General's Daughter, The

Released By:

Paramount Home Video

Features:

1999; 118 Min; Rated R; Dolby Digital: 5.1 English; Dolby Surround: English, French; Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35).

Extras:

Audio Commentary by Director Simon West; Making Of Featurette, 4 Deleted Scenes with Commentary; Theatrical Trailer.

Review:

When Con-Air was released back in 1997, the trailers were boasting about directory Simon West. Since this was a Jerry Bruckheimer production, I didn't care. I saw Con-Air and had a lot of fun, so I figured West would become pigeon holed into the action genre. This seems to be the pattern of Bruckheimer's directors, where you're left wondering, could he direct a serious film? The General's Daughter proves that West probably will be able to make this jump.

John Travolta stars as an army investigator that has been assigned to the murder of a general's daughter. The general is played by James Cromwell. Since this murder looks like a ritualistic form of rape, Travolta is assigned a rape investigator, played by Madiline Stowe. The two of them must dig through all of the red tape and lies on the military base, to uncover the truth.

The general's daughter was a member of the psych-ops division on the base, for more reason's than a simple assignment. Her supervisor is player by James Woods. When it becomes apparent that there is more to this murder than a rape, everyone on the base becomes a suspect. Other major members of the cast are Clarence Williams III and Timothy Hutton (where's he been?).

The pacing of The General's Daughter is perfect. As West continues to peel away the layers of the story, nothing is given away. The film is pretty much this is a straight thriller, and unlike Con-Air, there is very little action. There is a brutal rape scene, which may disturb some people, but it is a necessary evil for the continuity of the story.

The presentation of the film is on par with what one expects from Paramount now. The anamorphic widescreen transfer is crisp and clean, save the downconversion artifacts that occur from my standard TV. The soundtrack is great, nothing is over-mixed. The only disadvantage I had was that ID4 had just killed my sub-woofer, so the lows from my system were really not there. I really would like to hear Trevor Rabin's score with some base. Looks like I know my Christmas present to myself.

Paramount has finally created a disc worthy of being called a special edition. They have included the obligatory making of documentary and trailer. They went a step further by including a commentary by director Simon West, and deleted scenes. As normal, I haven't gotten to the commentary track, maybe when I finally buy this movie. I did go through the deleted scenes.  How are they? Let me put it this way, normally when a director removes footage from a film there's a good reason. I'm glad West removed these scenes from the film, because it would have introduced a sub-plot that was unnecessary.

As a fan of Travolta, I found it difficult not to buy this film. At the time I'm writing this, it's the holidays my money need to go elsewhere (See the previously mentioned sub-woofer). having rented this title, I will definitely pick this title up. Don't miss this film, you'll be surprised.

This surprisingly good thriller is worthy of a rating of 7.5.

For the overall disc presentation, I give The General's Daughter a 7.

Reference System A

Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
Home
Reviews
Copyright 1999-2000, FIT Productions