Millions DVD Review:

Moving to a new house, Damian (Etel) builds himself a den next to the train tracks in the field next to the estate. While watching a train go by, a huge bag falls from the sky and almost destroys the den. Opening it, Damian discovers that it is full of money. Telling his brother Anthony, the pair has to come up with a plan of what to do with because there is only fourteen days left before the UK switches to the Euro and the money will no longer be legal tender.

Once in a while a film comes along that takes you totally by surprise and ‘Millions’ is one of those movies.

Director Danny Boyle, who is best known for his more adult orientated movies like ‘Trainspotting’, ’28 Days Later’ and ‘Shallow Grave’, moves into the family picture genre and produces a real gem. A simple story about what brothers would do if they found a huge bag of money is given the Danny Boyle visual touch to turn this into an excellent feel good movie.

Here we have Damien and Anthony, boys who have recently lost their mother and both with differing opinions on what they should do with the money. Damien knows everything about Saints, having been convinced that his mother will become one, so he wants to give the money to the poor or charities. Anthony uses the cash to gain influence in his new school but still wants to do good with their gains. Neither of them wants to get caught however as they only have fourteen days to decide what they want to do because of the Euro change over that renders the pound redundant. This premise opens the story up to many a fun moment but Doyle injects his usual slice of darkness by creating a character that wants the money back.

Bringing this heart-warming and uplifting story to life are two extremely good performances by two up and coming new stars. Alex Etel and Lewis Owen McGibbon are exceptional as Damien and Anthony. Etel lights up the screen as Damien, the boy who can only see the good in people who gets advice from Saints about life and his dilemma over the money. McGibbon is also extremely good as Anthony, the older brother who just happens to be a wiz with money. The pair together drive the film, captivating you from the off and drawing you into their incredible story.

The support is also good. Jimmy Nesbitt is as good as ever as the boys father Ronnie, even though his role is quite small. Daisy Donavan makes the transition from comedic TV presenter to actress very well as Ronnie new girlfriend, Dorothy. There is also a scene stealing performance from Pearce Quigley, as the hilarious Community Policeman.

‘Millions’ is an excellent example of a feel good family film. Danny Boyle proves again that he is an extremely gifted filmmaker, whatever the genre he inhabits, by creating a movie that will put a smile on your face for a very long time.

Star Rating = * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, the movie is presented very well.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary
Director Danny Boyle and writer Frank Cotterell Boyce come together to talk about bringing ‘Millions’ to the silver screen. The pair talks about the influences behind the story and the Pound-Euro subplot that drives the film. They also talk about the casting of the adult and child actors for the movie, highlighting the extensive search they went through to find Damien and Anthony. This is a chatty and fun commentary from two men very invested in the film.

DVD Cut down (3.48 mins)
Watch a specially edited version of the entire movie set to music in just under four minutes.

Theatrical trailer and TV spots (3.10 mins)
The full trailer and three TV advertisements for the cinematic release of the film.

Deleted Scenes (29.03 mins)
Entitled ‘Keegan’s punch’, ‘Vat man’, ‘Damien’s dream, Anthony’s nightmare’, ‘Loft Saints’, ‘Shushhhhhh’, ‘Duffel and wallpaper’, ‘The applicants’, ‘Chuggers’ and ‘Raw Attic, these deleted and extended scenes are good but with a commentary track or introduction we don’t know why they were removed.

Behind the scenes (13.26 mins)
Director Danny Boyle, writer Frank Cottrell Boyce, producer Graham Broadbent and stars Alexander Etel, Lewis Owen McGibbon, James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan and Christopher Fulford take you behind the scenes of ‘Millions’. The group talk about the story and the characters, revealing the mix of reality and fantasy. They also talk about the spirit of the films and what the cast brought to the characters. This is a better than average making of… with the group talking very frankly and enthusiastically about the film.

Auditions (10.52 mins)
Watch a montage of footage from the auditions to find Damien and Anthony as the kids get asked ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’, ‘What is the naughtiest thing you have ever done?’, ‘What’s the most money you can think of ?’, ‘What would you do if you found a million pounds?’ and ‘Have you heard of the film Trainspotting?’.

Badgered (7.06 mins)
A short film chosen by director Danny Boyle to showcase new British talents, this is Sharon Colman’s graduation film about a how a badger comes into contact with the nuclear arms race.

Water (1.37 mins)
A promotional advertisement that showcases the charity that Damien chose in the film.

Trailers
Previews of ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘The Perfect Catch’ and ‘Fantastic Four’

OVERALL

This is an excellent single-disc presentation for Danny Boyle’s excellent feel good movie. The making of… is good, the commentary is fun and informative and the rest of the extra features are first rate. Fans of the movie will be very pleased with this release.



Jamie Kelwick