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Title: Deep Cover
Stars: Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, Clarence Williams III Gregory Sierra, and Charles Martin Smith
Writers: Michael Tolkin
Director: Bill Duke
Feature length: 107minutes
Extras: Wide screen Edition of the film preserving its 1:85.1 aspect ratio from its original Theatrical Exhibition enhanced for 16 by 9 televisions. Full Frame Version for 4 by 3 televisions, Original Theatrical Trailer, Cast and Crew Biographies and Filmographies, interactive menus
Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles: English
Packaging: Snapper case
Chapter Stops: 17
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo Surround Sound
Year of Theatrical Release: 1992/DVD Release: 1999
Theatrical Distributor: New Line Cinema
Home Video Distributor: New Line Home Video
MPAA Rating: R
DVD Rating: B+
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Deep Cover is one of the best collaborations of talent put together to tell an original action drama told from an African American's point of view, but with a story that transcends racial issues. Laurence Fishburne portrays a police officer haunted by the memories of his Father's death, who loses his identity when he goes deep undercover to disband a drug ring with ties leading back to the Federal Government.
To accomplish his goal, Fishburne uses a crooked Attorney, played by Jeff Goldblum, and ends up torn between his new found wealth and power in the underworld and the moral vows that drove him to becoming a cop, which are constantly reminded to him by a born again Police Detective played with incredible intensity by Clarence Williams III.
Deep Cover is by far one good movie with a great screenplay by Michael Tolkin who has delivered other hits such as "The Player" and "The Rapture," which are also available from New Line Home Video. Tolkin's screenplay transcends the genre by toying with the themes of drug dealing and Vice Squad as well as presenting a film that when first released looks as if it were marketed primarily for African American moviegoers, but for those who are intrigued by the film's premise, will see a film that not only works well as a picture about a plight told from the point of view of an African American, but also reaches out with it's witty dialogue and intense characters to encompass larger themes of universal corruption that effects all. To paraphrase Goldblum's character, this isn't about race in America. There are no more races in America. There are only two groups, rich and poor.
Accomplished Director and Actor Bill Duke, who appears very briefly in a pool hall scene if you keep your eyes open, is a fantastic Director that keeps the pace of the film rolling and entertaining while never letting viewers forget what is at stake for the characters and in a very real sense, for the viewers of this film. All of this talent put together back in 1992 produced another theatrical hit for those involved.
Now New Line is releasing this DVD day and date with their Platinum Series Collection DVD for "The Corruptor," on September 14, 1999 and all I can say is I wish they made this film a Platinum Series edition too. Deep Cover features a wide screen 1:85.1 transfer enhanced for 16 by 9 televisions and a full frame edition for 4 by 3 televisions that can be easily chosen from a dual layered disc.
Unfortunately, there are hardly any extras and the transfer is not one of their usual pristine editions. At times the picture looks clear with solid blacks and nice contrasts, but at other times there seems to be a murky grain and some definite compression artifacts that makes one wonder what materials were used for the transfer.
That aside, I am a great fan of this film and I still think it is worth buying, but I was disappointed by the less than stellar DVD picture quality that while clear, it is definitely not as sharp as other films New Line as delivered on DVD, whether they be Platinum Series Editions or regular releases. A film with A list talent like Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum as well as the writing talent of Michael Tolkin and Directing expertise of Bill Duke should have included a commentary track. I could be more forgiving of a less than perfect transfer if there was a commentary track by any of the diverse talents involved with the making of this feature.
On the up side, we do get a fantastic Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround English Soundtrack that rocks not only from the film's action, but also from the hip theme song, "Deep Cover" by Dr. Dre introducing (at the time) Snoop Doggy Dogg in one of their best collaborations as musical artists. Aside from the excellent sound, the only extras are the film's Theatrical Trailer, which looks fantastic, and Biographies and Filmographies for Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Duke. We are also reminded that we can access more information on the talent through New Line's connection with the Internet Movie Database.
The packaging is standard New Line Snapper Case with glossy artwork and features the original one sheet art on the box cover as well as the top side of the Dual Layered DVD itself. "Deep Cover" is a great film that is still worth buying despite the disc's shortcomings and is the perfect companion disc to New Line's Platinum Series DVD of "The Corruptor," so what are you waiting for? Get off the net and preorder both of these DVDs now!
Mark A. Rivera - B+