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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.85:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Audio commentary
  • Cast/crew biographies
  • Photo gallery
  • Animated menus
  • Music video
  • Behind the scenes footage
  • TV spot
Stickmen
Universal/Universal . R4 . COLOR . 94 mins . MA15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

The likes of Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino have a lot to answer for. In the wake of their own phenomenal success, they've inspired a whole slew of young filmmakers to put their own wet dreams on film, and not always with the best results. The problem is, their vision is more often than not an uninspired clone or heavily borrowed vision of the said Tarantino and Ritchie vehicles. It's becomes very clear that all they've done is changed the names and the hip, smart dialogue.

But... even though this is exactly the kind of criticism that was levelled at films such as Love, Honour and Obey (the Jude Law rip-off of Lock, Stock..) to me what it comes down to in the end is "Did it make me laugh?"

Stickmen follows the exploits of three young friends in New Zealand. Jack, Wayne and Thomas are simple likeable blokes who enjoy a good drunk, eating fush en chups, funcy sux wuth the girls and love playing pool at their favourite pub. It's their talent for the game (and the desperation of the bar owner to repay a debt) that gets them an invite to play in the local mob run pool tournament where they face some heavy (and strange) competition while trying to win the grand prize without losing their balls (if you know what I mean).

So as I was saying, "Did it make me laugh?" Yup, it sure dud. Cacked myself in some places, actually. It's not a great film, and it labours heavily under the weight of not being original and sharp enough, but it has a bit of fun and puts the odd smile on your face.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

Even if the film isn't the greatest ever made, they've put a lot of effort into the actual dvd. Starting with the video, we have a good clean picture with strong blacks contrasting with sickly fleshtones and deep greens/browns. Fine grain shows up in the darker areas but looks the part in the picture, while detail is high and generally sharp with some slight edge enhancement and minor aliasing visible. The use of a nice 448kbps DD5.1 mix plays up the soundtrack and dialogue well. Clarity is it's strongest point, with very clear vocals, some slight but effective use of the surrounds and a nice open airy feel to it all. It's also good to see the menu system utilises DD5.1 throughout, as well.

They've also pulled the finger out in regards to extras, with a good selection that'll show some big productions the care and attention that should go into a full featured dvd package. The extra features include an audio commentary which is nice and chatty and shows a bit of the fun was had in the production. A Making Of.." feature isn't too bad, but basically an extended intro to the people involved in the making of the film, rather than divulging any real info about the film itself. There are 2 theatrical trailers, 2 t.v. trailers and 3 radio spots, a short photo gallery, and poster gallery, a music video, cast/crew bio's and notes for band who did the score, and cd soundtrack info and website info. Finally, scattered throughout the menu system are many 8-balls you can click on to get various little tips on playing pool, spoken by a New Zealand woman with a slightly sexual overtone ("It's all aboet how yeu hold yer stuk en smeck yer bells eround").

Phew, there's lot's of stuff in there. With an unoriginal, but funny movie, good transfer, and plenty of extras, plus not to mention some effort that went into making the look of the menu screens interesting, this adds up to a good overall dvd that they can be proud of.


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  •   And I quote...
    "Luk, Stuk en Teu Smuking Berrils"
    - Vince Carrozza
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-525
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DB930
    • Speakers:
          Wharfedale s500
    • Centre Speaker:
          Polk Audio CS245
    • Surrounds:
          Wharfedale s500
    • Subwoofer:
          DB Dynamics TITAN
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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