Swordfish: Limited Edition — 4K UHD review

Swordfish, is a switch-your-brain-off blockbuster from the early 2000s makes its 4K UHD debut.

The Production: 3/5

Swordfish is a sublime example of not overthinking when it comes to big-budget Hollywood blockbusters. A frenzied blend of moods, ideas and stylized set pieces intentionally evoking earlier, more groundbreaking thrillers, director Dominic Sena marshals an impressive cast through an increasingly byzantine and — especially with the advancements in understanding and deployment of computer technology over 20 years — almost operatically absurd plot, derived from Skip Woods’ screenplay.

Still, for all of its numerous shortcomings, Swordfish remains the sort of glamorously trashy fun which often bypasses theaters entirely now in favor of streaming services. John Travolta amps up his lethal charms as Gabriel Shear, a dapper criminal of unclear allegiance, who enlists convicted hacker Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman, less than a year removed from his breakout role as Wolverine in 2000’s X-Men) to help him pry loose nine-and-a-half billion dollars from a well-hidden corner of the United States government in order to do something which sounds noble, but ultimately doesn’t really matter much.

Tossed into the mix is the mysterious Ginger (Halle Berry), an ally of Gabriel’s, and dogged federal agent Roberts (Don Cheadle), both of whom need Stanley’s allegiance for different reasons. (The cast is fairly stacked: Vinnie Jones, Sam Shepard, Drea de Matteo and Zach Grenier also turn up.)

The narrative falls apart if subjected to much scrutiny, but with a willing suspension of disbelief, mostly hurtles along under its own internal logic. The frantic escalation of stakes — Stanley only wants to reunite with his estranged daughter, while Gabriel is after something much larger — keeps Swordfish careening from its Matrix rip-off (the bullet-time treatment of a pivotal explosion was a key selling point in Swordfish’s marketing) to its nod to Speed (a getaway bus goes airborne near the climax). Tucked in there, of course, is Berry’s infamous topless scene, which, while it was the source of an enormous amount of pre-film publicity at the time, seems even more ill-considered in hindsight and, frankly, much ado about nothing.

Swordfish is enjoyable enough for what it is — audiences agreed, as the film grossed more than $147 million worldwide, against an estimated budget of $102 million — and there’s a kick in seeing Travolta deliver Quentin Tarantino-lite monologues, or Vinnie Jones glowering or Jackman very nearly turns an extended, wordless hacking sequence into a miniature dance recital. While it doesn’t quite get away with everything, in trying to mount an audacious fusion of many other, often better films, Swordfish delivers an occasionally pulse-pounding distraction.

Video: 5/5

3D Rating: NA

For its 4K UHD debut, Arrow Films undertook a brand-new restoration of the 35mm camera negative of Swordfish, working from a 4K, 16-bit scan of the original 35mm camera negative, which was provided by Warner Bros. The film is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 in 2160p resolution, and with a Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR10) grade applied. Per Arrow Films, this restored image was approved by director Dominic Sena.

Swordfish looks largely phenomenal, with just a few minor hiccups. Finely resolved grain, vivid colors and rich detail evident in facial features, clothing and automobiles make this the definitive home video presentation. Black levels are rock solid throughout, and there is a sharpness and vibrancy showcasing Paul Cameron’s dynamic cinematography.

There are moments of softness here and there — the bullet-time sequence lacks a crispness evident in other sections of the film — but generally, there’s little trace of any print damage or other notable visual defect, aside from the inherent softness at the edges of the anamorphic image, detracting from the visual presentation.

Audio: 5/5

Swordfish is outfitted with a pair of audio options: A DTS-HD MA 5.1 track and a DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo track. The pair of DTS-HD MA tracks were sourced from Warner Bros. Befitting a film built around extended action sequences and fueled by a throbbing Paul Oakenfold and Christopher Young score, the soundtrack gets a substantial workout. Gunfire and explosions have satisfying heft and depth, with a car bombing scene delivering a particularly delightful punch.

The bullet-time explosion sequence also gives the surround channels a fantastic workout, as the camera pans a full 360 degrees around the mayhem, shattered glass tinkling as debris flies and fire roars. Dialogue, whether spoken or shouted, is heard clearly, and there’s no distortion, drop-out or other audible defects evident throughout either track. Optional English subtitles are also included.

Special Features: 4/5

Arrow Films has included an extensive suite of supplements for its edition of Swordfish, porting over all existing bonus features (albeit in standard definition) and contributing a couple new pieces for fans. Dominic Sena contributes a commentary track, while in the featurette “Soundtrack Hacker,” Paul Oakenfold sits for a new interview (12:31; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.78:1 and 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen), as does production designer Jeff Mann in the featurette “How to Design a Tech Heist” (20:49; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.78:1 and 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen).

Also included is the “HBO First Look: Swordfish” featurette (15:02; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.33:1 fullscreen); “Effects in Focus: The Flying Bus” (8:14; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.33:1 fullscreen); the music video “Planet Rock Club Reel” (4:11; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen); “Swordfish: In Conversation,” which features interviews with Jackman, Travolta, Berry, Cheadle, Shepard, Sena and producer Joel Silver (12:47; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.33:1 fullscreen); a pair of alternate endings with optional Sena commentary (5:56 in aggregate; DTS 2.0 stereo; 1.33:1 fullscreen) and the film’s theatrical trailer (2:12; DTS 2.0 stereo; 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen).

As Arrow did not provide a final, retail version of the set for advance review, I can’t speak to the slipcase or the disc case, which, per press materials, features both original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket. The limited-edition set includes additional supplemental material — according to press materials; I have not seen these elements — a double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commission artwork from Tommy Pocket, as well as an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film from Priscilla Page and an article from American Cinematographer about the film’s opening sequence. Should Arrow provide a final, retail version of the set, I’ll update this review accordingly.

Overall: 4/5

Swordfish is a sublime example of not overthinking when it comes to big-budget Hollywood blockbusters. A frenzied blend of moods, ideas and stylized set pieces intentionally evoking earlier, more groundbreaking thrillers, director Dominic Sena marshals an impressive cast through an increasingly byzantine and — especially with the advancements in understanding and deployment of computer technology over 20 years — almost operatically absurd plot, derived from Skip Woods’ screenplay.

Swordfish is enjoyable enough for what it is — audiences agreed, as the film grossed more than $147 million worldwide, against an estimated budget of $102 million — and there’s a kick in seeing John Travolta deliver Quentin Tarantino-lite monologues, or Vinnie Jones glowering or Hugh Jackman very nearly turns an extended, wordless hacking sequence into a miniature dance recital. While it doesn’t quite get away with everything, in trying to mount an audacious fusion of many other, often better films, Swordfish delivers an occasionally pulse-pounding distraction.

Arrow Films’ limited edition 4K set provides the film’s fans with a definitive home video presentation, thanks to a fantastic visual restoration and substantial bonus features. Recommended.

Swordfish [Limited Edition] [4K UHD]

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