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Dragonfly
Studio: Universal
Year: 2002
Rated: PG-13
Film Length: 105 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (2.35:1)
When someone you love dies...
are they gone forever?
Dr. Joe Darrow (Kevin Costner) is a caring
emergency-room doctor whose even more caring
physician wife, Emily (Susanna Thompson), dies
in a bus accident in a remote village in Venezuela
while working for the Red Cross.
The body has yet to be found, and you would
think Joe would be devastated by all this.
In fact, we rarely see any emotion from Joe
as he goes about his daily business at the
county hospital.
Promising to check on all the sick children his
wife cared for, he finds all kids he visits (who
have had near-death experiences) are drawing the
same mysterious symbol. Furthermore, the kids keep
telling him that his wife is trying to contact him
to tell him something important.
Joe begins to believe that Emily is trying to
communicate with him - from the other side. While
Joe's co-workers and friends worry about his mental
stability, Joe comes to realize that he must draw
on faith - rather than fact - for answers to his
questions.
There is nothing worse than watching a film
that tries to ride the coat tails of "The
Sixth Sense" and fails on most every level --
especially the use of the great cast involved.
What the heck was Costner thinking when he
signed on to this film? Costner sleepwalks
through the whole thing. His character's journey
is so overwhelmingly dull that you can't help but
feel bored by his intense struggles. Even Oscar
winners Kathy Bathes and Linda Hunt are totally
wasted in parts that are mere cameos.
The film is overwhelmingly predictable, and
though it promises "a knockout ending that will
blow you away", you can trust this reviewer that
it's not worth the trip getting to this film's
lackluster ending that is more cute than knockout.
How is the transfer?
The transfer looks very good. Most of the
first half of the film takes place in dimly
lit settings, such as inside the hospital or
inside Joe's darkened house. These scenes show
off hints of video noise, but nothing distracting.
Colors look very natural, including those of
facial tones. Print remains very clean with no
blemishes.
The 5.1 DTS soundtrack sound quite good. As
always, DTS provides a very open sound field,
allowing the smallest noises to peak through
with great clarity. This film contains a lot
of rain, wind, and thunder that always seems to
properly envelope the viewing area. The creaking
of doors or the sounds of strange footsteps from
above come through with amazing clarity, adding
to the film's spookier scenes. This is a very
strong sound mix despite the fact there was very
little LFE response from my subwoofer.
Special Features
A full-length commentary features Director
Tom Shadyac.
Spotlight On Location is one of those
cable channel fluff pieces that has the Director
and major cast members (including Costner) talking
about the film's story and their individual
characters. Writer David Seltzer explains his
view on the human condition during joy and pain.
Director Tom Shadyac talks about the "lyrical"
method of photography he used in this film to
pull us into Joe's character. Using full and
split screens we watch the Director and cast
shooting the Venezuela grave scene.
(length: 13 minutes)
There are nearly 12 minutes of deleted scenes
that play in one continuous mode. They include
an operation sequence with Joe removing a dying
woman's fetus without consultation; A ghostly
appearance in Joe's darkened house by the dying
black boy; Joe playing racquetball with his
doctor friend as he discusses near-death experiences;
Flashbacks of Joe listening to his wife's pregnant
stomach; Joe sighting a ghostly image of his wife
in the hospital corridors.
The quality of the deleted scenes are a tad rough,
and they do add a bit more spook factor to the film,
though I think the Director probably felt it was
overkill.
An interview with author Betty Eadie who explains
her near-death experience. I found it to be a
very interesting story (if you choose to believe
it) about a woman who claims what happened to her
during her 4 hours of being dead.
(length: approx. 6 minutes)
Rounding up the extras are Production Notes
and a Cast & Fimmmaker filmography.
In addition to the film's original theatrical
trailer, a trailer for The Scorpion King
is shown at the very beginning, as well as a
Universal DVD promo in the supplements area.
DVD-ROM contents contains screensavers,
wallpaper and links to Universal internet website
content.
Final Thoughts
Hey guys -- know what makes this movie worth a
rental? It's a decent date movie. Women are going
to connect to this film better than you. Your date
will cuddle close to you during the film's spooky
supernatural encounters, probably grabbing you a
few times. By the time the film ends you will
probably find yourself napping, but your girlfriend
will have soggy eyes as she oogles over the cutesy
ending.
The rest of you without dates should just skip
this one altogether.
Release Date: July 30, 2002
