The Film
It's hard to believe that filmmakers aren't clamoring to put Woody Harrelson into every movie. Maybe they are. If not, Rampart will make them want Woody on speed dial.
Harrelson stars as Dave Brown, a cop trying to live with 24 years of bad decisions. Of course, he lives just fine, in a house with his two kids and two ex-wives (Anne Heche and Cynthia Nixon) -- who also happen to be sisters. Lately though, it seems like everyone else has a problem with Officer Brown's methods, and it's really starting to cramp his lifestyle.
With the exception of the sisters thing, Rampart sounds pretty much like every cop movie ever made. It does follow some of the formula and is far from the best of that genre. However, this time Harrelson is driving the bus, and what a huge difference that makes.
In fact, he's so powerful in the role, it's easy to miss the insane amount of cameos in this movie. Heche, Nixon, Steve Buscemi, Ben Foster, Robin Wright, Ned Beatty, Sigourney Weaver, Brie Larson, and Ice Cube are all blips in the movie. It doesn't really matter, though. It's Harrelson's movie and thank goodness -- because it has plenty of imperfections that you won't really notice due to his excellent performance.
Director Oren Moverman has tapped into something great for his second directorial effort. That great thing is Harrelson. The two previously worked together on Moverman's debut, The Messenger, and he obviously knows a good thing when he sees it. The direction, the style and L.A. Confidential writer James Ellroy's script are all just fine. However, it's Harrelson that makes Rampart worth repeated viewings.
The Picture
Rampart is a very gritty looking film and there is a slight bit of noise in some of the darker scenes. That said, the 2.35:1 transfer is a winner. Despite the low budget, this release is full of surprises. It's sharp with a good amount of detail, especially on faces and in the film's many close-ups. It should also be noted that the black levels are especially strong, which lend a lot to the film's style. Other colors look good, too. Viewers won't be disappointment with this one.
The Sound
Like the image, the Dolby TrueHD audio is filled with a lot of surprises -- and some may shake you out of your seat. Right from the beginning, it's obvious that this track is going to have a lot to say. There are a ton of street sounds to immerse you in the film. From there, ambient noise lingers throughout the soundfield. It all sounds wonderful, and there's even one club scene that should let you know that your subwoofer is working properly. Even with so much going though, the film never misses one word of dialogue. It's a nice overall track.
The Extras
Rampart's main menu lists a lone "featurette." However, it's a full 30 minutes and features most of the cast and crew from the movie. It's not anything you're going to want to watch repeatedly, but it is a step above to typical promotional vehicle, with all of the major players talking about the movie, the cast, and other parts of the production.
It should also be noted that Millennium Entertainment has released two versions of this Blu-ray. There's a single-disc version and a 2-disc set that's bundled with a standard-def DVD and a Digital Copy of the film.
Final Thoughts
Hollywood, are you listening? Start hiring Woody Harrelson for more gigs, please. The guy can do comedy, drama and even zombies. He also elevates Rampart above the typical bad cop movie, and that really says something. Millennium Entertainment also deserves some credit for creating such a pleasurable Blu-ray. Book this one, Danno.
Product Details
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