Bad Company on DVD
One always expects good things from movies with Anthony Hopkins,
which makes a merely average film like Bad Company seem all that much more of a
disappointment.
Hopkins is Agent Oakes who, when his partner is killed in action,
must put up with his unknown twin-brother, Jake Hayes (Chris Rock) as a
substitute. Unfortunately, Jake turns out to be one hundred eighty degrees from
his brother: he's basically a penniless and aimless street punk.
But he's willing to help the CIA, for a price of course. So they
give him nine days to copy his brothers personality and speech patterns
and to finish the job his brother started.
Naturally, it doesn't work out as expected.
Okay, Bad Company isnt a bad movie, but it doesn't really
seem to have any compelling reason to exist, other than to put the great
Hopkins into a movie with the grate Rock. Other than that, the film doesn't
offer anything new.
Hopkins, as usual, is very good while Rock is pretty good as
well. But his sophisticated act isn't nearly as convincing as his performances
are when he's around merely for comedy relief.
Still, you do get some some decent action scenes, and that's
always fun. There are plenty of other, and better, action movies around,
however, so Bad Company may deservedly get lost in the shuffle.
The DVD treatment is probably as good as the movie deserves. While
it does boast of excellent picture quality, the sound leaves a lot to be
desired and there's only one extra included on the disc.
The picture is presented in anamorphic widescreen, 16x9 TV
compatible, and it really is excellent, with a pristine transfer and rich
color. We wish all DVD's were this good visually.
On the othe rhand, the audio isn't nearly up to that quality. You
are give the choice between Dolby Digital or DTS surround, but neither track is
a treat for the ears. For one thing, there's little or no surround, even during
the action scenes, and the other quality is less than one expects.
The only extra is a behind-the-scenes featurette (In Bad
Company); it's about ten minutes long and features interviews with the
principals who appear to believe Bad Company is new and unique. Must have been
recorded on their promo junket....
Bad Company, from Touchstone Home Video
117 min. anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1), 16x9 TV compatible, Dolby Digital
5.1 and DTS surrround
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Chris Rock, Gabriel Macht,
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Mke Stenson
Written by Jacon Richman and Michael Browning, directed by Joel Schumacher
Tell us at TechnoFile what YOU think