Fight Club

	Review by Howard Anderson © 2000 Howard Anderson

Synopsis

MISCHIEF.  MAYHEM.  SOAP.

What happens first is you can't sleep. What happens then is there's a gun in your mouth.

And what happens next is you meet Tyler Durden. Let me tell you about Tyler. He had a plan. In Tyler we trusted.

Tyler says the things you own, end up owning you. It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything. Fight Club represents that kind of freedom.

First rule of Fight Club: You do not talk about Fight Club. Second rule of Fight Club: You DO NOT talk about Fight Club.

Tyler says self-improvement is masturbation. Tyler says self-destruction might be the answer.

Review

It's raw, edgy, intense, mind-blowing, funny, brutal, and obscenely brilliant. It's... "Fight Club." At the risk of sounding like a complete mental case, I've simply got to say that this film really spoke to me. Who hasn't felt like Jack (Edward Norton) at some point or another? Who hasn't felt the need to grab a hold of your asshole supervisor, or whatever, smash him up against the wall and beat his face in? Who hasn't eyed some guy in a bar and thought: can I take him? We are all potential ticking time-bombs. We all possess a capacity for violence. But still, most of us know where to draw the line. It's a line that, from time to time, might get a little blurry, but that's only to be expected in this high-stress consumer society of ours.

Director David Fincher has crafted a brilliant movie, based on a brilliant novel by author Chuck Palahniuk. The plot is character-driven and multi-layered. And as for the visual sense infused into this movie by David Fincher and Director of Photography, Jeff Cronenweth, I felt it matched the energy and intensity of the story perfectly.

The performances given by Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are outrageous, ingenious, and solid proof that these are two of the finest actors of their generation. Helena Bonham Carter also makes her presence known as the eccentric Marla, as does Meat Loaf Aday as Bob and Jared Lito as Angel.

The music is equally amazing in this movie, and the score delivered by The Dust Brothers is exactly what the doctor ordered. This is a raw and energetic movie, and as such it needs a raw and energetic soundtrack. From the visual treat that is the opening sequence, to the nightly rumbles at Fight Club, this soundtrack will beat you senseless. After all, this is... "Fight Club."

Image

The 16x9 enhanced widescreen image, presented in its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio, is quite simply flawless. The cinematography consists, of course, of the trademark Fincher look (only taken to a whole new level), and as such there is quite a bit of darkness to be found in "Fight Club." But still, everything from the deepest and darkest of shadows, to the dark-red splatter of spilled blood on concrete floors is rendered perfectly. Everything you find on this DVD, picture included, is reference quality, so sit down in awe and behold this theater of mass-destruction. This has to be the best-looking DVD yet.

Sound

It's alive! And it is so powerful that it just might kill you before the movie's over. This is one of the greatest Dolby Digital 5.1 soundmixes ever done. The sheer power of it is staggering, but also the amount of detail and information put into the surrounds (both specific and atmospheric), so totally inundates you, that two minutes into the movie you are no longer aware that you're sitting in front of a TV, and three minutes later you have trouble remembering your own name. If the film itself and its beyond perfect image won't absorb you, body and soul, into "Fight Club", then the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack sure as hell will. The dialogue is crystal clear at all times, and the bass goes so deep that at times you almost feel it more than you hear it. This truly is... "Fight Club."

Features

My, oh my, where to begin? You better set aside a whole day for the extra features alone on this 2-disc special edition, cause here you'll find no less than four audio commentary tracks. The first is by David Fincher. The second is by Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter and David Fincher again. On the third you'll find author of "Fight Club", Chuck Palahniuk, and screenwriter, Jim Uhls. And finally, the fourth commentary features production designer Alex McDowell, Director of Photography Jeff Cronenweth, costumer Michael Kaplan, FX supervisor Kevin Haug, and animator Doc Bailey. Of the commentaries I think I liked the solo Fincher outing and the double-whammy that is Chuck Palahniuk and Jim Uhls the best, but all the commentaries were really great, so no matter which one you go with, you're in for a treat. On disc 1 you'll also find a THX OptiMode Test for you TV and surround system, so just click on the THX logo in the "Set-Up" section and give it a try.

On disc 2, however, the supplemental fun really begins. In "The Crew" section you'll find cast & crew biographies. In "The Work" section there's lots and lots of specific behind-the-scenes vignettes, each one dedicated to one specific scene or sequence. Click on "Advertising" to get to the 3 trailers, 1 teaser, 17 TV spots, 5 internet spots, 2 public service announcements with Pitt and Norton, a Dust Brothers music video, and a promotional gallery, with stills, lobby cards, and press kit. And then there's "The Art" section, where you'll find production artwork, storyboards, and even more photos. There is also a 20 page booklet inserted into a pocket of what must surely be the coolest DVD case to ever see the light of day. Have fun...

Overall Opinion

What more can I say? If you want the best film ever made, with the best ever sound and picture quality, along with one of the best ever special editions put together on DVD, then "Fight Club" just might be the film for you.