Public Enemies DVD: Review By slysnide

May 6th, 2010 by slysnide
Depression Era Gangters...Michael Mann style!
  • OVERALL
    4.0
    GREAT
  • Feature
  • Picture
  • Sound
  • Extras
  • Replay Value
THE GOOD
Decent extras with a great transition from silver screen to television screen. And the fact that it was filmed in some of the real locations where the events actually took place compensates for the inaccuracies.
THE BAD
It toyed with historical accuracy to maintain more excitement when plenty other preceding films based on these events did the same. So a truer version would greatly have been preferred, though this was still good, even with the so-so acting of Christen Bale.
THE FEATURE
When Dillinger and company go on the run from the feds, Agent Purvis uses lethal force and Dillinger's own girlfriend to track them down. But will the notorious thieves settle for prison time? Old Sparky? Or would they rather go down guns a blazing?

Reference my 134th review for the rest.
THE EXTRAS
On Disc 1 there are two features, being a commentary by Michael Mann, and "Larger Than Life Adversaries" which examines the rivalry between Dillinger & Purvis in the film, and how it played out without them having only one scene face to face.

On Disc 2 there are two featurettes, being "Michael Mann: Making Public Enemies," and "On Dillinger's Trail: The Real Locations" which details the still existing locations like Little Bohemia Lodge that were used for filming, among other things.

Also, as a Best Buy Bonus there was a third disc which featured four more featurettes which comprised more of the same of the previous two discs. So nothing new there. Just minimal added footage.
THE VIDEO
Despite being made in color when we're mostly used to black & white for that age, it still comes across beautifully on screen. And it's just as good on the small screen than the more famous silver one.
THE AUDIO
The music was dramatic, and the sounds sometimes as quiet as walking barefoot on a carpet, so a better sound system is recommended for this film.
THE PACKAGE
Once again, another slipcase with a close up of Depp.
THE FINAL WORD
Despite the historical inaccuracies, Michael Mann succeeded at taking what potentially could've been a slow and boring biopic and turned it into a vastly enjoyable adventure which maintains suspense, despite the fact that the general outcome is already known. So if you're not overly critical of such changes to such a story, then this film is just the ticket.

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