The Usual Suspects: Special Edition DVD Review – UK

When twenty-seven bodies are discovered aboard a burnt-out ship in Long Beach Harbour, the sole survivor begins to tell a story that may - or may not - explain everything.

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When twenty-seven bodies are discovered aboard a burnt-out ship in Long Beach Harbour, the sole survivor begins to tell a story that may - or may not - explain everything.

Runtime

1 Hour 42 Minutes

BBFC rating

Region

Region 2

Sound

Dolby Digital 5.1

Aspect

2.35:1

Details

The film opens with the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion aboard a ship in San Pedro. Twenty-seven bodies are recovered. Millions of dollars' worth of cocaine is nowhere to be found. The authorities have only one coherent witness - a small-time con man with a limp and a nervous disposition: Roger "Verbal" Kint.

What follows is a masterclass in unreliable narration. Through Verbal's interrogation by U.S. Customs agent Dave Kujan, we are taken back to a seemingly routine police line-up involving five hardened criminals. From that point on, alliances form, jobs escalate and a shadow looms over everything - the mythical, almost folkloric crime lord Keyser Söze.

Is Söze real? A fabrication? A boogeyman invented to frighten small-time crooks? As Verbal spins his tale, the story grows increasingly intricate, weaving together deception, loyalty, greed and fear. The beauty of the film lies in how confidently it allows you to think you understand what is happening - right up until you don't.

Kevin Spacey's performance as Verbal is central to the film's success. His meek, wide-eyed delivery contrasts sharply with Gabriel Byrne's brooding ex-cop Keaton and Benicio Del Toro's near-incomprehensible yet oddly charismatic Fenster. The ensemble works beautifully together, creating a believable band of criminals who are both ruthless and darkly amusing.

Picture & Sound

The 2.35:1 transfer is impressive, maintaining strong detail even during the darker warehouse and night-time sequences. The muted, noir-inspired palette is handled well, though the occasional dust scratch makes a brief appearance. Nothing major, and certainly not enough to distract from the film's careful construction.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is dialogue-driven for the most part, but the surround channels come alive during the explosive set pieces and gunfire sequences. Dialogue remains clean and precise in the centre channel, and there is no need to adjust the volume mid-scene - always a good sign.

Menu & Extras

The menus are stylishly animated and scored, evoking a tone not unlike Se7en. Navigation could be more intuitive, but presentation-wise it sets the mood effectively.

Where the original Polygram release was barren, this Special Edition is positively generous. Two commentary tracks grace the main disc - one with editor John Ottman, the other with Bryan Singer and Christopher McQuarrie - both offering fascinating insight into the film's construction. The inclusion of a French 5.1 soundtrack reduces space for extras on disc one, but the decision to move the bulk of supplementary material to a second disc proves wise.

Disc Two is packed. Featurettes such as "Keyser Soze: Lie or Legend" and "Round Up: Deposing the Usual Suspects" dig into the mythology and production, while deleted scenes and a gag reel provide lighter moments. A word of warning, however: if you've never seen the film, avoid these extras until after your first viewing. Spoilers are not handled delicately.

Overall

The Usual Suspects remains a modern noir classic - cleverly constructed, superbly acted and endlessly quotable. Kevin Spacey's meek, wide-eyed Verbal anchors the film, playing vulnerability and misdirection in equal measure. He is perfectly counterbalanced by Gabriel Byrne's brooding ex-cop Keaton and Benicio Del Toro's near-incomprehensible yet strangely magnetic Fenster. The ensemble chemistry is superb, making this band of criminals both believable and darkly entertaining.

If you already own the original Polygram release, this MGM Special Edition is a substantial upgrade. In fact, you may wish to retire the old disc entirely - perhaps as a rather stylish beer mat. Then sit back, explore the extras and prepare to groan at just how much you missed the first time around. Priceless.