Review of Forrest Gump (2 Disc Set)

Introduction

"Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you`re gonna get."

After the Second World War, many events occurred in the United States - from a presedential assassination to another war. The decades that followed supposed world peace were turbulent to say the least, and capturing onto film was a daunting task.

However, it seems that Eric Roth`s screenplay has captured the essence of the times. Based on the novel by Winston Grrom, it follows the life of low IQ Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) and his meeting with the love of his life Jenny (Robin Wright). The film chronicles his accidental experiences with some of the most important people and events in America from the late 1950s through the 1970ss including a meeting with Elvis Presley, JFK, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon. Going off to fight in Vietnam, he meets Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise), and although he may be too stupid to realise the significance of his actions, Forrest becomes representative of the generation, even though he has walked through life blindly.

Winner of six Academy Awards, this was released in 1994 to critical acclaim, and then the Academy showered it with the big Oscars. The same year Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption were released: two of my favourite films, and they won only one award between them. Therefore, if my faith in Hollywood is to be restored, then Forrest Gump better be pretty amazing...

Video

2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. Since this is a recent film, expectations are high, and thankfully, they are answered. The visuals are deep and well defined, with the palette used to good effect, and there are no compression signs visible. The print is crisp and clear throughout, and the transfer is free from dust and grain.

From the picturesque opening shot of a flower petal slowly descending onto the quaint suburban street below to the intensity of the Vietnam sequences, Forrest Gump is a very visual affair, with lots for your eyes to lap up. The production design is very complex and Zemeckis` directing compliments this - although the jury is still out on whether he should have received the Best Director Oscar over Quentin Tarantino (for Pulp Fiction).

The visual effects are very good, although one would not expect a film of this genre and style to rely on computer trickery. However, whether it is a simple prosthetic ageing process to a more complicated CG shot of missing limbs, everything is executed to the best of the film-makers abilities.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 (English & German) & Dolby Digital 2.0 (Czech). The surrounds are used well, with good ambiance levels and clarity - although at times the rear channel definiton is not as good as it could be. The main audio stream is crisp and clear, and the soundstage is particularly impressive during the Vietnam sequences, with the odd bit of subwoofer action.

Having never read the novel, I came across the material completety unawares. But, I have to say that Roth`s screenplay is a quirky look at American culture, with some intriguing moments, poignant moments, and amusing moments. One criticism that is apparent though is that it never really knows what genre it falls into - is it a drama or a comedy? By opting for about a 60-40 share, there are some emotional moments spoilt by comedy - comedy that isn`t well done either. Cheesy visual `jokes` and misplaced jabs at society spoil some of the atmosphere of the narrative. Fortunately, the good parts are strong enough to outweigh the rest.

Features

This is the first Paramount double-disc release, and considering they previously had the reputation of delivering poor quality discs, extras-wise, can the slate now be rubbed clean?

The first disc contains two audio commentaries, the first from director Robert Zemeckis, producer Steve Starkey, and production designer Rick Carter. It is an amusing and informative ensemble effort, with numerous anecdotes and production titbits - a good commentary overall. The second, from producer Wendy Finerman, is a somewhat dryer affair, with a lot of information and not that much humour. Both have their pros and cons, but the better one is definitely the former.

The second disc kicks off with a documentary, entitled "Through The Eyes of Forrest Gump". A fairly meaty affair, clocking in at over 30 minutes, it is a step-by-step journey through the production, from conception to final execution. Well done - and remains interesting throughout.

"The Magic of Make-Up" is a featurette looking at yep, you guessed it, the make-up in the film, and is interesting, if only to watch A-listers be smothered in prosthetics: a lengthy and frankly boring process! Considering the amount of prosthetics needed in the film, the featurette needed to be extensive enough to cover it all; but not get weighted down before descending into boredom. Thankfully, it does deliver. Another good extra.

"Through The Ears of Forrest Gump" is a featurette looking at the sound design in the film, but this does drag a bit, as sound isn`t the most interesting cinematic concept. But, for sonic enthusiasts it will be great, and for you and me, it is OK - worth watching whilst making a cup of tea...

