Big Fish DVD Review:

Hearing that his father is dying, William Bloom (Crudup) returns home to be at his bedside even though he has not talked to him for over three years. Edward Bloom (Finney) is a teller of tall tales about his life when he was a younger man (McGregor) but William had heard them all before and all he wants is his father to separate the truth from the fantastical so he can finally find out who he really is.

Tim Burton returns to his fantasy roots to bring us a magical tale about love, dedication and the importance of family.

Once in a while a movie comes along that is just pure cinema, Big Fish is one of those films. Adapted from the book by Daniel Wallace, Tim Burton uses his unique vision to transport us into the extraordinary imagination of Edward Bloom. Bringing to life the incredible world of giants, werewolves, mermaids and extremely large catfish could have only ever been achieved by Burton’s astonishing visual style. Blending the bright, 50s look of ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and the dark moodiness of ‘Sleepy Hollow’, Edward Bloom’s tall tales come to life before your very eyes.

All this visual splendour is accompanied by a heart-warming story. At its essence, Big Fish is a story about a son trying to get to know his father. After being fed these fantastical stories for as long as he can remember, William just wants to know what really happened during his life but his grandiose, flamboyant father has never revealed the truth, making him feel that he will never know the real Edward Bloom. By asking the question “Do we ever actually know someone completely”, Burton and the filmmakers draw you into this relationship as you learn that truth can be intermingled with fiction, if it makes the story sound better.

The wonderful visuals and story would be nothing without some fine performances from the cast. Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor excel themselves as the old and young Edward Bloom. Finney as the worldly older version, who loves the sound of his own voice by passionately regaling all with his tall tales, is marvellous. He really captures the essence of a man who knows his time is coming to an end but still wants to be the centre of attention. Ewan McGregor is excellently cast as the young Edward, as he looks uncannily like Finney when he was that age. He plays the role with a gleeful confidence bringing fun and determination to the role. Even though both of them are British, their Southern US accents are spot on.

Tim Burton has surrounded his two Edwards with an abundance of talent. Billy Crudup’s reputation as a fine character actor continues to grow with another fine performance as William Bloom. This could have so easily have been an overly emotional character but Crudup plays him with just the right about of restraint and feeling to not overplay any of his interactions with Finney. Jessica Lange and Alison Lohan as the older and younger version of Sandra are superbly cast. Lohan looks uncannily like Lange and matches her mannerisms precisely, showing what an up and coming talent she really is. Lange is back on form with a very understated and tender performance, as her character comes to terms with losing the love of her life. In smaller roles, Danny DeVito, Steve Buscemi and Helena Bonham Carter shine, igniting the screen with their presence and adding real character to their roles. Matthew McGrory is also good as the friendly giant Karl.

Big Fish is the ultimate feel good movie. Brilliantly blurring the line between fantasy and reality, this heart-warming tale is impossible to dislike and anyone who does must have a heart of stone and no sense of wonder in their lives. This is an imaginative tale that grabs you from the off and never lets go. The movie is a return to fantastical form for Tim Burton who has at last freed himself from the shackles of the studio executives who were trying to contain his limitless imagination.

Visually stunning, insanely creative and beautifully acted with a story that will touch everyone, Big Fish is a classic. Catch it as quickly as you can.

Star Rating = * * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack, this is an excellent transfer. The picture quality captures the splendour and spectacle of Tim Burton’s unique visual style as the bright colours of the circus and darkness of the forest come to life on screen. The Dolby Digital surround sound is also first rate, especially during the forest scenes and the touching finale.

BONUS FEATURES

Director Tim Burton Commentary
More of an interview than an actual commentary track, Tim Burton talks about bringing Big Fish to the silver screen. He reveals secrets about the look and feel of the movie while discussing casting and shooting on location in Alabama. He also touchingly and openly talks about the emotional truth of the father and son story and how it parallels his own life and the death of his father. The interviewer from “Burton on Burton” does tend to get in the way however and seems far too nervous to be talking to a director of Burton’s unquestionable stature. It would have been far better if Burton had had just done the commentary himself or had some of the cast with him.

The Character’s Journey

Edward Bloom at Large (8.46 mins)

Director Tim Burton and stars Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney talk about the central character Edward Bloom and his fantastic adventures. With behind the scenes footage, the stars talk about his stories and what it was like playing the same character at different times in his life.

Amos at the Circus (4.38 mins)

Danny DeVito is Amos the Ringmaster as he takes you behind the scenes of the circus of freaks and the fantastical. Tim Burton reveals how he thinks Danny would actually make it in the circus if he ever decided to give up acting.

Father’s and Sons (7.21 mins)

Director Tim Burton, producers Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen and Richard D. Zanuck and stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Steve Buscemi talk about Big Fish’s underlying story, the tension between a father and son.

The Filmmaker’s Path

Tim Burton: Story Teller (6.45 mins)

Stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohan, Danny DeVito and Steve Buscemi talk about working with Tim Burton. The director himself talks about casting the duel roles in the movie, his unique shooting style and the fact that he wanted the film to be not that far from reality.

A Fairy Tale World (9.33 mins)

Director Tim Burton, producers Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks and Richard D. Zanuck, director of photography Philippe Rousselot, visual effects supervisor Kevin Mack, costume designer Collen Atwood and stars Helena Bonham Carter, Mathew McGrory and Steve Buscemi talk about the fantasy fairy tale style of Edward Bloom’s magical stories.

Creature Features (6.26 mins)

Special effects guru Stan Winston and effects supervisors Shane Martin, Lindsey Macgown and J. Alan Scott talk about creating the fantastical creatures and props of Big Fish. They take you behind the scenes of the making of the snake, werewolf, spiders, forest and the Handi-matic.

The Author’s Journey (7.58 mins)

Novelist Daniel Wallace and screenwriter John August talk about bringing Big Fish to the big screen. Form the saying “I didn’t want to be a big fish in a little pond” the two reveal how the characters came about, influences and setting the story in Alabama. Daniel Wallace also discusses his cameo in the film and his burgeoning career as a teacher.

Fish Tales
This feature allows you to watch the movie and at certain points watch the featurettes that are relevant to that scene.

The Finer Points: A Trivia Quiz
An interactive quiz that can be played while either watching the featurettes or on its own.

Trailers
The theatrical trailer for Big Fish and previews of Spider-Man 2, 50 First Dates, Radio and Mona Lisa Smile.

OVERALL
Big Fish is a tremendous film and Columbia/Tristar have done a good job bringing it to DVD. The featurettes are informative, if a tad short in parts but the inclusion of the quiz makes them more enjoyable. The commentary may not be the best but it is still a must listen for Tim Burton fans. Overall this is a must buy for fans and a astounding rent for those of you who haven’t discovered the magic of the film.

DVD Star Rating = * * *

Jamie Kelwick

Site Contents Copyright© The Z Review, unless used with permission.This site has no intention to infringe on the rights of the film owners of Big Fish and intellectual copyright holders of the movies mentioned herein & hold copyright over the movie, characters, merchandise & storyline.