Release Date: 1/8/08

The Film

Excuse me for saying so, but I have a morbid, and probably unhealthy, fascination with serial killers. Something about what happens to the human mind after it decides to indiscriminately (or discriminately in some cases) murder innocent victims just intrigues me to no end. The latest David Fincher film, Zodiac, doesn’t quite take us into the psyche of a seemingly methodical killer, however, it does a great job of taking us into the lives of those who tried to understand the Zodiac Killer and ultimately put an end to his reign of terror during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Now available on HD DVD, Zodiac- 2-Disc Director’s Cut offers viewers an extra 4-minutes of footage not scene in the original theatrical version.

Based on the true story of the serial killer that went by Zodiac and the novel written by Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), the film follows the investigation of the murders that plagued California for two decades. Usually, I’d describe the murderer and his patterns here, but unfortunately for the citizens and detectives, the Zodiac didn’t have any patterns, or rather, he intentionally changed his patterns with no seeming motive in any of the slayings. Puzzling and frustrating the investigators even more are the brazen letters sent by the killers himself taking responsibility for the murders, taunting the authorities, and threatening to commit more killings. Hot on his tracks, or not so hot, are Detective Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), San Francisco Chronicle writer Paul Avery (Roberty Downey Jr.), and cartoonist Graysmith. What plays out a great mix of suspense and drama as the lives of those in pursuit of the killer become increasingly complicated with the need to catch a killer and family matters cross paths.

The DVD

The main menu comes with an animated background and music with the HD DVD menu style of interactive menus that appear on the same screen as you select the options.

The video is offered in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Format. The picture here is near perfect as each and every detail is captured with great care. Colors also appear natural, only showing a bit over warmth in some outdoor scenes. The darker scenes look great as nothing was lost in the shadows.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1. This is a subtle, yet completely successful, audio transfer as the dialogue is crisp and the score does very well to ramp up the intensity of scenes. The satellite speakers even get some work as the aural side of things get plenty of play here to work up the spine tingling sequences of the film. Subtitles are offered in English, French, and Spanish.

The “Speshul Features”

The 2-disc set comes in a single standard HD DVD slimline case with a disc found on each flap on the inside. All things considered, it’s the usual stuff, but the real eye catcher here is the artwork of the release. Made to resemble an envelope sent by the Zodiac killer to the San Fran Chronicle. It would have been nice if the case itself was made of cardboard, but I’ll take what I can get when the studios put a little thought into packaging.

There are 2 Audio Commentary tracks provided for the film. The first track includes the director alone while the second track includes Gyllenhaal, Downey, Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt, and James Ellroy.

The remaining bonus options are found on the second disc and split into two groups: The Film and The Facts.

Zodiac Deciphered is broken up into 7 chapters and offers a Play All option running about 54-minutes in total. Plenty of interviews and behind the scenes looks are found in this piece.

The Visual Effects of Zodiac runs about 15-minutes and features a look at the artistic direction of the film.

Previsualization offers 3 split-screen comparisons between animatics and finished film for the three murder sequences.

This is the Zodiac Speaking is split into 4 parts and features the hour and 42-minute long feature length piece produced by David Prior. Again, plenty of interviews are offered here, but with the original investigators and surviving attack victims. This is a must see for those captivated by the killer.

His Name Was Arthur Leigh Allen is a 43-minute piece that offers up opinions on the prime suspect from the police and those who knew him personally.

The bonus options round out with the Theatrical Trailer.

Final Thoughts

While some may dislike the open ended nature of the ending, Zodiac – 2-Disc Director’s Cut (HD DVD) is a huge upgrade over the film’s previous single disc barebones release and the film itself is very fine piece of thrilling cinema. The “Speshul Features” are also a great mix of backstage looks and the real life events that inspired the movie. This release comes highly recommended for those in need of a deeply layered and suspenseful experience.

- Morris Tang