DVD Reviews

The Tourist – Blu-ray Review

By June L. Mar 29, 2011, 1:51 GMT

Frank (Johnny Depp), a mild-mannered American on vacation in Venice, Italy, is befriended by Elise (Angelina Jolie), a breathtakingly beautiful woman with a mysterious secret. Soon, their playful romantic dalliance turns into a complicated web of dangerous deceit as they are chased by Interpol, the Italian police, and Russian hit men in this suspense-filled, international action thriller. ...more

An American tourist and a mysterious beautiful woman, meet on a train bound for Venice.  Ahh romance!  Or so it seems until Frank and Elise are being chased by the French Police, the Italian Police and Interpol.

In an elegant, beautiful, fun and exciting adventure, audiences get to escape to Venice and have the adventure of a lifetime with Frank (Johnny Depp) a low key math teacher from the Midwest whose holiday is interrupted and enhanced by Elise (Angelina Jolie) the beautiful spy? Criminal? Or simply gorgeous stranger with a sense of adventure. 
Reminiscent of the spy films of the sixties, there are beautiful people, fabulous clothes, incredible social events and the ever-present danger from…..whichever faction is chasing the couple at the moment. 

Both Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie play the characters within a framework of the stereotypes, but add so much depth that they become real people for the viewer.  Also teamed with the old style characters and elegance is a twenty first century sensibility with humor and style that ramp up the action and use the locations as much as the characters to tell the story. 

Paul Bettany is superb as Inspector John Acheson of Scotland Yard, bent of catching the elusive Alexander Pearce in spite of his chief’s orders to abandon the case.  Timothy Dalton is Chief Inspector Jones in a small but captivating role, giving the sense that Scotland Yard does know what it is doing in spite of Acheson’s obsessions. 

Steven Berkoff playing Reginald Shaw is the perfect villain for the story chillingly ruthless, but with quirks that produce dark humor.  Well cast, beautifully filmed and well played, The Tourist is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
 
The Tourist DVD and Blu-ray Combo is the way to own this adventure.  Besides discs containing the two formats, there are special features galore.  The Alternate Animated Title sequence is fun, especially if one remembers the sixties films, there is a Director’s Commentary, “A Gala Affair” that gives a behind the scenes look at the creation of the ballroom and the ball in a pivotal part of the film, Bringing Glamour Back looks at the aspects of filming a spy thriller in one of the most elegant and glamorous cities of the world, with equally qualified cast members. 

Blu-ray specials include a sequence of Action in Venice, and what is required for water scenes, Tourist Destination takes viewers around the city of Venice and showcases some of its beauties.  Canal Chats are backstage interviews with writers, director, cast and crew on various aspects of the film and production. 

There are also Movie IQi-synch and BD Live features available.  Running time for the feature is 100 minutes and it is rated PG-13.  Escape to Venice and enjoy this beautiful and entertaining mysterious adventure.

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