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Click above to purchase "Snatch: Special Edition" at
amazon.com
Snatch
Special Edition
review by Zach B.
Rated R
Studio: Columbia/Tri-Star
Running Time: 103 minutes
Starring Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Farina, Vinnie
Jones, Brad Pitt, Rade Sherbedgia, Jason Statham
Written and Directed by Guy Ritchie
Retail Price: $26.95
Features:
Disc 1 - Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Guy Ritchie
and Producer Matthew Vaughn, Stealing Stones
Disc 2 - Making Snatch featurette, Deleted Scenes with
Optional Commentary, Storyboard Comparisons, Video Photo
Gallery, U.S. TV Spots, Filmographies, Production Notes
Insert, Theatrical Trailers. DVD-ROM: Weblinks
Specs: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.33:1 Full
Frame, English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround,
Dolby French Surround, English Closed Captions, English
Subtitles, French Subtitles, Pikey Subtitles, Scene
Selections (28 Chapters), Two-Disc Set
Released: July 3rd, 2001
It can be argued that Guy Ritchie's latest film,
"Snatch", is nothing more than a rehash of his brilliant
first film, that being the cult favorite "Lock, Stock and
Two Smoking Barrels" that was released in the United States
well over two years ago as of writing this. True, they are
similar in nature as far as characters and plotlines can go,
but I think there are enough differences within the film
that really do make them stand on their own (there's even a
nice easter egg that Ritchie talking about both films and
their differences). Each are fun, action-packed madcap
adventures that definantly are great ways to pass the time
that you'll want to experience over and over again.
"Snatch" is a movie that intertwines nicely filled with
various twists and turns that may confuse viewers here and
there, but not too much. This enjoyable flick has thief
Franky Four Fingers (Benicio Del Toro) stealing a what seems
to be flawless and large diamond. However, things happen and
from there a lot more things happen. There's a lot to this
plot and I don't want to give it away as I don't want to
spoil the mvie, but there's a load of fantastic characters
that get involved in a lot of stuff that leads to a pretty
interesting climax and finale.
I really loved "Snatch" as there is so much to really
like about this film. Once again, Guy Ritchie assembles a
top notch cast, this one complete with a few well known
stars. Benicio Del Toro as Franky Four Fingers is a small
role, but he's quite good in it. Dennis Farina is great as
usual while Vinnie Jones returns to Guy Ritchie's universe
delivering a fantastic performance. I really, really liked
Jason Statham's performance a lot, as he also returns to
Ritchie's world. However, Brad Pitt does a really hilarious
job as everyone's favorite pikey who speaks with a funny
accent that works really well with the character. However, I
will say there are plenty of times where you can get the
jist of what he's saying. Still, it's fun. A great cast that
brings the film to life who all have good chemistry with one
another.
The film also goes on to show off Guy Ritchie's great
directing skills, and I think he has improved his style over
"Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". I really thought
"Lock, Stock" was incredibly stylish and well made, so I was
really glad to see that Ritchie has grown a bit as a
filmmaker. It's even more impressive in that sense. The way
he moves the camera and uses it as a character, rather than
a tool is pretty amazing. The pans, the quick pauses and a
variety of turns are really cool and a marvel to watch. I
really like how at the start the way he introduces the
characters. True, people will be quick to compare him to
other new generation filmmakers, his sense though and what
he "copies" blends really nicely. The editing style is also
really nice and is perfect for the film. This is a slick and
really polished movie and it shows. After seeing "Lock,
Stock" I knew Ritchie has quite a career ahead of him, and
after watching "Snatch" is just further proves it.
Ritchie also wrote the movie, and he has one fantastic
script that is quite his own and unique. Once again, he sets
up some oddball, fun and really different characters that we
may not be so used to seeing. He creates a plot packed with
bizzare situations and scenarios complete with great
dialogue that in the end... works really well. Basically,
this movie just starts and doesn't stop. It has some truly
inspired moments, lines and laughs. So add this with fine
acting, a nice quirky musical score that blends in and some
great visuals and you have yourself a fine film which you've
probably never experienced before. It's a great heist film
all around that I think everyone should check out.
