Stealth DVD Review:

The near future. An elite trio of pilots have been selected to fly three of the most advanced stealth fighter jets in the world. Kara Wade (Biel), Henry Purcell (Foxx) and Lt. Ben Gannon (Lucas) are those pilots and they are the best the US Navy has and their new frontline force in the continuing fight against terrorists. As they are deployed to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, their commanding officer Capt. George Cummings (Shepard) informs them that a fourth wingman is joining the team but this is no ordinary pilot, it is the first plane controlled by its own artificial intelligence.

The premise of artificial intelligence becoming self-aware is a common theme in science fiction but can ‘Stealth’ bring anything new to the genre? No but it is entertaining all the same.

Whenever you see director Rob Cohen’s name attached to a movie you know what you are going to get. The man behind hits like ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and ‘xXx’ can guarantee you that he will deliver action but you can also be assured that there won’t be much in the way of character development or story. ‘Stealth’ is no different. With the main story been an amalgamation of ‘Top Gun’, ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ and ‘Short Circuit’, the sections between the action sequences do little other push you to the next budget eating shot and have little time for much character or plot development other than to put the characters in more jeopardy or give you a little insight into their lives outside of the cockpit.

The cast do their best with what they have but they deserve much more. Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel and especially Jamie Foxx are good actors who can easily cope with drama and added character development. Instead we have clichéd characters that don’t really engage you as much as they should. Josh Lucas’s Lt. Ben Gannon is you stereotypical elite flyer, full of self-confidence and not afraid to disobey orders to complete the mission. Kara Wade sees Jessica Biel as the intelligent beauty, who wants to get the same recognition in a male oriented environment. Jamie Foxx is the overly confident ladies man Henry Purcell who isn’t afraid of telling any woman what he does for a living, if it will get them into bed. All of these characters we have met before is some kind of connotation and the script does little to make them standout from the rest.

The shortcoming of the story and characters are off shot by some exhilarating flying sequences. When the trio get into their planes, this is when the movie really takes off. Some stunning computer generated effects create thrilling sequences that take you into the cockpit and really convey that feeling of speed and flight. Aerial dogfights, flying under the radar and amazing bombing runs combine to make ‘Stealth’ a visual treat for special effects fans.

‘Stealth’ is a no brainer action flick that, despite its character and story deficiencies is still an entertaining romp. Director Rob Cohen can always be relied upon to deliver in the action department and this movie is no different but it looks like we are going to have to wait for him to be able to get the balance of action and story right. This aside, you should make ‘Stealth’ visible on your film-going radar.

Star Rating = * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well, highlighting the excellent visual effects.

BONUS FEATURES

The music of Stealth (23.35 mins)
Director Rob Cohen, producer Neal Maritz, president of worldwide music for Sony Pictures Entertainment Lia Vollack, director of photography Dean Semher, composer BT and Incubus band members Brandon Lloyd and Michael Emziger talk about designing the score and soundtrack for ‘Stealth’. The featurette looks at how the soundtrack is influenced by the tone and intensity of the story and the director explains how important he feels about the sound and music reflects the story they are trying to tell. This is an interesting featurette and it shows how hands-on Rob Cohen is with all of his film’s production.

Music Video: Incubus ‘Make a move’ (3.39 mins)
Watch the promotional video that includes footage from the movie

Trailers
Previews of ‘The Longest Yard’, ‘The Legend of Zorro’, ‘Bewitched’ and ‘Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children’

OVERALL

The decision just to include a featurette about the music of the movie is a very strange one. This was a DVD crying out for special features about the planes, the future of combat aircraft and the visual effects but there is nothing here. When you realise that this is a Sony DVD as well you are even more baffled, as they are usually feature packed.



Jamie Kelwick