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Rushmore: The Criterion Collection
review by Zach B.
Rated R
Studio: Disney/Criterion
Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murrary, Olivia
Williams, Seymour Cassell, Brian Cox, Mason Gamble, Sara
Takana
Running Time: 93 Minutes
Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
Directed by Wes Anderson
Retail Price: 39.99
Features: Audio Commentary by Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson
and Jason Schwartzman, "The Making Of 'Rushmore'"
documentary, MTV Movie Awards Shorts: Armageddon, Out of
Sight and The Truman Show plus an introduction, "The Charlie
Rose Show" with Wes Anderson and Bill Murrary, Cast Audition
Footage, Wes Anderson's Hand Drawn Storyboards with a flim
to storyboard comparison, Graphics section, Theatrical
Trailer, Color Poster insert: A Map of Rushmore's key events
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, 5.1 Dolby
Digital English, English Captions, Chapter Search
Hot off the successful cult film "Bottle Rocket", Disney
made sure the duo of Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson would make
their next film for them. Anderson, director and co-writer,
and Wilson, co-writer, came up with "Rushmore", which, in my
opinion, is one of the best movies ever made (critics loved
it tremendously, but some of the audience did not feel the
same way). Rushmore did debut for one week in December of
1998 in New York (where I originally saw it) and Los Angeles
so it could be considered for the Academy Awards. It then
went to a more wide release during February 1999, where it
grossed a little over fifteen million dollars. Not bad,
considering "Bottle Rocket" made less then a million.
Disney then put "Rushmore" on video and a barebones DVD
on June 29th, 1999. The film, I think, deserved a lot more
in extras, as I was disappointed with that release (heck,
the plot summary on the back was really shallow). But my
prayers were answered (and I was really excited) when Disney
gave the movie to Criterion. If anyone could create a
definite release of such a fantastic film, Criterion would
be it. Finally, on January 18th, 2000, Criterion released
"Rushmore: The Criterion Collection". They did encounter a
little delay before, but let me tell you, it was worth the
wait.
For those unfamiliar story, Rushmore follows the story of
Max Fischer (Schwartzman), a sophomore at the elite Rushmore
Academy. Max is soon threatened with expulsion, due to him
failing all his classes. Max is also on scholarship. But
where Max does not succeed in school he does succeed in
everything else: Max soon meets up with Herman Blume
(Murray) The two become friends. Soon the madcap zaniness
begins, with nice sediment and zany comedy.but slowly become
enemies when they both fall for Rushmore's elegant first
grade and recently widowed teacher, Rosemary Cross (a
fantastic Olivia Willams).
As you can see below in the features section, this disc
is jammed pack with great things. The interactive menus are
creatively done in true style with the movie, and everything
fits perfectly together. The sound is obviously not so much
of a big budget movie, but the 5.1 track is excellent, as
the sound elements are crystal clear. The beauty of this
transfer really shows too - things are bright and pop out.
If you liked "Rushmore" just a little, this is a must own
disc.
Rushmore is presented in an anamorphic transfer, with the
aspect ratio being 2.35:1. This high definition transfer was
overlooked by Wes Anderson, Rushmore's co-writer and
director. The picture quality truly stands out - you really
don't notice any artifacts, scratches, or lines. Things just
come right at you, it's really easy to see and on the eyes.
This is a perfect example on how transfers should be done. A
scene early on in the movie, where Max meets with Cross for
the first time on bleachers near the school is a marvel to
look at. You can see all the detail, just everything. The
trees in the background, little things on their clothes,
it's just really nice. My compliments to Anderson and the
team who did the transfer.
A 5.1 Dolby Digita |