The first disc of "Snatch" contains the actual film in
two different presentations. You can choose to watch it in
1.33:1 full frame or 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. Of
course, go with the widescreen as there is some cropping in
the full frame transfer. The transfers, however, are really
good. There is a thin line of grain at times, as well as
some scratches, dirt and blemishes that appear on the print
at times. These are never really distracting. Some noise and
shimmering is also apparent. The muddy and subdued color
palette looks really nice with good saturation, while black
levels and detail are rather good. The image can be a little
soft at times, but overall I found it to be pretty sharp. No
matter what aspect ratio you chose, you won't be
disappointed.
"Snatch" features a pretty rocking Dolby Digital 5.1 mix
that is sure to please. There's a lot of nice surrounds
featured in the film that come to life with this track. I
was quite surprised how good it really sounds. From Avi
flying back and forth with the jet, to the boxing scenes and
the crowd roarings, there's a lot on this track to light up
your speakers. .1 LFE is pretty fantastic if I do say so
myself, and the more action packed scenes such as guns
riochiting and clicking sound give a nice boost to this
track. There's plenty of stuff to immerse yourself in here.
Also included are English and French Dolby Surround tracks,
plus English, French and Pikey subtitles. The English
subtitles do give clear meaning of what Brad Pitt says while
the Pikey subtitles give clear meaning and pop up only when
Pitt says something. Though you can usually understand what
he says, this kind of ruins the whole joke. Oh well.
On the first of the two discs, we find the U.K. version
of the film as well as a Audio Commentary with
Writer/Director Guy Ritchie and Producer Matthew Vaughn.
The two guys here are very relaxed and it seems that they
are good friends. They have nice accents but this is a kind
of commentary that's fun, entertaining and even boasts some
interesting technical information. There are good tidbits
and good comments and isn't too dry, which I really liked.
It's a good mix of things just like the movie, much like the
movie. Fans of the movie will want to listen to this, it's
worth their time.
Stealing Stones is yet another "click the symbol
when it appears on screen and you'll see a deleted scene".
I'm becoming less and less a fan of these. I prefer a whole
seamless extended or director's cut of the movie rather then
clicking on an icon to see a deleted scene. What annoys me
with these those how long it takes to access them and then
go back to the movie. But what really annoys me is how it's
not the same quality of the film. The deleted scenes are in
full frame and have that "British" frame rate to them.
Still, you don't have to watch the movie like this
thankfully. The scenes can be accessed on the second disc
under the Deleted Scenes section, complete with
optional commentary. It's pretty clear why they are cut,
Vaughn and Ritchie offer their comments anyhow.
So disc two... there is a nice twenty-five minute piece
entitled Making Snatch, complete in anamorphic
widescreen. Basically, Ritchie talks to about making the
film as there are clips from the movie, behind-the-scenes
footage of making the film and a slew of interviews the cast
and crew and their thoughts on the film as well as making
it. This is pretty informative and candid, as it does offer
a lot of things on the film. It's really well made and not
really promotional either which is always a good thing.
Don't miss it.
I already mentioned the deleted scenes, so on to the
Storyboard Comparisons. Three of these you can check
out: "Introduction of characters", "Avi goes to London" and
"The big fight". You can either view a split screen of the
film and the storyboards or just the storyboards. Quite
nice, so enjoy.
The Video Photo Gallery is essentially a
photograph montage of stills from the film and the
behind-the-scenes shooting. It lasts five minutes and
fifteen seconds.
The disc has Three U.S. TV Spots,
Filmographies and finally, a load of Theatrical
Trailers. The "Snatch" U.S. trailer is in anamorphic
widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital, the "Snatch" U.K. teaser
is anamorphic widescreen and two channel sound, "Go" is in
non-anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital, "Dogma" is
in full frame and two channel sound, "The Professional" is
in full frame and two channel sound, "The Lady From
Shanghai" is in full frame and two channel sound, "Dr.
Strangelove" is in full frame and two channel sound and
finally the upcoming "John Carpenter's Ghosts Of Mars" in
anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital. There's also
some Weblinks and production notes and pictures in
the keep case insert.
Also, there are a LOAD of easter eggs to find... just
click around. Some are not so obvious and they are good
secrets which are pretty interesting. Happy hunting!
"Snatch" may have taken cues from other popular films,
but it's still a load of fun complete with a nice story. The
film's presentation is top notch and there are some nice
extras and easter eggs, though I felt there could have been
more. This is a film everyone should really see as I think
people will have a great time watching this one. Enjoy!
 (4/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4.5/5)
(4/5)
 (3.5/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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