Introduction
I find that most action films fall into two categories. Those that take themselves too seriously and those that don't. Con Air from Touchstone Home Video is definitely one of those that don't. That may well be this film's strongest attribute. Nicolas Cage stars as an Army Airborne Ranger sent to prison for killing a scumbag in a fight defending his wife. How else can you get an honest man in prison? When Cage is paroled from the prison in California, he is to be transported back to his home in Alabama onboard a special US Marshall's aircraft used to transport some of the most dangerous criminals. When the convicts, lead by psycho-cum-laude John Malkovich, take over the plane in an escape attempt, Cage gets caught in the middle. Though this sounds like standard action fare, Con Air is done with such style and panache that I found it to be one of the very best action films I have seen. Nick Cage has the "laid back southern boy" down cold and the rest of the convict crazies seem to revel in their criminal insanity. This is about as fun as hyper-violent action films get.
DVD Edition
Touchstone's new DVD edition of Con Air is a virtually flawless disc. The transfer is extremely clean with beautifully saturated color. Image detail is exceptional. Contrast and brightness are also excellent. Filmed in Panavision, this letterboxed transfer is properly framed at 2.35:1. In a time when dazzling DVD video has become commonplace, this DVD edition of Con Air is right up there with the best of them.
Soundtrack
The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is everything one would expect from a high energy film such as this. The mix is very active with almost constant activity in the surround channels. The resulting effect is one of complete immersion in a virtually 3-dimensional soundfield. So intense is the soundtrack at times, it left me almost gasping for breath. With dynamic range to burn and a low end that will rearrange the furniture, this is one you crank up at your own peril (and your sound system's).
Additional Content
Con Air runs 115 exhausting minutes. The disc contains 18 chapters accessible from the menu. Touchstone has also included the original theatrical trailer and a very good teaser trailer. I recommend the teaser before watching the film to set the mood. List price is $29.98.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Con Air is an action film that strikes the perfect balance between entertainment and not taking itself too seriously. With captivating performances, stylish direction, and intense action sequences, it stands out as one of the best in its genre. The DVD edition enhances the viewing experience with its flawless picture quality and immersive surround sound. Fans of action films will surely find Con Air to be a worthy addition to their collection.
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