Irreversible

DVD Rating: ***

Reviewed by: Merlin Harries

Read Keith Hennessey Brown's film review of Irreversible
Irreversible
"" | Photo: Powerhouse Films

Although the box indicates that both Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci contributed to the commentary we only seem to hear from the director Gasper Noé. The influence of Irreversible was felt throughout global cinema and Gasper leaves the viewer under no illusions as to the fact that he is a master of his craft. He gives a detailed and vivid account of even the most simplistic details that contributed to the film, a rich commentary that will leave even the most ardent fan satisfied.

Some of the other extra features let the package down somewhat, most notably the bizarre short film Intoxication starring Noé and fellow celluloid maestro Stephane Drouot. This takes the form of a deceptively long-winded discussion to a static camera and comes across as mundane and not entirely in keeping with the central feature. Alongside this, Noé takes the liberty of including some material on two Daft Punk music videos which, again, seem a little irrelevant.

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Ultimately the Collectors Edition is a slightly cynical cash-in on the ever-feverish DVD aficionado’s bottomless wallet and lust for extras. It adds little to what was and is one of the most original and thought-provoking films of our time. Noé makes up for the short-fall in real content through his sheer depth and breadth of knowledge on the filmmakers craft.

Reviewed on: 12 Dec 2006
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Irreversible packshot
Brutal story of a violent rape, told in reverse. Now out to own in special collectors edition.
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Product Code: TVD3458

Region: 2

Ratio: 16.9 widescreen

Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0

Extras: Audio Commentary with Noé, Intoxication: Short Film by Gaspar Noé, Le Rectum: Special Effects Featurette, Stress and Outrage: Noé


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