Proof of Life-
One of the most wrongly maligned films of the past year, "PROOF OF LIFE" has gotten a new lease on life thanks to a stellar dvd presentation from WARNER BROS. Russell Crowe stars as the top negotiator for a company saving insurance companies on kidnapping reimbursement costs. As the brilliant opening sequence shows, Crowe's a Humphrey Bogart-like character, willing to take great risks to do his job well. As the film progresses, an American, played by David Morse, is kidnapped and Crowe is sent in to get him out. Unfortunately, the company Morse works for has intentionally let the insurance policy for kidnapping lapse, thereby negating any financial assistance in getting him back. Crowe's character is decent enough, or simply in need of personal redemption, to aid Morse's wife, Meg Ryan, in her efforts to get her husband back safely. While the film was marketed as a romantic adventure, it's really not either. Sure, there are some great action sequences, but this is more of a psychological thriller. The film's romantic, but only in the literary sense that there's unrequited love between Ryan and Crowe, whereby the comparison to "CASABLANCA" has been made.

WARNER BROS. has presented a spectacular transfer for this release! The transfer is flawless! Colors are solid with distinctive hues and not a hint of oversaturation! Fleshtones appear natural throughout! The contrast is also incredible with some of the deepest blacks and grays
we've ever seen! There is some minor grain in a few instances, but it's so minor in proportion to how the rest of the film looks, it's not a concern. The correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio has been maintained with 16:9 enhancement.

WARNER BROS. has also provided a spectacular Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. Although the surrounds are more subdued than we'd prefer for some of the action sequences, they're well balanced overall. Most of the directional effects are focused towards the front soundstage, and they sound terrific. The opening sequence, in particular, stands out! The bass comes in handy here, as does the .1 LFE, especially with the explosions as a helicopter attempts a rescue as Crowe recounts his latest mission to his employers. WARNER BROS. has provided an audio commentary and featurette for this "Special Edition". Director Taylor Hackford provides an audio commentary for the film on an isolated track. Although Hackford has been providing
a lot of commentaries in recent years(Laserdisc version of "IDOLMAKER", dvd presentation of "Deloris Claiborne" and "Devil's Advocate") he still comes off far too dull here. Most of the commentary is made up of commenting on what the viewer already sees on the screen. While he does offer some insight at times, it's far too infrequent for this reviewer to recommend listening to it!

The featurette offered is basically a studio fluff piece. David Caruso hosts the HBO special, offering some behind-the-scenes footage, but focusing on the action of the film rather than the plot. The theatrical trailer is offered with 16:9 enhancement.