Release Date:
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Skinny: When a meek, stuttering orphan (Edward Norton) is accused of murdering a Catholic priest, a suave defense attorney (Richard Gere) is put to the test. Sounds pretty basic, huh? If not for a performance that put Norton on the map back in 1998, it would have been.
The Good: This seems like an odd movie to re-release, but we're happy they've done it. The original late-'90s disc was typical of, well, late-'90s discs. It had a movie, and that's it. This new "Hard Evidence Edition" finally puts together a decent well of special features, and a new remastering of the film. If you haven't seen it in a while, this is a good reason to.
The Bad: The movie's not really greater than the sum of its parts. Gere is better than usual, and Norton is unbelievable, but the story itself feels a little Law and Order in a lot of places. And you've probably had the twist spoiled for you by now anyway.
Best Extra: "Primal Fear: Star Witness", because the focus is on the movie's strongest point: Norton.
Buy, Rent, or Ignore: A rental.
The Good: This seems like an odd movie to re-release, but we're happy they've done it. The original late-'90s disc was typical of, well, late-'90s discs. It had a movie, and that's it. This new "Hard Evidence Edition" finally puts together a decent well of special features, and a new remastering of the film. If you haven't seen it in a while, this is a good reason to.
The Bad: The movie's not really greater than the sum of its parts. Gere is better than usual, and Norton is unbelievable, but the story itself feels a little Law and Order in a lot of places. And you've probably had the twist spoiled for you by now anyway.
Best Extra: "Primal Fear: Star Witness", because the focus is on the movie's strongest point: Norton.
Buy, Rent, or Ignore: A rental.