After the brilliance achieved by writer/director Cameron Crowe with "JERRY MAGUIRE", it was easy to be thrilled with anticipation for his new film, "ALMOST FAMOUS".  To Crowe's credit, he succeeds again in making a film that like "MAGUIRE" is both funny and extremely moving.  Although this critic hated the kind associated with the band he's created for this film, it doesn't matter!  It really is the band's passion for their craft, along with the atmosphere surrounding them and the period depicted that make "ALMOST
FAMOUS" such an unforgettable film. Crowe's film is extremely personal and as portions of the film attest, truth is stranger than fiction.  The young boy turned "rock journalist" depicted in the film echoes the youthful ambition and intelligence Crowe exhibited in becoming the youngest writer for "ROLLING STONE".  Just as this character is enamored with the entire rock 'n' roll culture, we, the audience become enamored with the characters we're introduced to.  This association begins in the film's beginning with his mom, played brilliantly by Frances McDormand.  One of many great scenes takes place when she drops off her young son at a rock concert for his first writing gig.  As he walks away from the stationwagon, slowly becoming acquainted with his own sense of identity/freedom, he along with a crowd of fans, including beautiful young rock fans can hear his mom yelling "Don't take drugs!"  It's a classic delivery of a classic line!  As the film progresses, the young man gains maturity as he learns to separate idolatry for reality, and learns that humanity comes in many forms.  In this story, it comes to him in the shape of Kate Hudson, a young fan/groupie having a sometime affair with one of the band's stars.  To the band, it's the young boy that teaches them humanity as he shows at least one of them the importance of "truth", electing to write an honest portrait of the band, whether it dispels their "magic" persona or not.  Pretty much everything about this film is terrific.  The cast is superb, and Billy Cruddup, once again proves why he's one of the most under-appreciated actors around.
While Hudson does a fine job, it's really a crime that Cruddup wasn't even nominated.
DREAMWORKS has presented the transfer with the correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  The image is extremely sharp.  Colors are solid and there's great depth to each and every hue depicted.  The detail is superb in every frame!  The contrast is also outstanding, with deep blacks and grays.

DREAMWORKS has elected to release both the DOLBY DIGITAL and DTS 5.1 mixes for this release!  While both are extremely effective and the surround usage is equally aggressive, there's a distinct advantage on the DTS track.  This is most pronounced during concert sequences, where the audience is really placed in the center of a 360 degree environment.  The bass is tighter on the DTS track as well. 
While it's disappointing that the "extended" director's cut of the film
wasn't ready in time to be included here, the theatrical version is still
one of the best films of the year.
There is a featurette included, offering behind-the-scenes footage and
interviews with the cast and director. DREAMWORKS has included seven articles by Crowe, written during his "ROLLLING STONE" era.  These help to demonstrate just how impressive this kid was "and" still is! While Crowe's not a kid, anymore, he has a child-like passion to his work that can't be ignored or unappreciated!