Review of Seven (2 disc set)

Introduction

Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die.

That tagline sets the mood for this stylish thriller about a serial killer on the loose who terrorises a city with horrific murders related to the seven deadly sins. Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and Mills (Brad Pitt) are the two cops hot on the killer`s tail - but are they the cat, or are they the mouse?

This is best described as a crime thriller, but possesses more substance than your average cops & robbers outing. Freeman and Pitt add a lot of depth to their characters, making them genuine people who not only have a job to do in stopping the killer before they kill again, but also a moral obligation. Gwyneth Paltrow backs them up as Mills` wife, and even Richard Roundtree is involved - as a senior police officer overseeing the investigation. But the best performance, and the most complex character, comes in the form of the killer. This film contains one hell of a climax, that`s all I can say...

Video

It is presented in 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, and the print has been remastered for the DVD release. The visuals are deep and well defined, with the colour tones just right, and there are no compression signs visible. The transfer is free from dust and grain, it is constantly crisp and clear, and overall this oozes quality.

This is a David Fincher production. Fincher means intelligent directing, well-executed set-pieces and a visceral tone throughout. And yes, Se7en delivers this is bucket-loads. The vast, nameless city in the film is one of the most important actors in a sense - its bleak, rainy nature defines the film, and adds an extra grimy layer to the already-soiled canvas.

Audio

A choice of DTS 6.1 EX or DD 5.1 EX tracks are on offer, with the preference being with the slightly more atmospheric DTS track. In both, the surrounds are used excellently, to add extra ambience and tension. The main audio stream is crisp and clear, and the dialogue is delivered well, with no compression signs evident. Again, this has been remastered for the DVD release, and again, it shows. There is also a backup DD 2.0 track for Stereo viewers.

The script, penned by Andrew Kevin Walker, is unique and provocative, and investigates the meaning of life, or to be more exact - the meaning of death. A good example of this occurs towards the end of the film, after Somerset asks the killer why he chose his victims:

Only in a world this s***ty can you say those people were innocent.

Features

The feature clocks in at 122 minutes. The extras clock in at 163 minutes. So far, so good...

Disc One boasts not one, but four audio commentaries, the first entitled "The Stars" - containing Fincher, Freeman and Pitt. This focuses on the production of Se7en, and is interesting and insightful. Then there is "The Story" - Richard Dyer analyzes the cop-thriller genre whilst Fincher, Walker, editor Richard Francis-Bruce and New Line president Michael De Luca discuss the script and project history. Again, interesting, and again, well worth a listen. Next there is "The Picture" - Dyer, Fincher, Bruce, director of photography Darius Khondji and production designer Arthur Max take a look at the visual side of the film. Yet again, worth a listen. Finally, we have "The Sound" - a mix between an isolated score and a commentary. It contains the sound mix presented in 5.1 form with commentary from Dyer, Fincher, composer Howard Shore and sound designer Ren Klyce.

Disc Two begins with a look at the opening title sequence, allowing you to compare storyboards and a rough cut to the final print. Interesting to hear what can only be described as guerilla techniques in order to achieve the final product!

The deleted scenes are really just extended takes - but they do show how an extended sequence can change one`s perceptions of an entire scene. They are all presented with a commentary by Fincher himself.

The alternate ending is a cross between the test screening ending, animated storyboards and an unshot ending - all with commentary from Fincher. Again, they add little, but are good to see how the ending evolved.

There are four sections of production stills, from the crime scenes to the on-set snaps. Each section contains a commentary from the photographer, but this can get a little tedious - after all it is just a wad of static pages.

Now, things get a little weird. We now have "The Notebooks" - the ones used in the film, with a commentary from the guys who spliced it all together. Prepare to venture into a world that they imagine the killer lives in...

Ah, it was inevitable - after all, PR fluff always creeps onto DVD, and this makes no exception. First up we have the usual trailers (they`re actually pretty well done), and then a PR featurette that was on the original Se7en DVD. It is a 7 minute look at behind-the-scenes, with the shortest soundbites you`ll swear they`re taking the p***.

Next there is a documentary come insider-look at how the DVD was made, involving visual and audio remastering. Interesting, but prepare for a lot of technical jargon.

Finally, we have filmographies - static CV`s of the main players.

The menus are animated well, with clips from the film spliced together with atmospheric music in the background.

Se7en is presented on a New Line Collector`s Edition DVD, supplied in a black Amaray case, with 2 disc holders, and an 8-page booklet containing chapter listings, extra material information and advertising for other releases.

Conclusion

Se7en really defines `film noir` - its dark, creeping atmosphere blends with a psychological mindtrip into the deepest recesses of the human mind, and comes out on the otherside, drenched in cold sweat.

The performances are superb - especially Freeman, and even Pitt packs a punch as the young detective. As mentioned earlier, the killer steals the film though, for obvious reasons. The script is good, and no, it does not descend into cliché-ridden hell.

However, it does have the odd flaw. For instance, some may say this is more of a CSI (crime scene investigation - aka forensic) film rather than an all-out thriller, so yes, if you are looking for set-piece after set-piece, this ain`t for you. But, due to its dark, brooding atmosphere, this is a great change from the norm.

Disc wise, this is great presentation wise - a landmark in DVD releases, and a testament to the dedication of the DVD department over at New Line. The extras are comprehensive, and the commentaries are in-depth, but a making-of is needed, as the EPK fluff just doesn`t cut the mustard, and the other features are good, but some ground is left uncovered.

The price you can get this for now, and the quality of the DVD, means there is no excuse not to place this next to the other titles in one`s collection. Trust me, it`ll be worth it...