Rating: Summary: Well deserved Oscars! Review: Soderbergh brings to the screen a real piece of craftsmanship, where his skills as director and cinematographer stand out incredibly: you'll love the shots with full light, and if you're a big fan of Michael Mann's movies -Heat, Insider- you'll also love the 'quiet' takes full of blue light. As if it were not enough, a cast full of stars brings the movie to a totally different level: Mr. Michael Douglas (is there anything else that has not been already said about him); his lovely wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who happened to be beautifully pregnant in real-life during the movie; Benicio del Toro, who FINALLY became recognized as he should have, after roles as great as he played in 'Usual Suspects', 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and, more recently, 'Snatch'; and others. This movie where a carefully woven tapestry is thread throughout its length will satisfy most action-seeking viewers, just as much as it will fill the expectations of the thoughtful movie-viewer. Buy it, you can't be wrong!
Rating: Summary: Strongly disagree with the 'overdose' reviewer! Review: I can't think why would someone in his right mind not like such an incredible movie. Soderbergh brings to the screen a real piece of craftsmanship, where his skills as director and cinematographer stand out incredibly: you'll love the shots with full light, and if you're a big fan of Michael Mann's movies -Heat, Insider- you'll also love the 'quiet' takes full of blue light. As if it were not enough, a cast full of stars brings the movie to a totally different level: Mr. Michael Douglas (is there anything else that has not been already said about him); his lovely wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who happened to be beautifully pregnant in real-life during the movie; Benicio del Toro, who FINALLY became recognized as he should have, after roles as great as he played in 'Usual Suspects', 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and, more recently, 'Snatch'; and others. This movie where a carefully woven tapestry is thread throughout its length will satisfy most action-seeking viewers, just as much as it will fill the expectations of the thoughtful movie-viewer. Buy it, you can't be wrong!
Rating: Summary: "Traffic"- movie is awesome, but dvd needed a lot more Review: Recently, I bought the DVD to the film "Traffic" that I had been waiting for since I first saw the movie in theatres. The film was so impacting and all the issues that were brought up in the film stayed in my mind for a long time after watching it. Director Steven soderbergh and screenwriter Stephen Gaghan created a masterpiece when they made this film. I had not seen a film like that before, especially with the type of filmmaking that Soderbergh used in each of the three stories that were in the film and the way it showed the butal reality of how drugs can affect anyone. Now, moving on to why I only gave the film's DVD four instead of five stars. I gave this DVD this many stars because I am very disappointed with the extras on it. There is only the Theatrical and Teaser trailers, the TV spots, about a 15 minute behind the scenes feature and a photo gallery. That's all. Where are the commentary tracks or the deleted scenes? I guess director Steven Soderbergh is busy shooting his other film "Oceans Eleven" so it tis understandable that he may not have had time to put these extras on, but it still would have been nice to have those extras. But still, if you liked the film definitely buy the DVD because the movie is worth every penny.
Rating: Summary: One of the Best of 2000 Review: Benicio Del Toro gives an amazing performance in this film about the war against drugs. I usually do not enjoy movies in which the story jumps back and forth between characters, but this film works. The movie is engrossing from start to finish, especially the final shot which I think is a great way to end the movie. I highly recommend Traffic!
Rating: Summary: A dull, drawn out movie Review: This movie is only the second movie i have ever walked out on. there really isn't any plot. the scenes in mexico hurt your eyes because of the coloring. the show never ties anything together the only good thing about the show was Catherine Zeta-Jones. OVERRATED MOVIE OF THE YEAR!
Rating: Summary: outstanding film can't help DVD with dissapointing extras Review: "Traffic" is one of those films that you will never forget. From the acting to the locations to simply the way each story was made, it is easily one of the best films of the year. "Traffic" follows three interrelated stories into the the very real world of drugs. One story follows Benicio Del Toro as a Mexican policeman who becomes involved with his partner in a web of lies. The second: two DEA agents who work to bring down a San Diego Drug Trafficker. The third: The new drug-czar(Michael Douglas) has to deal his daughter's problem with drugs. This film shows that drugs can be everywhere no matter the setting. The screenplay written by "Rules of Engagement" writer Stephen Gaghan is very real with a variety of characters that are all connected to the drug world. "Traffic" is based on an English series which followed drug trafficking. The fact that it was easy to translate into the trafficking in North America shows that this is a world wide problem. The director's viewpoint is that taking drugs is not a criminal offense but a disease. Throughout this film, we realize that drug dealers are helped more than hurt by the drug war because as the product decreases in amount, the quality and the price grow. This DVD joins the collection of films released which were not given proper extras because the director did not have the time to add commentary and deleted scenes. The best extra on this DVD is the teaser trailer with the line "No One Gets Away Clean". It's unfortunate that the much wanted extras were nowhere to be found but this film is definitely worth adding to your collection.
