Memorable 'Private Ryan' offers nothing new on DVD

People will not remember this past year's Oscars for what won Best Picture (it was the very overrated "Shakespeare in Love," for the record), but for what didn't win - "Saving Private Ryan." And for those of you who don't realize what a travesty this is, now you can check out "Ryan" in beautiful widescreen on DVD.

Though "Ryan" is better suited to the big screen, with a great sound system and a huge TV, DVD captures the film as best it can on the small screen. "Ryan"'s bold visuals and breathtaking action come to life as Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and company try to rescue Private James Ryan (Matt Damon).

Courtesy of Dreamworks Pictures Jeremy Davies, Adam Goldberg, Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore relax before battle in "Saving Private Ryan."

What makes Steven Spielberg's "Ryan" one of the great all-time war movies is the style with which he reconceives the war film formula. Spielberg and screenwriter Robert Rodat take the motley company of soldiers thrown together by circumstances and the war trying to survive their mission. Spielberg, Rodat and the talented cast carry out their mission with style and heart.

Unfortunately, Spielberg failed to put any heart into the making of the DVD. This proclaimed special edition has little special on it, with the exception of the film itself. At the end of the film Spielberg gives a speech about why you should donate money to the New Orleans D-Day Museum. Easy for him to say - if he cares so much let him give the money from the DVD sales instead of having a pledge drive after a movie you've paid over $20 to own.

Also on the DVD is a sometimes interesting mix of a making of featurette with some of the human history of D-Day. Having real people recall what it was like storming the beach in Normandy is a nice touch, but not enough for Dreamworks to really call this disc special.

What this film needs is a commentary rant with Spielberg telling the Weinsteins (the heads of Miramax whose big money campaign won the Oscar for "Shakespeare in Love") that he's gunning for them after they stole his Oscar. If not that, maybe him just telling where he came up with the visual and visceral concept for the film.

11-11-99