|
DVD REVIEW
Fight Club
(1999) Starring:
Brad Pit, Edward Norton, Helena B. Carter
Director: David Fincher
Rating: R
Review
Posted:
7.21.01
By
Kevin Kahler
Edward
Norton plays an insomniac who is addicted to Swedish furniture
and infomercials. Then one day, while searching for a way to get
some sleep, he discovers self-help groups. While attending these
sessions of woe and self-pity, people start to really listen to
him, and he is able to feel much better about his single,
work-controlled life (and allowing him to get some sleep).

Enter Marla
Singer (Carter), another "tourist" of the self help
group chain. He becomes obsessed with Marla and the calm and
collected manner she exudes while puffing on a cigarette and
ruining his life-affirming experiences at the meetings.
Then,
he meets the other important person in his life: Tyler Durden
(Pitt). Soon, the lead character's life is spinning out of
control in a spiral of blood, sweat, and anarchy, and he has to
find a way to stop himself (in more ways than one).
David Fincher grows better and better in his incredible
directing style with every film he makes. Se7en
was a haunting look into the brutal acts of a serial killer; The
Game was a haunting look into the mind of a rich business
tycoon's life who doesn't enjoy life (as he very well should)
because he can't get over the suicide of his father; and Fight
Club is a look into the mind of a man who is one of the
self-proclaimed "middle children of history," those
who work at the same mediocre suit-and-tie job every day just so
that the big suits at the top can make more money, the men who
are ready to revolt against society and find purpose in their
life, the men who would rather be God's worst enemy than
nothing.

Throughout
these films, and hopefully his next, due early next year,
Fincher has proved to be a revolutionary in the way of film
(yeah, I'm gonna ignore Alien 3). Fight Club
"teaches the philosophy that we should live and die by:
"ahhh, fuck it."
Simply
put, incredible. The slight green glossed over the whole film
just helps add the perfect viewpoint of the entire film, and
it's as clear as you could ever dream of.

Eardrum
bursting sound effects, heart thumping Dust Brothers electronic
score. Another beauty.

Commentary
with David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and (sort of)
Helena Bonham Carter
This
is a guy track, with Carter sounding like her bits were taken
from previous interviews (as she probably was, as it is quite
obvious she is not in the same room).
Brad
Pitt is a bad ass mofo (anybody who still thinks he's gay after
seeing this film and hearing the commentary should be shot), and
Edward Norton talks just like you would expect one of the only
talented modern actors to talk.
Commentary with author Chuck Palahniuk and screenwriter Jim
Uhls
If
you have read the original novel, Fight Club, then you
know that a lot of the awesome things in the film came from the
mind of the screenwriter, Jim Uhls. Uhls is very cool and so is
Palahniuk; great minds think alike. As these are both writers,
don't be expecting too much talking, but neither one is
self-centered, and they each give each other equal praise. There
are periods of silence in which you can just picture Chuck P.'s
eyes glazing over in delight as he watches his first published
novel on the screen (this guy was a construction worker making
shit pay less than ten years ago).

Commentary with David Fincher
Like
the first, but much more informative. Goddammit, this guy rules.
Technical Commentary
Just
a bunch of different guys involved in various aspects of the
film. The most informative track, but still surprisingly
enjoyable to listen to.
DISC 2:
Supplemental Features
17 Behind the Scenes Vignettes with Multiple Angles and
Commentary
Whoa!
Very in-depth look at the process of making this film. You
actually see tape of people (including Fincher) scouting
locations to shoot at. Again, you couldn't ask for very much
more.
Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
See
some great, downright hilarious scenes taken out of the film
(including Marla's original line used before the "grade
school" one).
Storyboards
Hot
damn!

Publicity Gallery
Jesus!
Hidden Fight Club merchandise catalog
My
brain is on fire!
...and a lot more!
If
you are one of the eight people who don't own this great DVD,
get 'yer ass out to the store right now and buy it!!!
|
THE MOVIE
|
10
|
|
THE VIDEO
|
10
|
|
THE AUDIO
|
10
|
|
THE EXTRAS
|
10
|
|
OVERALL
|
10
|
TOP
|