"We're here for the bank's money, not yours." Blu ray review!, February 27, 2010

Mann tells the story of John Dillinger (Depp) the last great American outlaw and the man who brought him down, FBI Agent Purvis (Bale). During The Great Depression, Dillinger was considered a folkhero. He stole from the banks but never the patrons. Old film footage even shows him treated like a rockstar upon his capture. Shockingly, Mann stays true to some historical facts, but he does take plenty of liberties to enhance the story. Using groundbreaking investigation techniques for that time, Purvis succeeds in capturing Dillinger. However, some good lawyering and a wood gun leads up to an extraordinary breakout. Agent Purvis is now even more determined to not only recapture the bank robber but to make sure he can never escape again! The movie is wonderfully acted by it's two leads, Bale and Depp. Mann loves to pit great actors against each other and it's nice to watch. Ultimately the story is not that compelling. It lacks the charm of other gangster flicks like "The Untouchables" and "Mobsters". Even though the movie runs 2 hours and 21 minutes there is substance missing. The movie desreves 3.5 stars not 3, but the option isn't available. A very good movie that could have been better. MY BLU RAY THOUGHTS: This is the first Universal Blu ray that I was disappointed in. The picture is nice but not amazing. There are even some scenes where color seems a little off. Maybe this was a lighting decision to make it look like more of a period piece, who knows? The sound is either too loud or hard to hear. The special features are very interesting, especially the historical ones. FINAL VERDICT: A MUST OWN FOR GANGSTER MOVIE FANS! Still worth a watch.

      Flawed but watchable biopic, February 27, 2010

Michael Mann's latest is at least as frustrating as it is satisfying. The story of John Dillinger is told, from the time he was sent back to prison for the second time, through to his ultimate demise. The movie presents a thief versus dogged pursuing cop in a superficially similar way to Heat, as a mesmerizingly charismatic Johnny Depp as Dillinger, and a glowering Christian Bale as Melvyn Purvis the FBI agent face off against each other. However, the tale unfolds in a much more traditional and workmanlike fashion than you might expect from Mann's previous work. The period setting is terrifically presented, as is the rat-a-tat of period armoury. The script however, tells the story in an orderly fashion, not really delving much into the characters or their motivations. The only detour into understanding a little about what was going on in Dillinger's head is a detour into the romance between Dillinger and Billie Frechette, which seems neither long enough to do justice to a terrific turn from Marion Cotillard, or brief enough to avoid feeling like it's been uncomfortably shoehorned in. Christian Bale plays a straight role also, without really ever feeling we understand what drives the man. It's entertaining, and has enough prison breakouts, chases and bank robberies to keep you glued for the slightly lengthy running time. However, there are some unusual stylistic choices which do not quite work. Mann has filmed in Hi-Def Digital cameras, eschewing film for the first time. Period movies shot in film have a warmth and softness to the pallet that `feels right' to the eye. Digital cameras have a way of making the action real and immediate, certainly, but so real and immediate it begins to feel like reality TV documentary style. Bright lights burn into the screen, and fast movement feels harsh on the eye in a way that we are used to seeing on the TV screen rather than in a period movie setting. There are times it works to make the viewer accept what you are seeing as real, and not a construct. But there are more times when the digital camera artefacts break the fourth wall and you are reminded this IS a movie set and not real, particularly with the directors penchant for hand held camera for even the most static of dialogue scenes. As a stylistic experiment it is a bold choice - but ultimately one that does not help the movie. On the plus side, the transfer to Bluray is certainly striking, and you are certainly left feeling you saw the movie as the director intended. So - entertaining, yes. Interesting document of exploits of one of America's most notorious criminals and the birth of the FBI - yes. However, as a piece of cinema it is flawed, and not likely to stick in your mind for the right reasons.

      The story of John Dillinger, February 24, 2010

Depp and Bale emerse themselves in their respective characters. Great performances and an interesting story.

      Good directing but weak story, February 23, 2010

Public Enemies has been told in print and in documentary format. I will tip my cap to Michael Mann he does tell the story in a very stylish format. However the story is so riddled with inaccuracies and cuts out so many essential details that for those who know the real story, it is nearly unwatchable. It is a shame that such great actors like Johnny Depp and Christian Bale and a great director like Michael Mann couldn't have come up with a story that is less focused on celebrity and more focused on the background and why they became so famous or infamous. This is a technical picture which excels in a number of ways. But the story just doesn't jell and that takes what could have been a great movie like The Insider and turns it into an average one! Not bad but not a great movie!