Rating: 
Summary: "The Fan"..Steps Up To The Plate
Review: This review refers to the TRI STAR DVD edition of "The Fan"Baseball was never so thrilling as it is in this film. In "The Fan" there's more at stake then the pennant for $40 million dollar centerfielder Bobby Rayburn(Wesley Snipes).One swing of the bat could cost him everything that is precious to him. When did baseball become more than a game to Rayburn? When his number one fan, Gil Renard(Robert DeNiro), steps up to the plate to help Bobby out of his slump.Gil is a three time looser. He is a poor role model to his young son, he has a major problem with his people skills, and he is about to lose his job at the company that was founded by his own father. His psychotic obsession with the game of baseball, takes him further out of bounds than any Little League Coach ever went.When his idol seems to be having trouble getting into the swing of things,and another player is getting all the glory, Renard takes matters into his own hands. How far will he go to make sure Rayburn has his day in the sun? Will he even murder for him? DeNiro is absolutley this deranged and very scary character. He plays him so well you may forget that he is Robert Deniro for a while! Snipes also is excellent as the unwitting victim, Rounding off the cast in fine performances are Ellen Barkin, Benecio Del Toro and John Leguizamo. It is directed by Tony Scott who keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end and as always perfect mood scoring by Hans Zimmer adds to the tense situations. The DVD has a nice clear and sharp picture.You have the choice of Widescreen or Standard Formats. The sound is very good and you can choose between 5.1 Dolby or 2- channel surround sound.It may be viewed in French and Spanish and has subtitles in English and Spanish if needed. There are no other special features included. I thought it was a great thriller, and it kept me involved through the whole story, but I'm going with the three stars because I just don't think it's one of those that will be watched over and over. Once you know the ending, you may need to wait awhile before viewing again.If you have seen it already and know it's one that will be a good edition to your collection, you'll be happy with the quality of the DVD. If not, maybe renting it first will help you decide. You'll want to get the popcorn, peanuts and crackerjacks ready for this one....enjoy...Laurie
Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing, but not good enough thriller
Review: Tony Scott's film "The Fan" based on Peter Abrahams's novel of the same name is very disturbing to watch, and the camerawork certainly doesn't help either. Gil Renard(Robert DeNiro) is a frustrated rabid-Giants fan(which isn't true to the novel) and his life is falling apart at the same time that Bobby Rayburn(Wesley Snipes) is in a big slump. Gil and Bobby's lives get closer to intersecting, and a murder occurs which changes both characters and heads the film towards its tragic climax. Gil is too scary to relate to even though we want to. Bobby is too selfish and sleeps around too much to be the hero. Great work by the supporting actors. John Leguizamo and Ellen Barkin do the best in this film as Manny, a sleazy agent and Jewel, a ballsy sports reporter.
Rating: 
Summary: Although ignored at theaters, this loony thriller delives
Review: Tony Scott, the slick Brit behind Top Gun, Crimson Tide, and Enemy of the State, directs this perposterous tale of a psychotic baseball fanatic who stalks a high priced out fielder after the player goes into a slump. While not really stretching his acting range, Robert De Niro again demands attention in another stalker-role. Wesley Snipes amicably plays the baseball star whose life unravels at the hands of the crazy fan. While a few more surprises could have enhanced the script, Scott directs with such panache and verve that one forgets the plot contrivances and enjoys the stylish, yet frightening trip.
Rating:
Summary: Another Tony Scott classic
Review: Well, I just happened onto a gem while I was in Wal-Mart tonight. I saw they had the The Fan movie in the $5.50 bin, but was disappointed to see it was only fullscreen. Continuing my shuffling through the bin I found one of the first editions with a different cover and low and behold: both full and widescreen versions. I guess it slipped by the distribution center or something.
Everyone else's reviews are trashing this movie. You must be the same people on the other review board praising The Punisher movie. Not realistic? Neither was Indiana Jones, neither was Star Wars, but those movies kick ass. I hate it when people use that as a review, unless of course, it's for I Robot. Then I'll let you slide.
Though, this is not Tony Scott's best - I'll admit. Considering Man On Fire is so damn amazing - that is definitely his best to date. But, it's still a solid and excellent movie. De Niro is creepy as hell, and if Snipes picked up a bat tomorrow and really played for the MLB, I'd buy it.( I guess that's why he also starred in Major League)
I think people sometimes don't get a movie, then they immediately discard it for others. They "choose" for everyone else. De Niro is not directly a villian. His passion for baseball ends up crowding out his son and in the end his mental state making him crazy. I think we get to see two people who are obsessed with one thing, that being baseball, and finding out in the end what truly matters or doesn't. De Niro goes crazy trying to find perfection for his son in baseball and The Giants. While Snipes finds out that he's still human inside and does care, by not caring so much about trying to achieve perfection. We see both characters transform into their next state, De Niro going nuts at his kids game while under a restraining order and Snipes not comfortable with the fact that Leguizamo, wants to use the sick child in a coma, to better his image.
Yes there are movie moments like, they rushed through Del Toro's death, etc. But, if they visualized every detail, then movies would be 20 hours long. It's not in real time folks. It's only a movie. If your a Tony Scott fan, and like movies. Check it out.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Movie, More than just Sport
Review: Well, what a movie. Anyone who doesn't like this doesn't like good movies. Snipes and DeNiro are excellent, as is the story of the fan who is sick of being taken for a ride by his heroes, who care little about the Fan. The only down is the dark lighting at the games, but you get used to it, and enjoy the movie. The unexpected turn when Primeau dies is dramatic, and helps pace the film well into its thrilling finale, that lacks predictability. 5 stars.
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