Plot: What’s it about?
Sometimes dead on and sometimes off the mark, The Doors is Oliver Stone’s vision of Jim Morrison and his life. So don’t expect a traditional biopic with accurate facts throughout, as this is more like Stone’s version of history, which won’t be much of a shock to fans of his work. Stone veers at times, but I don’t think he takes too much liberty here, just enough to enhance the drama and impact of the picture. The film tracks Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer) from his film school days until his death, which allows for a lot of story in a minimum time frame, which Stone uses to sheer perfection. A blend of personal moments, public manipulation, and musical performances, The Doors seeks to expose the era more than the man, which is not always obvious, but you can see it at times. Stone follows Morrison and uses him as the main character, but I think the movie touches on much larger topics also, with effective results. There’s a basic premise and a storyline here, but if you look deeper, there’s a lot more to take in under the surface, which is what to me makes this such a good flick.
The film itself, I think it is a wild ride and a lot of fun, but offers little real insight into Jim Morrison, although I don’t think that is the real point anyway. The film offers some excellent visuals (which are all but ruined in this transfer) and superb performances, especially from Val Kilmer, who nails the role of Morrison. The rest of the cast is good also, with such names as Meg Ryan, Michael Madsen, Frank Whaley, and even Billy Idol, who I always like to see. I don’t think this is one of Stone’s best overall efforts, but his direction is almost flawless and I think that alone warrants a look, if not a purchase. As I mentioned above, this one is expensive and offers little value, but fans of the flick will still want to upgrade, to take in all the rich supplements.
The driving force behind The Doors is Oliver Stone, who directed and helped write this feature. Stone has a lot of respect for the material and it shows in the film, although some complain about some elements Stone used. Even though he met with many people to gain a better knowledge of Jim Morrison and his music, Stone felt like there was such an open venue, he decided to create his vision of Morrison, which some folks didn’t like. But this was his movie and Stone knows a lot about the subject, so I can’t complain and in the end, I think Stone delivers on all counts. From the visuals to the characters to the nuances here, Stone seems to hit all the notes and once again, comes through with a powerful and controversial picture.
Video: How does it look?
This film has a long and sordid history on the disc format, with it being originally released back in the early 2000’s with, well, let’s just say “less than desirable” results. Flash forward a few decades and we’ve got a new 4K offering which corrects any and all errors. The film has a new 4K restoration which seems up to the challenge of the varying scenes in the film. We go from the burnt out orangish look of the desert, to the dark/light view of a concert to the psychedelic drug trip that is and was Jim Morrison’s life. Consistency isn’t a word I’d use to describe this film, but it is fitting for this new 2.35:1 HEVC 4K image.
Audio: How does it sound?
At least this one sounds good though, which is vital since this is an audio driven feature. The included Dolby Atmos track handles all the issues here and sounds good, but I wasn’t blown away by this mix. I think the music sounds terrific and all, but the surround use seems false at times, which is a let down at times. I think in terms of this case, the mix is up to the task, but when compared to more recent efforts, this one falls short in the end. But I do think this is an above average treatment, as the music and sounds effects come across in fine form, just not as natural as I’d like at times. No issues with the dialogue either, as the vocals are clean and crisp, with no volume troubles to report.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Most all of the supplements from previous editions have made the leap to this special edition. There’s even two new features to boot.
- Introduction by Director Oliver Stone – Pretty much that. The acclaimed director gives us his input on the film with this 2 minute segment.
- Val, Oliver & Jim: The Making of Morrison – Some archival footage of the cast and crew on the set as they were filming the movie.
- Audio Commentary – An audio commentary track with Oliver Stone is included and as usual, Stone has a lot to discuss and seems well prepared, though not overly so. He reveals much about his approach to the material and his personal ties to the subject matter, which sheds some light on certain aspects of the film. He does ramble at times, but stays close to the issue at hand, so no real complaints with another solid Stone commentary option.
- The Doors: The Road of Excess – This provides a wealth of interviews and behind the scenes information. This is by no means a promotional fluff piece, as the interviews are in depth and a lot is revealed about The Doors, especially in terms of Stone’s choices while writing and filming the picture.
- Deleted Scenes – 14 total with an intro by Oliver Stone. Granted, these amount to over forty minutes of unused footage. The scenes don’t offer much in terms of impact, but there are some worthwhile ones in there, so don’t pass these up by any means.
- The Doors in L.A. – A look at the band in the City of Angels and how the town shaped their image.
- Jim Morrison: An American Poet in Paris – Paris is where Morrison eventually passed on and this segment pays tribute to the man and the city he loved.
- Interview with Oliver Stone – Stone, in this “vintage” interview, gives us his comments on the film and what it was trying to suggest.
- Interview with Sound Editor Lon Bender – Bender gives us his input on the new Dolby Atmos mix that’s found on the movie.
- Teaser, Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots
The Bottom Line
I distinctly remember when the movie came out. It came out the same weekend as The Silence of the Lambs. I was a Senior in high school and chose to see this. I don’t regret it, but I think we all know what film has stood the test of time better. At any rate, this offers some upgraded video and audio as well as some collectible steelbook pacakaging. Anyone wanting the coolest and/or the most definitive of the film need look no further.
