Plot: What’s it about?
Titus Andronicus (Anthony Hopkins) has returned home from war as the victor and brings with him some spoils of that victory, in the form of Tamora, Queen of the Goths (Jessica Lange) and her sons. These captives serve as an example to those who oppose Rome and Titus offers the oldest of the sons as a sacrifice to his soldiers who perished in the battle. He if offered the title of Emperor but declines, instead nominating the oldest son the former ruler, Saturninus (Alan Cumming). In an effort to insult and enrage his own brother Bassianus (James Frain), Saturninus demands to be given the hand of Titus’ daughter Lavinia (Laura Fraser) in marriage. This sparks an outrage which drives Bassianus and Titus’ children to extremes in order to avoid such a travesty. In protest of the actions and requests they’ve seen, Bassianus, Lavinia, and Titus’ sons all attempt to leave their homes behind but Titus doesn’t seem to agree with their actions, and he kills one of his own. Soon Saturninus decides to marry Tamora, who still has plans to exact her revenge on Titus for killing her eldest son. If war was hell for Titus, he is soon to discover a level of personal chaos even more hellish than that.
This title is easily my most anticipated release of this year, which should tell you something since this year has been loaded with blockbuster announcements. I missed this film when it ran theatrically but caught a glimpse at a local art house showing, so I was primed to see this one from start to finish. As if the movie alone wasn’t enough to spur my excitement, Fox issued this film in a superb two disc release which means plenty of extras are included. In case you didn’t know this is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, which is one of his more visceral pieces. In other words, don’t be concerned that you’ll bored with this one because it’s not dull in the least. Even if you despise most of Shakespeare’s work you should give this one a spin as it stands out from the rest. I’ve seen the entire film now and I am pleased to say that it exceeded all of my expectations, which surprised me because my hopes were set very high for this one. This one is loaded with extensive and detailed set pieces and location as well as simply amazing costuming, all of which is vital to a film of this nature. I found this to be worth watching even if I only sat back to take in all the visuals, let alone marvel at the excellence the film itself has achieved. With a loaded double disc and a terrific transfer, Titus makes for an easy recommendation to those who enjoy films like this or are looking to enter the realm of them. The film has some graphic violence and sexually charged scenes though, so make sure the kiddies are in the other room for this one.
This movie marks the feature film directorial debut for Julie Taymor, who reached acclaimed and success working on stage productions including The Lion King. She makes the transition from the stage to the screen quite well here and creates a bold and vivid film, filled with amazing visuals and superb performances. This film has a grand and glorious feel to it, which I think the material demands. If this is any indication as to what we can expect from Taymor, I am looking forward to her future motion picture endeavors. This movie is shouldered by Anthony Hopkins who dominates the screen at all times in this film. Hopkins (The Silence Of The Lambs, Instinct) plays a boastful and macho character in this movie and he plays Titus to supreme perfection. In my opinion this is Hopkins’ most impressive performance yet, which is a bold statement. Jessica Lange (Blue Sky, Cousin Bette) also shines as the vengeful Tamora and she sizzles when on screen. Lange has played vixen type characters before, but never with this level of passion of charisma. The impressive supporting cast includes Alan Cumming (Goldeneye, Spice World), Laura Fraser (Virtual Sexuality, The Man In The Iron Mask), James Frain (Elizabeth, Where The Heart Is), Colm Feore (Pearl Harbor, The Insider), Harry Lennix (Bob Roberts, Love & Basketball), and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (B. Monkey, Michael Collins).
Video: How does it look?
Titus is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. If you want to show non believers how amazing this format can look, then Titus would be an excellent choice. This visual presentation is flawless and adds another notch in Fox’s belt for superb transfers of late. This film uses a wide scope of tricks and such, but this transfer is never thrown off the scent and always makes the movie look beautiful. The colors, whether metallic, stone, or bright and bold all look solid and never err, while flesh tones seem normal and warm as well. The contrast is up to task also, with complex shadow layering and no visible detail loss I could notice. This release sports a pristine source print and also shows no signs of compression artifacts. Fox has done it again and I hope they continue this level of excellence.
Audio: How does it sound?
When you think of William Shakespeare adaptations you might not think of dynamic audio, but you will after this disc has been given a spin in your home theater. This release contains an outstanding Dolby Digital 5.1 track which provides a spectacular audio experience. You will notice surround use often and this activity is effective and well placed. Whether you’re hearing the loudest and powerful effects or the softest whisper, it will be clear and easily audible. The musical score is excellent and this mix delivers a rich and immersive texture in which to enjoy it. The dialogue isn’t buried in all this either, all the vocals sound crisp and consistent in volume. This release also contains a 2.0 surround track and English and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This is another excellent double disc release from Fox and it comes loaded with goodies. The first contains three alternate audio selections, all of which proved to be worthwhile. The first is an audio commentary by director Julie Taymor which offers insight in the scope of this production, her reasons for choosing Titus, and her feelings about reactions to her film. This is an interesting track and those who follow her career should be sure to give this one a spin. Next is an isolated musical score with commentary by composer Elliot Goldenthal, which also provides information and insight. This first also includes a selection of sixteen scenes which contain scene specific commentary by Anthony Hopkins or Harry Lennix, sometimes both. A full commentary would have been welcome from these two, but this approach works for me also. The second disc is dedicated to supplements and contains some excellent bonus materials. A thirty-five minute question and answer session with Julie Taymor has been included and offers more insight into Taymor’s motivations and reasons behind this production. The Making Of Titus is an excellent documentary on the film and is loaded with behind the scenes information and such. The piece runs close to an hour and is a must see for anyone who loves this movie. The interviews go much deeper than the usual promotional fluff and on the whole this is one of the better documentaries I’ve seen. Penny Arcade Nightmares is a five minute glimpse into what went into one of the special effects laden scenes and features commentary by Kyle Cooper, who was behind achieving the effects. A gallery of costume design sketches is also included, which makes for an interesting addition. A pair of articles from American Cinematographer have been jammed onto this disc also and offer even more insight into this movie and the forces behind it. The disc also includes two theatrical trailers and four television spots, which give a glimpse at how the film was marketed.
