Dark Blue on DVD

The Rodney King trial and its aftermath serves as an always-oppressive background to Dark Blue, a story of police corruption in Los Angeles.

The always great Kurt Russell gets one of his meatiest roles since he happily chewed the scenery in “John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China” as LA police Sgt Eldon Perry. He’s the latest in a line of cops from his family, learned how to be a cop at his daddy’s knee - and continues to be that type of cop even though it means a great many rules may be bent or broken in the pursuit of justice.

He isn’t a bad guy, but he’s a flawed part of a flawed system he didn't create but in which he operates (if liberals really respected police, they’d probably portray him as a victim of the system rather than as the problem with it) - but it’s a system that does bring bad guys to justice.

He’s partnered with a promising, up and coming cop (Scott Speedman) who still views the world and the LAPD through rose colored glasses. Their boss (Brendan Gleeson) is a Bad Cop, manipulative and corrupt, and this brings him to the attention of the Deputy Chief (Ving Rhames), who has vowed to clean things up.

It’s a pretty good tale, though with a very politically correct ending where Russell has an epiphany and spills his guts most publicly. But the story draws you in, the characterizations are excellent, and though the Rodney King aspects pretty well beat you over the head, they and the politically correct tone don’t ruin the film.

One of the best things about Dark Blue is Russell’s character, the tough as nails cop whose life is turned upside down and who learns from his experiences.

Russell is always good and in Dark Blue he turns in his typically competent performance. The supporting cast is also very good.

The DVD features both anamorphic widescreen (16x9 TV compatible) and Pan&scan versions on opposite sides of the disc, which is a good way of saving customers from being saddled with a Pan&Scan version that isn't compatible with their 16x9 TV's when they upgrade to the new TV technology. PIcture quality is very good. Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and it's also very good.

The special edition DVD also includes a commentary track with director Ron Shelton, "Internal Affairs" - three feturettes on the film, and a photo gallery. You also get the trailer.

Dark Blue, from MGM Home Video
118 min. anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1, 16x9 TV compatible)/ Pan&Scan, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Starring Kurt Russell, Blendan Gleeson, Scott Speedman, Lolita Davidovich, Ving Rhames
Produced by James Jacks, Sean Daniel,
Written by David Ayer, Directed by Ron Shelton.

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