Carlito's Way: Collector's Edition

Universal | minutes | | | Standard DVD reviewed by: Christopher Bligh

He has been one of the best directors in the last 30 years of filmmaking. His 80s work range from good to classic status. As the 90's approached, Brian DePalma had come off a hot decade with a big bomb in Bonfire of the Vanities. His track record didn't improve much returning to the thriller genre with Raising Cain. I thought I was going to lose my faith in one of my favorite directors with 2 less than stellar films. However, a picture in the winter preview of 1993 Entertainment Weekly with a picture of Al Pacino, Penelope Ann Miller and Sean Penn brought the curiosity cloud over me into wondering if this could be brilliant or three bombs in a row. A few months later, I realized that the film that was pictured, "Carlito's Way", certainly fit in the former bringing DePalma back to form.

Thanks to some illegal wire taps obtained by lawyer David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) is released from prison after serving five years of a thirty year prison sentence for his criminal activities on the streets of Spanish Harlem. Although Carlito has a dream to leave the underworld behind, the underworld cannot seem to leave him no matter how many complications arise whether it's putting money into a club and dealing with some cocky clientele like Benny Blanco from the Bronx (John Leguizamo) or reuniting with a past girlfriend named Gail (Penelope Ann Miller) who has a dream of her own with less than stellar results to assisting Kleinfeld into his own problems with another higher power on the street. Like the aged Michael Corleone in the third Godfather film, every time Brigante thinks out, the underworld keep pulling him back in.

This film served in some comparisons to "Scarface" only that it deals with Spanish gangsters but every time I see it (and I've seen it many times), Carlito's Way has a look, a feel and a flavor that makes it all it's own. The overhead and closeup shots that DePalma chooses are reminiscent of past films but are always welcome additions and a joy to see. Even though the film is set in the 70's with the music, the dancing and the outfits, the storyline echoes the feel of the films of the forties from the opening black and white shot to a mirror scene at Gail's apartment with Carlito peering in from the space in the chain-locked front door. And no DePalma movie would be complete without a "going out with a bang" climax on a subway train. All 3 leads give stellar performances, most especially Sean Penn as Kleinfeld. He plays a slimeball so convincingly, you can see the slime coming from the sweat off his balding forehead. DePalma gives us a tragic gangster tale that not only ranks with the best movies of the 1990's but gets better in every way. P.S. Look for "Lord of the Rings" star Viggo Mortensen in a supporting role.

Universal has released this film for a second time on DVD and it is an improvement over the previous release. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio is better represented with very little grain and a brighter look. This is the best this film is going to look. From the bright lights inside and outside the El Paraiso in the night to the daytime shots in Spanish Harlem and outside Riker's Island. As well as the shady bathroom shot that became the poster and the DVD cover of the movie, the transfer without dirt or a scratch is solid.

The 5.1 Dolby Digital sounds better than the previous release. the music soundtrack balance the loudness of the club with the dialogue which ,at times, echoes but never distracts. The 70s music plus the score by Patrick Doyle has never sounded better in any form and it sounds great. The disc also includes English, Spanish and French subtitles and include lyrics from the songs used in the soundtrack.

Don't believe the early cover art on the internet. The original cover has been retained with a blue Collector's Edition banner but inside, no chapter insert. Another Laurent Bouzereau documentary called "The Making of Carlito's Way" is included and even though the cast is missing from this, Edwin Torres' comments along with DePalma's short and sweet take on DVD makes up for it.

Also included is a photo gallery of the film and Brian DePalma as well as a poster gallery. Finally, the same trailer from the previous release and the Scarface DVD is included which even though it's a great trailer, it is a disappointment considering I would've preferred the teaser trailer. The disc also starts off with 3 ads for the Scarface Anniversary Edition, The Animal House Double Secret Probation Edition and the Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 2-Disc Special Edition.