High Crimes on DVD

Another day, another military courtroom drama.

High Crimes stars Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman as lawyers who must defend a man charged with murdering nine civilians in Central America.

Jim Caviezel plays the defendant, Tom Kubik, and Judd plays his wife, Claire, who must go against the wishes of the military and her employer in order to save her husband from the death penalty.

Claire has to quickly learn the differences between regular court and military court if she hopes to save her husband. Fortunately, in walks Charlie Grimes (Freeman), a severe pain in the military’s neck and just what the doctor ordered.

High Crimes plays much like most other military courtroom dramas; as the case progresses, our heroine’s life is in danger as those involved will do anything to keep a lid on the facts. It’s better than most films like this, but not as good as others such as Rules of Engagement or A Few Good Men.

Judd is phenomenal in the lead role, proving she’s a much better actress than she gets credit for. Very few actors can portray emotions as well as she. And Freeman, of course, is always a treat.

There is a twist at the end, but it's one you can see coming if you’re paying attention. Unfortunately, the movie should have ended with the twist. But it doesn't; iit gets Hollywood-y instead, to the point of making us roll our eyes.

High Crimes has suspense, humor, twists, and a great cast. If you're a fan of the military courtroom drama, High Crimes will probably entertain you.

Just make sure you don't expect something new and unique.

Fox has provided a pretty good DVD. The anamorphic widescreen is a little soft through most of the picture, and there are a couple of scenes that show a bit of grain, but the quality is otherwise quite good. The night scenes are not made so dark that you can’t make out what’s going on, and even when it’s grainy it isn't unbearable.

The 5.1 Dolby Digital is used exactly as it should be. The score and certain sound effects are done effectively through the surrounds, while most of the dialogue is directed to the front. There is some heavy bass in the movie, so make sure you have your subwoofer ready.

Director Carl Franklin provides an audio commentary, and there are also six featurettes that run just over half an hour total. The featurettes are titled “A Military Mystery,” Liar Liar: How to Beat a Polygraph,” “A Different Kind of Justice,” “FBI Takedown in Union Square,” “The Car Crash,” and “Together Again.”

Also included is, of course, the original theatrical trailer.

High Crimes, from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
115 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) 16X9 enhanced, 5.1 Dolby Digital
Starring Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Jim Caviezel, Amanda Peet and Bruce Davison
Produced by Arnon Milchan, Janet Yang, Jesse B’Franklin
Screenplay by Yuri Zeltser & Cary Bickley
Directed by Carl Franklin

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