Sleeping Dogs
Starring: Sam Neill, Warren Oates, Nevan Rowe, Ian Mune
Directed: Roger Donaldson
Studio: Arrow Academy
Format: Blu-Ray
Disc Release Date: April 17, 2018
About:
Adapted from C.K. Stead s novel Smith s Dream, Sleeping Dogs almost single-handedly kickstarted the New Zealand New Wave, demonstrating that homegrown feature films could resonate with both local and international audiences, and launching the big-screen careers of director Roger Donaldson (No Way Out, Species) and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Possession).
Neill in his first lead role in a feature plays Smith, a man escaping the break-up of his marriage by finding isolation on an island off the Coromandel Peninsula. As he settles into his new life, the country is experiencing its own turmoil: an oil embargo has led to martial law and civil war, into which Smith reluctantly finds himself increasingly involved.
Co-starring Warren Oates (Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia) as the commander of a US army unit drawn into the conflict, Sleeping Dogs is simultaneously a political thriller, a personal drama and a true landmark in New Zealand cinema
My Review:
Sleeping Dogs Stars a Young Sam Neill , Jurassic Park Fame and his character is trapped between two sides that are at war with another. He doesn’t want to be apart of it but is dragged in from both sides, The Government has Questions via Torture and the Guerrillas forces him in with them in ways he has no idea he is even apart of it. Will he pick a side? Who is right and who is wrong? Will are lead even survive?
The story is a good follow but does lag in some spots. The acting is god but the film isn’t a classic 5 star film and its hit with a medium rating. For me I did enjoy the film and found it interesting how are lead plays things out as he tries to stay out of all the war stuff or from picking a side to take for most of the film. But slowly does come around to one side as its forced by both parties. The action is OK not a ton it. I Enjoyed seeing Sam Neill looking pretty young and is his first major role.
Overall the film was a good watch but again can get slow in spots. I say if you’re looking to see The Guy from Jurassic Park make his start, give this one a shot. The Blu-Ray looks good as well with good colors and sharpness.
With that said I Give this film a 3.5 out of 5. Try it out.
Extras:
- High Definition (Blu-ray) presentation
- Original mono audio (uncompressed LPCM)
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Commentary by writer-director Roger Donaldson, actor Sam Neill and actor-writer Ian Mune
- The Making of Sleeping Dogs, a 65-minute documentary on the film s production featuring interviews with Donaldson, Neill, Mune, Geoff Murphy and others
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sean Phillips
- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Neil Mitchell, a contemporary review by Pauline Kael and the original press book