especially byrne as keaton+spacey as verbal plus an excellent performance from the underrated postlethwaite this movie has everything action comedy and an excellent ending just watch this again and again.


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