Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Dead Again Blu-ray Movie Review

A noir-style thriller with a dark atmosphere. Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Thor).

Dead Again is a mystery-thriller executive produced by Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie). Featuring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson in the leading roles, Dead Again also co-stars Andy Garcia as Gray Baker and Robin Williams as Dr. Cozy Carlisle. A brooding mystery with parallel story-lines, Dead Again is an experimental and off-beat 90s production.

Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh) is a hot-shot detective in Los Angeles attempting to help a mute amnesia victim, Grace (Emma Thompson). As the dark and twisty story unfolds, the film begins alternating between two story-lines: past and present. The past story-line represents an alternate timeline (one in which Grace went by Margaret Strauss and Mike was known as Roman Strauss). Married in the alternate timeline, Margaret Strauss might have been murdered by her husband. Was everything just an illusion? Can Mike Church help save Grace from her amnesia?

The performances are one of the best elements of Dead Again. Kenneth Branagh is a strong actor, delivering a quality performance in the lead role. Emma Thompson is similarly great in her part. Thompson is a particularly skilled actor and she brings forth an outstanding performance. Both performers well opposite one another and the efforts are commendable. Bravo.

The production design by Tim Harvey (Hamlet, Henry V) is effective at giving the film a dark and brooding atmosphere. While not a top-tier effort, the production design fits the filmmaking well. Certainly a strong enough effort to help Dead Again find a Noir like style (with an abundance of atmosphere). Similarly, the stylized art direction by Sydney Z. Litwack (Marilyn: The Untold Story, Point of No Return) manages to imbue the filmmaking with some unique creativity. A decent effort by Litwack.

The cinematography by Matthew F. Leonetti (Strange Days, The Butterfly Effect) is one of the best components of the filmmaking. The visuals are strong throughout the feature-film. The film has a alternating style that ebbs and flows between color and black-and-white cinematography. This is undeniably one of the finer points of the entire production (as it helps differentiate the two story timelines).

A dash of black-and-white.

The music score composed by Patrick Doyle (Gosford Park, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) is effective at imbuing the production with some decent atmosphere as well. The score provides the production with a decent aura of suspense. The music is a nice back-drop to the narrative of the filmmaking.

One of the must impressive and under-the-radar elements of Dead Again is the costumes by Phyllis Dalton (The Princess Bride, Doctor Zhivago). These are wonderful costumes. A fitting effort that fits the style and tone of each storyline. The costumes for Emma Thompson are particularly good.

Despite some strong production merits, one of the worst elements of Dead Again is the screenplay by Scott Frank (Out of Sight, Minority Report). Despite an excellent screenwriter involved in the project (as Frank is a capable and entertaining writer), Dead Again is enormously convoluted and confusing. The screenplay alternates back-and-forth between the two story-lines and it is hard to follow what is happening and how the events are connected. The story is a mess and one that leaves one feeling a bit befuddled. Despite some quality dialogue (especially for Robin Williams), the script is simply too “out there” for it to work completely.

Edited by Peter E. Berger (Save the Last Dance, Fatal Attraction), Dead Again could have used a better cut. The film seems badly paced and the way the editing transitions back-and-forth between the two overlapping storylines could have been managed better by Berger. Some material could have simply been edited more thoroughly. Some material should have been left on the cutting room floor.

Kenneth Branagh (Thor, Hamlet) provides Dead Again with excellent atmosphere and production values. Branagh brings forth a great performance for himself and manages to help his entire cast perform admirably. Yet the convoluted script and haphazard editing makes Dead Again feel a bit underwhelming. Despite Branagh's excellent voice as a filmmaker, Dead Again is merely a decent thriller (weighed down by its convoluted nature).

Dead Again Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Imprint, Dead Again is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The scan used alternates between black and white and color cinematography. The visuals are effective. Yet the presentation is somewhat average-at-best. The print has some telecine wear and it looks to be a somewhat older and outdated master. Though its nice to see in high-definition, keeps expectations modest.

Dead Again Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound presentation. An uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo track is also provided as an option. The lossless surround sound is a nice inclusion. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand throughout the film. The music score is well reproduced. The surround sound stage is well utilized and the makes the filmmaking enveloping.

Optional English subtitles (for the deaf and hard of hearing) are also provided.

Dead Again Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes in an attractive clear case with an slip-box and alternative art-work. The cover sleeve features an additional image from the feature-film.

Audio commentary with producer Lindsay Doran and screenwriter Scott Frank (2000)

Audio commentary with director and star Kenneth Branagh (2000)

A Cut Above: Dead Again and the Lost Art of the Hollywood Thriller (HD, 16:49) is a newly produced visual essay by Ian Mantgani (2020). The essay is an entertaining and informative one, exploring the history of Kenneth Branagh as a filmmaker and the cinematic influences on the 90s thriller.

Dead Again Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:21)

Dead Again Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dead Again is a convoluted and complex thriller with a dark atmosphere. The performances by Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson are the highlight of the film. Alas, the screenplay is underwhelming and the alternating timelines are confusing to watch unfold. The direction by Branagh is solid (even if the film isn't as successful as it wants to be). The Blu-ray release features a decent (if dated) presentation. Rent It.