BRAVEHEART
25th Anniversary SteelBook
(4K
Blu-ray Review)
Starring
Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen,
Brendan Gleeson, Catherine McCormack, David O'Hara. Directed by Mel
Gibson. (1995/177 min)
FROM
PARAMOUNT
Review
by Tiger the Terribleđș
Before
he went all funny on us, Mel Gibson could do no wrong. In addition to
being one of the most bankable actors in the world, 1995's
Braveheart showed he was also a director to be reckoned with.
Since it's generally considered a modern classic today, it might be
difficult to appreciate what a risk this film was back then. Big,
bold three-hour historical epics weren't being made much at the time,
let-alone one directed by a guy with just a single small film under
his belt.
Five
Oscars and $200 million later, not-only was it Gibson's biggest film
to date, one could easily argue it opened the doors for such action
epics as Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator and Alexander.
And as history has shown, Braveheart ended up being the
pinnacle of his career. Say what you will about the man now, Mel Gibson
put together one hell of a film that stills holds up as grand,
voracious entertainment, despite hipsters making great sport of its
historical accuracy.
Besides,
the film never claimed to be a history lesson. Rousing, romantic,
tragic and gleefully gory, Braveheart is audience manipulation
at its most effective. Only cynics get wrapped up in such
petty details as a skewed timeline, inaccurate depictions of historical figures and the car parked on the battlefield. It's all about good &
evil, heroes & villains, love & revenge and, of course, buckets of blood & brutality. What's not to love about that?
 |
| "You know it's Commando Friday, right?" |
It's
hard to believe Braveheart is now 25 years old. As modern
historical epics go, it still ranks among the most entertaining and
is always worth revisiting from time to time. So of course it
deserves some kind of commemoration. But be aware, 4K and SteelBook editions have
been released before, as well as several Blu-rays that are loaded
with the same extensive bonus features that are included here.
Like
the simultaneously released 4K SteelBook of Gladiator, the
only difference is the packaging itself, which differs from previous
editions and features one of the film's more iconic images. If
you've never added Braveheart
to
your shelf, the 25th Anniversary Edition is a good as it gets. But if
you already have it on 4K Blu-ray, time to decide if the new
packaging is worth double-dipping for.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
BRAVEHEART
TIMELINES - A neat interactive feature consisting of three
timelines related to the production, the film's narrative and the
actual history of William Wallace. Includes text, behind-the-scenes
footage, interviews and selected scenes.
BRAVEHEART:
A LOOK BACK – An hour-long documentary originally produced in
2009. Features interviews with numerous cast & crew.
SMITHFIELD:
MEDIEVAL KILLING FIELDS – A look at the location where Wallace
*and countless others) were tortured. It's a meat market today.
TALES
OF WILLIAM WALLACE – A 30 minute documentary about the
real-life Scottish hero.
A
WRITER'S JOURNEY – Interview with screenwriter Randall Wallace.
AUDIO
COMMENTARY – By Mel Gibson.
TRAILERS
DIGITAL
COPY
KITTY CONSENSUS:
MEE-OW! LIKE TAUNTING A MOUSE TO DEATH.
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