Rating: Summary: ............ wow .............. Review: its the only word to describe it. its such a realistic look on the subject its about (thats all i can tell you because if one part is revieled then it ruins the movie). its deffinately not for the faint hearted but if you like intense movies this is one to watch.
Rating: Summary: An Admirable Effort that Greatly Overreaches Review: "Traffic" is controversial because it seems to suggest that the war on drugs has been lost and ought to be given up. However, whether you agree with that position or not, you'll be distracted by the fact that the message is not conveyed all that well. Though well acted and with camera work that immediately captures the attention, "Traffic" ultimately encounters heavy congestion in trying to get where it wants to go. The film is an ensemble picture broken essentially into three parts. The first follows an honest Mexican policeman and his partner as they become involved with a shady Mexican general who has taken sides in a drug feud for both fun and profit. This is the best of the three stories, though its ending seems a little too pat. The second story involves the wife of a "respectable" drug smuggler and her travails after her husband's arrest. This episode plays like your average episode of "Law and Order" and is as about as predictable. The third story follows newly appointed drug czar Michael Douglas and his addicted daughter. This episode rings phony and implausible in a number of ways. Douglas's daughter goes from being casual weekend user to selling her body in a crack house in just a manner of weeks. Then a few weeks later she's already spilling her guts at an "AA" Meeting. This portrayal is so cliche as to almost be demeaning to what real recovering addicts go through. Overall, "Traffic" is an overambitious failure. I happen to agree with its message, but I thought the message was very much garbled in the translation. In no way did it deserve a "Best Picture" nomination.
Rating: Summary: A Brutal Look Review: I watched this the same week as I watched "Requiem for a Dream". What a brutal week! Everyone by now knows what "Traffic" is about. No need to rehash that. But the message it gives, that the so-called war on drugs is a failure, is one that we all need to listen to. This movie somewhat proves that point. "Traffic" shows us why this war is a failure but does not offer solutions. It also underscores the many kinds of dependencies, not just illegal drugs, that our society approves of: the nightly scotch, the wine with lunch, the cigarettes. The casting was very good in this movie. Some characters were evil personified, others, like Ms. Zeta Jones, grew into their evil. The four stories jumped back and forth a little too fast for me - this did not allow time for any reflection before the next segment appeared. I did, however, like the way the film quality changed with the different stories. I do wish that the movie had been a bit more forceful in its demonstration of why the drug "war" is failing and that it had offered some ideas for how we need to deal with addicts (better treatment, use of "drug courts", etc). If it opened some eyes and started some dialogue, however, I guess we can consider this film a success.
Rating: Summary: A real waste.... Review: The movie, as it is, was pretty decent. Most of it will seem familiar to people who have taken in such classics as the French Connection and Scarface (Al Pacino, not the really old one), and the movie offers little that's new to the mix. The acting is very strong from everyone involved, but sometimes the movie jumped too quickly from each of the different stories and characters leaving me a little confused, especially with Del Toro's Mexican setting, where the plot seemed pretty intricate and complicated. Still, I can't fault the movie too badly. This review is more about the DVD, which is inexcusably poor. The picture and sound are sharp, but the fact is, this is the first of at least two DVDs. The next one will no doubt be a Special Edition of some sort, featuring commentary and deleted scenes, interviews, etc. This edition has almost nothing in those areas, so why waste your money? A far superior edition is no doubt a few months away, I wouldn't even be surprised to see it by this holiday season, although if not then, no doubt soon after. Save your money, rent this DVD, buy the next one. Mark my words, studios do this all the time, and Soderbergh is too busy on his current movie, Ocean's Eleven, to supervise the creation of the special edition of this DVD right now, so expect it after Ocean's Eleven wraps.
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