'Reservoir Dogs' - High-Def Digest Review

[jed]

Fans of Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs' are likely to take issue with Peter's review of the flick on Blu-ray -- to put it mildly, he thinks the much-beloved film is overated. On the bright side, he gives the technical aspects of this Blu-ray presentation relatively high marks, praising both the transfer and the soundtrack. Unfortunately this 15th Anniversary Blu-ray edition includes only a handful of extras included on the recently released 15th Anniversary Edition standard-def DVD. Hey, Lionsgate: what gives?

Full review
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/reservoirdogs.html

[Dave Mack]

Nice review of the technical aspects!

into the queue it goes!

d

[Hi-Def Nut]

While not a "defining cinematic landmark", I disagree w/Peter's review of this film. Tarantino did better w/subsequent films, but 'Reservoir Dogs' is a well-done violent crime film about violent criminals. Characters start kind of likable, but Tarantino, by the end, shows us what these characters are really like. You're not supposed to like them. You identify & empathize w/Tim Roth's character because of what he gets himself into & what he has to do to fit in. This movie isn't really different from many of Scorsese's as his characters aren't likable as well & there's a lot of violence that is part of that world.

Sorry Wes Craven, but something like 'Scream' is much more a gratuituously violent flick in the name of escapist fun. You've also got women in peril & demeaning things are done to them. To me, this is a lot more offensive than a depiction of criminals doing crime.

[mischa316]

I guess some people dont like sensless violence!! The ear scene is one of my favorite parts of the movie!! It's just sick and twisted that's what I like about it. This has to be one of my favorite tarantino movies ever pulp fiction is my fav. Just looked at my queue in netflix there definitely sending this and rambo first blood for tomorrow!! That's why you put those to the top of your queue the day before so you can get it the day of release.
Mischa.

[movie15]

How can you not like this film? Good review of the technical aspects though.

[Bruuce]

Ha! I sent my netflix movies back today. Hopefully they get them tomorrow and send out 'Dogs', 'American Psycho', and 'First Blood'.

[Dr_Gonzo]

Wow Peter, this is the first review I've ever read, who didn't like the film. Hats of for you, to dare write a review like this... I don't, in any way, agree with you, but you earned my respect.

[Hi-Def Nut]

Watched this disc last night. Solid PQ & I remain convinced it's a first-rate crime thriller .

[rickman33]

***Please do not read if you have not seen the movie. It will surely spoil your expereince***

I'm sure one reason Quentin Tarantino makes movies is because he finds it very gratifying. And though Reservoir Dogs is filled with violence, sadism, and gore (like pretty much all of Tarantino's flicks), I'm certain Tarantino does not soley find gratification in the fact that Reservoir Dogs is violent, sadistic, and gory.

Though a $1.2 million budget is not paltry by independent film standards, it is much less than any of Tarantino's higher-lauded films such as Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, or Kill Bill. Perhaps if you don't really dig on independent films or low production-values, you may not dig on Reservior Dogs.

How different is cutting off an ear from blowing someone's brains out in the interior of a car or the forceful sodomization of a man in the basement of a pawn shop? It is the tone that is set- not by the director, but by the character. The characters in Pulp Fiction jokingly carry on after they shoot a man in the back of their car. These characters add humor to the scene and situation that would actually be terrifying if it were real. I found the sodomization scene in Pulp Fiction quite disturbing, but it won't take away from the film. It carries on the story and portrays the tribulations that certain characters in the story must endure.

Just as well, Reservior Dogs is more than just sadistic violence. If there was no torture (before Mr. Blonde was to kill the hostage cop), there would have been no opportunity for Mr. Orange to save that cop (and ultimately lead to the revelation that he himself is in fact an undercover officer).

The fact that a majority of the story only takes place in a warehouse is because it is the only place the story can take place. It is the safehouse where everyone is to meet after the heist has gone wrong. It adds tension to the mood. You are literally stuck in that warehouse with them, wanting to leave, but also anxiously waiting for anyone else to show up and provide their views on what happened.

Ultimately, however, the movie is much more than just a story. It is about naivete, about how we can blindingly trust someone and believe in them based on judgement. And to see Mr. White's (Harvey Keitel) compassion for Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) do a 180 when he learns of that betrayal, and to question right and wrong- he valued Mr. Orange as a human being based on the fact that he was honest and loyal (he took a bullet in the gut) and seemed like a generally nice guy. Later, Mr. White had to come to grips that that Mr. Orange had betrayed that trust and ultimately would be the reason of his demise. Yet at the same time, Mr. White also came to the realization that Mr. Orange did not lead a life of robbing jewelry stores, but instead actually led a law-abiding (and law-enforcing) life. And it was only because of him that Mr. Orange was placed in a situation where hewould have to lie as well as shoot an innocent bystander.

But, to each his own- every person has different tastes in movies. If that person believes Reservoir Dogs to be worse than 80% of all movies watched (that's what 1/5 implies), than so be it. However, if you don't want to scratch below the surface of what you believe to be a shallow, sadistic gore-flick, maybe you should curve your rating a bit to the voice of the concensus .

[Mr_Fizzlepop]

Peter M. Bracke wrote:

Supplement-wise, this Blu-ray version of the 'Reservoir Dogs - 15th Anniversary Edition' can only be described as a disappointment compared to what you get with the recently released standard-def version, which is so packed with a mix of both new and old supplements that the list would take up this whole page. Tons of commentaries, documentaries, rare footage, festival clips, etc.

This is Unclear to me, is he saying that the Standard Def has all this stuff and the Blu-ray has only the new stuff..or that All this and the New 15th anniversary stuff is on this?

Can someone that has the Disc give me some feedback on this?

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Mr_Fizzlepop

Peter M. Bracke wrote:


This is Unclear to me, is he saying that the Standard Def has all this stuff and the Blu-ray has only the new stuff..or that All this and the New 15th anniversary stuff is on this?

Can someone that has the Disc give me some feedback on this?

The Blu-ray disc only has a few supplements. It doesn't have everything that was on the new 15th Anniversary Edition, which in turn didn't have the same supplements as the 10th Anniversary Edition. For this reason, I haven't upgraded to the Blu-ray. For an item by item comparison, I'd suggest looking at a pic of the back of the box, which you can find at www.dvdempire.com

[Steeb]

This movie looks and sounds better than it ever has. Highly recommended, especially if you have the Panny (the DTS-HD track sounds fantastic.)

[ericpizzapie]

Seen this for cheap lately. Is it worth picking up?

[Arkadin]

no.
get the Dutch version.
It is far superior imo.

[GamerGuyX]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

no.
get the Dutch version.
It is far superior imo.

That release doesnt even support pop-up menu's! A basic feature of any Blu-ray release.