The Usual Suspects (1995)

Studio: MGM/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Theatrical Release: August 16, 1995
Blu Ray Release: May 10, 2011
R

Review by James Klein

"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

Arguably one of the best crime films ever made, this is the film that started the recent trend of "twist" endings. Now, MGM has re-released the blu ray of The Usual Suspects in a beautiful digibook for collectors. Now while the digibook comes with beautiful photographs and cast breakdown as well as some articles, the main reason for grabbing this blu ray off the shelf if you don't already own it is for the film itself.

This low budget sleeper hit released at the end of summer in 1995 (has it been 16 years already???) became almost a cult hit as word of mouth got the film the attention it deserved. I remember watching this film in college numerous times with friends and classmates as we picked apart every little detail, every camera movement, certain lines of dialogue spoken, even the color scheme. The film was like a film student textbook as this was the movie ever student wanted to make. Director Bryan Singer was the talk of the school and we all were jealous with envy over this young director making such an incredible film. Christopher McQuarrie's screenplay is now legendary, considered one of the best written crime stories ever made into a film. The cast is perfect and work so well together on screen that the film could have been a failure if the film was casted differently.

Discussing the plot to this film would be like discussing the plot of Citizen Kane, Star Wars, or E.T. as almost everyone has seen The Usual Suspects. If for any reason you haven't, shame on you. Stop reading this now and go see it. Leave now and don't come back until you have.

The Usual Suspects looks great on blu ray but I was more impressed with the sound. The dialogue is crystal clear and the gun shots and explosions rocked my sound system, once even making my dog jump from her bed to take cover in the other room. The presentation of the film has never looked or sounded better. If you are still holding on to your VHS tape or old DVD, it is time for an upgrade. If I have any complaints at all is that this digibook is a bare bones blu ray. Sure, you get a great film in a really cool package with some nice reading material regarding the film but the audio commentary by the film makers is not here which I found one of the best audio commentaries I have ever heard. So for you fans that like a lot of special features, you may want to stick with your old DVD.

MGM has re-issued one of the best films to have come out of the 1990's on blu ray. Watching The Usual Suspects again, it remains one of my all time favorite films. I wish I could go into more detail but I don't want to ruin the film or the now classic ending for those of you who have yet to see it. Plus, I don't want to upset Keyser Soze.