As a seasoned cinephile who has been following the twists and turns of the silver screen for decades, I can confidently say that The Usual Suspects is a cinematic masterpiece that deserves a place in every film enthusiast’s collection. Having watched countless films, both good and bad, this one stands out as a shining example of a well-crafted narrative with a twist so mind-boggling it leaves you questioning reality long after the credits roll.
The performances are top-notch, particularly Kevin Spacey as Verbal Kint, whose enigmatic charm and witty dialogue make him a character that is impossible to forget. The supporting cast, including Chazz Palminteri, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio del Toro, and Kevin Pollak, all deliver strong performances that add depth and complexity to the story.
The film’s intricate plot, inspired by a police line-up poster, is a testament to Christopher McQuarrie’s writing skills. His dialogue gives each actor their moment to shine, creating memorable scenes that linger in your mind long after the credits roll. The script is so cleverly written that even if you think you have it figured out, you’re likely to be proven wrong in the end.
The upcoming 4K UHD Blu-ray release is a must-have for any film lover. With its stunning restoration from the original negative and a wealth of bonus features, it offers a fresh perspective on this timeless classic. My favorite feature has got to be the improvised line-up scene, where Benicio del Toro’s often deliberately incomprehensible lines had the producers scratching their heads during filming.
In closing, if you haven’t seen The Usual Suspects yet, you’re missing out on one of the greatest cinematic tricks ever pulled. And remember, the best part about this movie is that even if you think you know what’s going on, you probably don’t! So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride. As they say in the film, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he didn’t exist. And that’s exactly what he did.” Now, if only Keyser Söze would reveal his secret recipe for popcorn… I’d be a happy man!
Films with surprising endings, or twist films, can sometimes be unpredictable in terms of success and it’s a challenge for filmmakers like M. Night Shyamalan as audiences often try to guess the ending from the start. However, directors like Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie wouldn’t face such issues. They began their careers with ‘Public Access’, but that movie didn’t make much of an impact. But then came ‘The Usual Suspects’ which completely transformed their careers.
Following a horrific mass killing on a cargo vessel near Los Angeles, claiming 27 lives, Special Agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) grills one of the two remaining survivors, street hustler Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey). In the course of their conversation, Kint narrates his recruitment by the formidable criminal mastermind Keyser Söze to pull off a string of audacious heists alongside four other questionable characters: Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne), Mike McManus (Stephen Baldwin), Fred Fenster (Benicio del Toro) and Todd Hockey (Kevin Pollak). However, as Kint’s narrative of the events preceding the massacre grows more tangled, Agent Kujan grows progressively doubtful and resolved to unmask the mysterious Keyser Söze.
Fundamentally, the movie revolved around a duel between Palminteri and Spacey, with frequent flashbacks, centering on the enigmatic character Keyser Soze. The question of whether he truly existed was a recurring theme in the film, as it hinted that the most cunning trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he didn’t exist. This twist ending is considered one of the greatest in cinema history. If someone claims they figured it out, they are likely deceiving you. McQuarrie drew inspiration for his intricate script from a police line-up poster, and his dialogue allowed each actor to deliver memorable performances.
The movie earned just $23 million worldwide, but it served as an impressive debut for both its writer and director. It won McQuarrie an Oscar for Best Screenplay, while Spacey received an award for Best Supporting Actor. This film serves as a reminder that despite the accusations against him, which led to his isolation even after being cleared, Spacey is and continues to be a remarkable actor on screen.
Out now on 4K UHD blu-ray limited edition this new release has the following bonus features:
- 4K restoration from the original negative approved by cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie
• Audio commentary with editor and composer John Ottman
• The Devil in the Details, an archival interview with Newton Thomas Sigel
• Archival interview with John Ottman
• Round Up: Deposing the Usual Suspects, a two-part featurette delving into the creation and production of The Usual Suspects with exclusive clips, interviews with key figures, and raw footage from the making of the film
• Keyser Söze (Lie or Legend?), an archival featurette
• Heisting Cannes with The Usual Suspects, archival footage from the film’s world premiere at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival
• Introducing The Usual Suspects, an original EPK featurette
• Deleted scenes with introduction by John Ottman
• Gag reel
• Interview outtakes with Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Benicio del Toro, and Bryan Singer
• International trailer
• U.S. trailer with introduction by John Ottman
• TV spots
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Barry Forshaw
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reiterate the joy of revisiting this collection, even though it’s primarily archival. There are treasures hidden within its features that make every revisit worthwhile! One standout moment is the lineup scene where Singer gave each of the five actors in the gang a chance to improvise when the police ask them to step forward. It was Del Toro, with his knack for being deliberately cryptic (a concern for producers during filming), and Baldwin who brought the house down with their side-splitting lines.
McQuarrie continued his career with larger action movies through the Mission Impossible series, whereas Singer faced disgrace following numerous accusations that led to his dismissal from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ However, The Usual Suspects remains a movie worth revisiting multiple times in search of missed details, and this new 4K UHD release adds even more enjoyment to an already great film.
Here’s The Usual Suspects trailer……
The Usual Suspects – 4K UHD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION is released on 6th January 2025
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2025-01-04 03:24