DVD
REVIEW: THE WRESTLER
04/20/09
OVERVIEW: One of the most-critically acclaimed films of the year, featured on dozens of year-end “top ten” lists and garnering numerous accolades for its once fallen star, The Wrestler debuts on DVD April 21 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) directs Mickey Rourke (Sin City, Man on Fire) in a career-defining role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a veteran performer on the professional wrestling circuit who is desperate to hold on to the fame and glory that once surrounded him. Despite himself and the odds stacked against him, “The Ram” begins to evaluate his state of life, attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter and striking up a relationship with an exotic dancer with troubles of her own. Bruised and battered both inside and outside the ring, Randy slowly tries to piece together the life he still has; but the thrill of the show and the passion for his art threatens to take it all away from him once again.
SYNOPSIS: Mickey
Rourke gives the performance of a lifetime as pro wrestler
Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a former superstar now paying the
price for twenty years of grueling punishment in and out of
the ring. But he’s about to risk everything to prove he has
one more match left in him: a re-staging of his famous
Madison Square Garden bout against “The Ayatollah.”
DVD: The Wrestler is presented in
a widescreen format with a 2.35:1 aspect ration. The
transfer looks clean, judging from the watermark screening
received it is very difficult to determine the real quality
of the video, however I wont doubt that the final product
will be just fine. The picture is
complemented with a 5.1 Dolby digital sound with Spanish and English subtitles.
In terms of special
features the DVD includes only a couple. The first
featurette is "Within the Ring", which is very
interesting and exceptional 45 minutes documentary. In this
featurette Director Darren Aronofsky and the
rest of the filmmakers take viewers into the journey of
making The Wrestler. In my opinion this is one of the best
behind the scenes that I have seen. It answered many of the
question that I have in my mind about the film, however it
doesn't include cast commentaries. The second featurette is
"The Wrestler " Music Video performed by Bruce Springsteen.
Overall the realism
presented by Director Darren Aronofsky and by Mickey
Rourke performance is what makes this film an absorbing call
to reality. This film is without a doubt the second best
film of 2008 behind "Slumdog Millionaire". After watching
this film, one can only as the question, Why Mickey Rourke
did not win the Academy Award? I guess we all know the
answer.
VIDEO:
2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
AUDIO:
English
5.1 (Dolby Digital).
Subtitles - English Spanish - Optional
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Within the Ring
featurette: This is a very good documentary in which
the filmmakers discuss in detail how the film was made,
unfortunately there are no comments from the cast, however
worth watching ( 44:42)
The Wrestler Music
Video – Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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