Plot: What’s it about?
Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) is about to turn sixty-five and while he has found much success in the media trade, he has also been a loving father and in truth, a good man all around. But his days are very limited and when he is contacted by what seems to be Death, he shrugs it off as a hallucination of some kind. That encounter was very real however, as Parrish soon learns when Death appears to him in human form, Joe Black (Brad Pitt). Of course, Joe Black has come to this realm to take Parrish back with him, but things don’t work out just as planned. Joe takes an interest in the realm of the living and also in Parrish’s daughter, Susan (Claire Forlani) and as such, he wishes to remain here for a while to see some of life’s experiences. He agrees to extend Parrish’s life in exchange for his services as a guide, so that Joe can soak up some life firsthand, as well as get to know Susan better. But when the time comes for Joe to return to his own realm and take Parrish with him, will his experiences on the other side make him think twice about his own existence, or will he simply revert back and do what he’s called to do?
This two disc edition marks the second release for Meet Joe Black and in this case, I am thrilled Universal chose to revisit the film in the fashion it did. You gain a DTS option and retain the extras from the previous edition, but the main draw is a bonus feature film, Death Takes A Holiday. This was the film Meet Joe Black was based on and to have it included here as a bonus, defies reason to be sure, but is very welcome indeed. But I’ll discuss the discs later on, as this is the space devoted to my thoughts on Meet Joe Black and as such, I will dispense those thoughts. I have read some bad reviews of this film and in most cases, it is criticized for being too slow or too long, when I think those elements are vital to why it is such an enjoyable picture. Yes, the pace is slow, but not a second is wasted here, there’s a reason the film lasts three hours and without the extended running time, the movie would be too thin, at least I think so. I think Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, and Brad Pitt all turn in great performances and in the end, Meet Joe Black is a terrific film. I highly recommend this movie and if you decide to pick it up, make sure to nab this new two disc edition.
As he always seems to do, Anthony Hopkins shines in his role here and in the end, I think he serves as the film’s balancing character. He is close to the other main players here, but since the other two wander into their own little realm at times, it is Hopkins who stands in the middle and he is superb indeed in that respect. His presence is very strong, but he is within a weaker character than usual here, though it never slows his skills in the least. I am always impressed with Hopkins’ range and he reminds me why in Meet Joe Black, as he really seems to take over his character, terrific work all around. You can also see Hopkins in such films as Hannibal, The Mask of Zorro, Titus, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Silence of the Lambs, The Elephant Man, and The Edge. The cast also includes Claire Forlani (Mallrats, AntiTrust), Brad Pitt (The Mexican, Fight Club), Jake Weber (The Pelican Brief, Pushing Tin), Jeffrey Tambor (Pollock, City Slickers), and Marcia Gay Harden (Space Cowboys, The First Wives Club).
Video: How does it look?
Meet Joe Black is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This is the same transfer from the previous release and as such, it looks just as good. The image looks very sharp and well detailed, while compression errors are never an issue. The colors here are vivid and bold, with no problems to discuss and as for flesh tones, they’re natural throughout. I was very impressed by the contrast here also, as black levels are very rich and textured, which is vital for some scenes in the film, to be sure. A few small errors aside, this is an excellent visual presentation and fans will be more than pleased, just as with the prior edition.
Audio: How does it sound?
I was surprised with how immersive the Dolby Digital 5.1 track was on the earlier release, so I was eager to test out the new DTS option found on this Ultimate Edition. I was not let down either, as the audio is fuller and even deeper than before, this is a case where DTS simply outdoes the Dolby Digital choice at every turn. But both were very good tracks to be honest, so whichever you go for you’ll be please, though if you can choose, go for the DTS option here. The music sounds superb, the surrounds are used often, and there’s some wonderful use of low frequency effects, which richens the mix more than a little. No problems in terms of dialogue however, as it sounds well balanced and easy to understand at all times. You’ll also find a French 5.1 surround option, as well as subtitles in Spanish & English.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release included a brief behind the scenes featurette, a photo montage, some talent files, production notes, DVD ROM content, and the film’s theatrical trailer. In a most unusual move, Universal has included an entire feature film as a bonus as well, found on the second disc. Death Takes A Holiday is the 1934 flick that meet Meet Joe Black is based on, which makes it pertinent for this release, I suppose. I am surprised the film is tacked on here, as opposed to a stand alone release, but I am very pleased to own this great film on DVD, to be sure. The film is shown in the proper full frame form and includes a mono soundtrack, as well as bonus French track and subtitles in English & Spanish. The film shows some age signs as expected, but looks better than I had counted on and should thrill fans, without a doubt.
