Mr. Brooks DVD: Review By Shelley

THE CAST: Kevin Costner, Dane Cook, Demi Moore, Marg Helgenberger and William Hurt are the headliners in this film. Everyone delivers in movie, but my favorite performance was from William Hurt. He was superb as Marshall and very convincing as Brooks’ 'anti-conscience'.

DIRECTION, CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SPECIAL EFFECTS: Mr. Brooks is not a beautiful film, but it is not meant to be. The special effects and cinematography were spot-on for this film. It succeeds were a lot of films fail; the atmosphere the film creates is perfect.

Director Bruce A. Evans also co-wrote Mr. Brooks and it is a shame that he has not written or directed a film since. He was nominated for an Oscar for his writing of Stand By Me so it is obvious he is talented.

THE GOOD: The best thing about Mr. Brooks is the story and script. It was so well written that you are able to grasp the complexity of Earl Brooks (Costner). Brooks having conversations with his alter-ego (Hurt) gives the viewer insight to the mind of the serial killer. The film is also well paced giving the audience time to absorb all the dialogue.

THE BAD: The only thing I would change about the film is the time spent on the personal life of Detective Tracy Atwood (Moore). I felt it was just a little too much and the time would have been better spent focusing on Mr. Brooks.

THE STORY (may contain spoilers): Mr. Earl Brooks has just been elected Man of the Year, but no one knows that secretly he is a serial killer. Killing is an addiction that he is trying to keep under control but his alter-ego, Marshall, wants to do one last ‘job’. Brooks gives in but this time there is a problem, someone has taken photographs. Mr. Smith (Dane Cook) begins to blackmail Brooks by forcing him to let him participate in the next murder. Will Brooks kill him and hope the photographs are never found or take him and teach him how to kill? Will the detective that has been hunting him find the photographer?

EXTRAS: Widescreen Edition

Audio commentary by director/co-writer Bruce A. Evans and co-writer Raynold Gibson

The Birth of a Serial Killer: The Writing of Mr. Brooks featurette

On the Set of Mr. Brooks featurette

Murder on Their Minds: Mr. Brooks, Marshall & Mr. Smith featurette

Theatrical trailer

Deleted scenes

REPLAY VALUE: Mr. Brooks has above average replay value. I have watched the DVD several times since purchasing it and because it is such a good film, I will be watching it many times in the future.

BOTTOM LINE: Originally I had rated Mr. Brooks four stars, but I have watched it a couple times since and I have found a new appreciation for the film. Therefore I have rated the DVD 4.5 stars because I feel it deserves it. I recommend Mr. Brooks to anyone who enjoys dark, moody, underrated thrillers.

Thanks for reading.