Windtalkers DVD Review:


The Movie

In 1942, several hundred Navajo Americans were recruited as Marines and trained to use their language as code. Marine Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) is assigned to protect Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) - a Navajo Code Talker, the Marines' new secret weapon. Enders' orders are to protect his code talker, but if Yahzee should fall into enemy hands, he's to "protect the code at all costs." Against the backdrop of the horrific Battle of Saipan, when capture is imminent, Enders is forced to make a decision: if he can't protect his fellow Marine, can he bring himself to kill him to protect the code? The Navajo code was the only one never broken by the Japanese, and is considered to have been key in winning the war.

The concept behind Windtalkers was unprecedented but the film itself stumbles. A great deal of the film simply seems borrowed from other war films. The fight sequences model the graphic nature of Glory and Saving Private Ryan yet lacking the same conclusion. Windtalkers incorporated a hail of bullets and a tremendous body count, many of which we view in slow motion – John Woo style.

I felt the film concerned itself more with the obvious personification of war instead of the bravery behind the Navajo code talkers. Windtalkers tells a meaningful story and infrequently it does so in a overbearing and inspiring way. Unfortunately, its overbearing moments are undermined by too much emphasis on armed conflict, which leads the film to a heroic defeat.

The Video

Windtalkers is presented in both an aspect ration of 2.35:1 and Pan & Scan on this single-sided, dual layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16x9 television. Overall, the picture was favorable. Sharpness appeared fine. I noticed no problems related to jagged edges, and I saw no signs of edge enhancement. Windtalkers looked clean with moderate amounts of grain in its transfer. Black levels appeared nicely deep and dense; shadow detail was smooth. I felt Windtalkers presented a commendable image.

The Audio

Windtalkers is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. The film offered a wonderfully active soundfield. The track worked best during the battle sequences, and those scenes really boomed. Explosions, Jets, tanks and bullets moved around the entire range in an impressive style. The audio panned cleanly across the channels and the whole sound blended together precisely. Dialogue seemed natural and clear. Music came across brilliant and intense. The bass response sounded deep and close. All in all, the audio performance of Windtalkers brought the action to life.

The Extras

-Feature production notes

-Trailers

That's all there is!!!

Overall

I thought the meaning behind Windtalkers was commendable, but the films lagging plot made me loose interest quickly. Aside from its bare bones roster of extras, the DVD offers generally positive picture along with excellent audio. I can’t recommend this film, but on the other hand if this type of movie seems like it may interest you, then it’s at least worth a rental.

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