"Building The World of Gump" is a shorter featurette looking at production design, and is interesting. But, it is a bit sparse, especially considering the sound design one is longer.

There are eleven visual effects sequences, entitled "Seeing Is Believing", and vary from good to very good. Featuring two not shown in the film, the feature deals with how the various CG trickery was done, which, on reflection, was pretty impressive when one takes into account the budget for Forrest Gump wasn`t that massive. They can be watched one by one, which is good for future re-watching or just if you can`t be bothered to cycle through the lot.

A photo gallery is provided, but it isn`t that extensive - just the right size actually if you`re the type of person to quickly scroll through them. Nothing revolutionary mind.

Screen tests and a theatrical trailer complete the package, with the former being the tests of Robin Wright (with an already cast Tom Hanks), a very young Haley Joel Osment, and the young Forrest and the young Jenny. The latter is a trailer that mismarkets the film, no doubt making people expect a somewhat farcial comedy instead of drama.

The menus are animated well, all set against a white background, with an animation per screen and the score playing in the background. They are very easy to navigate.

Conclusion

Critically acclaimed and did well at the Oscars, Forrest Gump certainly sounds good. And from the first image of a simple Forrest sitting on a park bench in idyllic surroundings, echoing his now infamous catchphrase, it is a film of deepness yet shallowness; engrossing drama yet repulsive comedy.

Yes, Gump`s innocence means that the majority of the jokes are funny, but then there is the odd set-piece or jab at some form of society that just doesn`t fit. But, when the comedy is moved to one side and the person Forrest Gump emerges from his misfit façade, what could have been a misplaced satire of post-war America becomes a rightly accalimed cinematic experience.

The main highlights of the film come from when Gump engages in something that the audience can relate to - something famous, or indeed infamous - like when he meets JFK or goes off to fight in Vietnam: although he shows no fear for he knows nothing of what lies ahead.

The relationship he forms with the disgruntled Lieutenant Dan is something that is a characteristic of the current situation in the West - someone who has been tainted by a dirty brush trying to spread their idealogies only to be completely changed by someone else. The triumph of the duo is something to look at with a smile, as it shows that good can indeed prevail.

Talking of relationships, Gump`s obsession with old schoolfriend Jenny would be called `desperate` in today`s society, but really he is just so dedicated to her, loving her truly - even though he doesn`t know what love is. The culmination of this, and what could have been a trip to cliché-ridden hell, is actually incredibly poignant and sums up the journey that Gump endures throughout the film.

I may be over-analyzing this, but when a film is in the spotlight so much, up against other gems, then it needs to be looked at closely. So, now we move onto the question that I posed at the beginning of this review, how Forrest Gump better be pretty amazing, considering the two other films from 1994 that I love. Unfortunately, it is not up to the standard of Pulp Fiction nor The Shawshank Redemption. Whilst all three films are completely different, the other two were so rich and so engrossing that they scream `watch me!`.

But, when you move the (excess) critical baggage away, what you are left with is something that can be watched again and again, something that presses all the right buttons, although occasionally it presses a couple of wrong ones.

Tom Hanks is indeed good as Forrest Gump, from his Southern drawl to his buzzcut. Robin Wright is also as good as Jenny - Forrest`s true idol...and thankfully Wright puts enough heart and the odd bit of spite into the role before the conclusion.

Backing them up are a great ensemble of actors - Oscar-nominated Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan, Sally Field as Mama Gump...and the list goes on. Robert Zemeckis also seems to be having fun and also doing all the right things in the director`s chair, backed up by another good ensemble: this time the crew.

The DVD itself is good presentation wise, and good extras wise, although some more effort into the featurettes would have turned this into an almost-perfect disc, extras wise. A good first venture into the 2-disc world for Paramount.

To sum up Forrest Gump concisely: a very good film, with a few flaws that prevent it from being cinematic brilliance. `Tis damn close though, and as for the DVD, no real complaints. Worth owning.