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The Truman Show
review by Zach B.
Rated PG
Starring: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris
Written by Andrew Niccol
Directed by Peter Weir
Retail Price: 29.99
Features: Theatrical Trailers
Specs: 1.85:1 Non Anamorphic Widescreen, English 5.1
Dolby Digital, English Captions, Chapter Search
What if you lived every single day of your life on
television, but you didn't know it? That's the concept of
"The Truman Show", a box office hit which many thought was
snubbed of some major awards at Oscar time (namely Jim
Carrey's brilliant performance). I felt this movie was a bit
overrated, but please don't get me wrong, I think this movie
is very well executed and shows the evils of manipulation
and exploitation.
Carrey is Truman Burbank, a man who leads a normal life.
He has a job, a loving wife, a family and a very friendly
community. Yet what Truman does not know is that it's all
fake, and that his town is really a massive Hollywood
studio. He is monitored every single second of the day, and
all of it broadcast live to a worldwide audience. There are
cameras in his bathroom, car, all over his town. Yet one
day, when a stage light falls out the sky, Truman begins to
wonder, to question, which will lead him to deep revelations
about his life and what exactly is going on. Yet watching
every move is the mysterious Christof (Ed Harris, who is top
notch here), the creator and director of the program.
"The Truman Show" is filled with some laughs, but the
dramatic aspects of it really overpower it. Peter Weir's
direction is very good, making this seem quite real, and
Andrew Niccol's script is very sharp. The musical score fits
perfectly and is really catchy, and the performances are top
notch. The film brings up very good points about using
others and manipulation. While I feel this film was a bit
too overpraised, it's still a very good film and deserves to
be in anyone's collection.
"The Truman Show" is presented in non-anamorphic
widescreen, with an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 (Weir's perferred
aspect ratio). It's a very nice transfer. Detail is very
solid, and the colors are nice, but I felt they were a bit
unsaturated at times. It's too bad this movie was one of the
earlier Paramount titles, and is not 16x9 enhanced. I did
notice an artifact now and then, too.
The movie has a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, in addition to
Dolby Surround in English and French. The 5.1 track is
decent. The movie is pretty much dialogue driven, but there
are some effects now and then which make it above average.
There are some loud noises, ocean wave crashes and the
beautiful musical score which really make it come to life.
Paramount is never too good in this sections, usually
providing very basic materials. Here you'll find two
theatrical trailers, one a teaser and the other a full one.
It's quite a shame too, I would have really loved a
commentary. This movie deserves more.
This disc makes up for it all in presentation, though
it's too bad the extras are lacking. A very good movie which
is worthy to be in your video library, "The Truman Show"
delivers in the end.
 (4/5, NOT included in
final score)
(4/5)
 (3.5/5)
 (1/5)
 (3/5,
NOT an average)
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