MovieFreak.com - "S.W.A.T." Special Edition DVD Review

An arrested drug kingpin is transported by a Los Angeles Police Department SWAT team led by Jackson's character out of the city and into federal custody. Plans go awry when the kingpin offers $100 million to anyone who can free him. Thanks to IMDB.

A big screen version of S.W.A.T. has been in development for several years, but it wasn't until 2002 when production began. One could assume the project wasn't ready because of a script, though I doubt that's the case. Instead, the producers probably had a hard time casting all the major parts, or perhaps it was simply an old Hollywood issue, the budget. Whatever the case might've been, S.W.A.T. hit theatres this past summer. It performed well with about a $116 million domestic gross, although it wasn't a solid film.

My major argument against S.W.A.T. is the script. Ron Mita and Jim McClain received story credit, but I'm inclined to think the producers were looking at their script early on in the project's history. The screenplay is by David Ayer and David McKenna, one of which most likely scripted a revision. In any case, the script does not have much of a story. Almost the entire first half of the script is spent on introductions and training. The second half then moves into semi-story mode by setting up the pivotal plot thread; the transportation of the kingpin. The film's last thirty minutes is an elaborate chase through the streets of LA, an underground subway station, sewage tunnels, and a shootout on the 6th street bridge. The good thing about all this is a sense of excitement and fun. On the surface, S.W.A.T. is an entertaining action picture.

However, a few flaws exist on the inside. First, the story is too thin. Too much time is spent on the intros. Some scenes do a good job of fleshing out the characters, but there is not enough story to build around them. The story is also not wholly supportive of the action. On the other hand, I just remembered one thing: these characters are SWAT officers and usually they have to plunge into total chaos and inescapable situations. Sometimes there is no satisfying story to support their actions. In that respect, the story is feasible, but that doesn't mean I care about it.

Another flaw is the kingpin, played by Olivier Martinez. He's just a typical bad guy the audience knows nothing about, yet he's the centerpiece of all the turmoil. His grandiose offer to anyone who can free him is a nice touch, but when several purported gangs appear with machine guns while SWAT is on the move is making it a little too convenient. However, considering the key person behind the assault, the ambush sequence makes more sense. Moreover, S.W.A.T. offers up a sort of twist in the middle of the film's second half. I wouldn't call it predictable per se, just more typical. It's not a bad thing, just an small observation on my part.

With that said, S.W.A.T. is full of exciting action stuff. Director Clark Johnson and crew stage the action sequences rather well, and coordination, as well as execution, seems top notch. Giving the film added juice is the cinematography by Gabriel Beristain, the editing by Michael Tronick and the cool sound design that creates a heightened action experience along with the visuals. The actors also do a pretty good job looking their part. In the end, S.W.A.T. is entertaining, nothing more and nothing less. I would've liked something with more story and purpose, but I realize the film is a summer blockbuster after all.

Columbia presents S.W.A.T. in 1.33:1 fullscreen format. Please note that I was sent the fullscreen version instead of the widescreen so I can only comment on half the picture. This film looks pretty ugly in fullscreen. The quality of the color, detail and print is good, mind you. It's an overall good presentation, although one can't expect much from fullscreen. I didn't notice any compression artifacts although a few instances of grain appeared. Other than that not many flaws exist.

Fullscreen DVDs should be burned. It's really a waste of resources. I don't understand the mentality of people who "don't like the black bars". At least in widescreen one can see the "whole" picture. Anyway, enough rambling on about that subject.

S.W.A.T. looks good in terms of quality, but not in terms of the aspect ratio.

Columbia presents S.W.A.T. in English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. This is a terrific presentation for several reasons. Sound design reaches across the soundfield to the rear speakers and back, making for a very nice 360 degrees sound experience. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. Sound effects are sharp and loud. Also, dynamic range gives this presentation cool ambience. Another solid job from Sony.

Even though I'm reviewing the fullscreen edition, the extras are the same for both editions.

The special features menu starts off with two audio commentaries. The first one is by director Clark Johnson and cast members (Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J, Brian Van Holt, Jeremy Renner, Josh Charles). Johnson was recorded separately, and offers the better and more dominating commentary with several good insights, technical information and stories from the production. The actors mainly just goof around and almost nothing is learned from their comments.

The second commentary is by screenwriters David McKenna and David Ayer, and "story credit" writers Ron Mita and Jim McClain. Their comments are more talkative and interesting, especially when they discuss the process of writing and getting it done in Hollywood.

Next are four featurettes. First is Anatomy of a Shootout, an informative and revealing 9-minute look at the making of the film's opening bank robbery sequence. Next is S.W.A.T. - TVs Original Supercops, a 7-minute piece on the original show that was cancelled after only one season. It features clips and interviews by two of the show's players. Making-of S.W.A.T. is a more elaborate and comprehensive featurette on the making of the film. Running some 21 minutes, it features film clips in widescreen, interviews in fullscreen, and revealing on-set footage. Topics of discussion are casting, training, weapons, and a few other things. Lastly, 6th Street Bridge is a 5-minute look detailing the achievement of landing a plane on a bridge. Interview subjects narrate the featurette as it shows on-set footage and CGI progression of the plane.

Sounds of S.W.A.T. is a nice collection of brief segments covering the film's sound design, as well as several "scene breakdowns" with multiple audio options, and demonstrations of weapons used in the film, such as the MP5 and AK-47. Pretty neat stuff. The 3-minute gag reel is a disappointment as it is mostly unfunny. Also included are eight deleted scenes, some of which add a little more background to the characters, but their deletion is obvious.

Filmographies of the four major stars are also included. Last but not least are an assortment of bonus trailers featuring Bad Boys II, TV Action Favorites, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Radio, Underworld and Big Fish. There are also a few tiny DVD-ROM features.

There's a funny easter egg on the second page of the special features menu. Click on the logo of Jackson's hat to watch a 7-minute reel of the cast and crew S.W.A.T. Golf Tournament. In this spoof two subdued narrators call the plays of highlights from the match. It's pretty funny and edited nicely.

You can select to view the film with optional English and French subtitles. The 117-minute feature is organized into twenty-eight chapters.

S.W.A.T. is an entertaining action picture, nothing more and nothing less. One flaw is the story is a bit lacking, but the film is exciting and moves on a good pace. Video looks good, audio sounds terrific, and the extras are satisfying. A purchase of the widescreen edition would be a good choice for action fans. For anyone else I recommend a rental.

THE MOVIE	7
THE VIDEO	7
THE AUDIO	9
THE EXTRAS	8
OVERALL (not an average)	7