The Men Who Stare at Goats Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Men Who Stare at Goats Blu-ray Movie Review

This Blu-ray release from Starz/Anchor Bay is worth some serious staring.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 23, 2010

We must become the first superpower to develop super powers.

What's in a title? There are those like Star Wars and "Star Trek" that encompass everything their respective programming is about at a very base level. They're concise, easily recognizable and remembered, and short on syllables. Others can be a bit more of a mouthful, but at the same time convey a deeper thematic element to a story and lend weight to its true meaning and purpose that's not always readily evident as the film plays out, No Country For Old Men being an excellent example. Then there's something like The Men Who Stare at Goats. It's long but not complex, telling but not wholly revealing, playful but not completely absurd. If nothing else, the name is an attention-grabber not only because of its length but because of its unique string of words, words that are reflective of one of the picture's crucial elements but not, at least one would hope before viewing, quite as straightforward as Star Wars in what the movie has to offer. Fortunately, The Men Who Stare at Goats does go well beyond 90 minutes of men staring at goats, the film playing out as an enjoyable romp through the alluring world of supernatural mental discipline set against the backdrop of the modern battlefield, both elements enjoying a wonderfully light tone that makes the film as easygoing and refreshing as its unique title so smartly suggests.

More of this is true than you would believe.

Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor, Angels & Demons) is assigned the task of interviewing a sweaty and nervous former military operative and self-proclaimed psychic Gus Lacey (Stephen Root, Office Space) who spills the beans on the Army's secretive program to train gifted individuals to hone their paranormal mental abilities for use in combating the enemy in new and disturbingly dark and mysterious ways. Gus tells him of Lyn Cassady, the most prolific of such men, but Bob shrugs the interview off as the rantings of a disturbed mind. When Bob's wife leaves him, he packs his bags and heads to Iraq to cover the war. There, he has a chance meeting with Cassady (George Clooney, Up in the Air) who through their many adventures in the Middle east tells Bob a more detailed history of the New Earth Army (or "NEA") that sought to harness psychic powers for use in the modern battlefield. Bob learns of the movement's founder, a Vietnam veteran-turned-hippie Bill Django (Jeff Bridges, The Open Road), and Lyn's arch rival in the program, Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey, 21), who, unlike Lyn, sought to use his powers for far darker, devious, and dangerous purposes. As Bob and Lyn embark on an adventure that allows them to experience what the Iraq war is all about, they form a bond that sees Bob come to believe and embrace the reality of the NEA and see his new friend Lyn -- and those like him -- in a brand new light.

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a lighthearted and well-paced film that's easy to become lost in thanks to its quality performances and an alluring story of the plausibly absurd that slowly comes together like a puzzle that's challenging but not excessively complex. Indeed, the film often features something of a "Twilight Zone" feel to it where some abnormal element has been injected into an otherwise straightforward and everyday environment, giving the movie a completely surreal feel. It's nevertheless very well balanced between exploring the heavier world of psychological warfare and phenomena against a far lighter tone that doesn't sacrifice believability but does lend something of a tongue-in-cheek, wink-and-a-nod playful feel to the movie. For every moment in the film that's potentially or actually emotionally challenging or otherwise examining some dark or disturbing action, revelation, or situation, there's an offsetting comedic undertone that keeps the movie fluid and entertaining through its wonderful juxtaposition of weighty material and comically-slanted or sometimes completely absurd dialogue, actions, developments, or visuals. Director Grant Heslov lends a sense of order to the movie in the midst of its jovial tone, pulling off the balancing act that's required to juggle a movie that's packed with many situations as awkward as, for instance, a flower-power 1960s retread who's dressed in camouflage and belting out instructions to his men a la R. Lee Ermey.

On the flip side, The Men Who Stare at Goats can sometimes come off as just a bit clumsy and piecemeal when things do slow down, and Ewan McGregor's narration and actual performance occasionally plays as slightly stilted, lacking a bit in energy, confused, or downright bored. It's also a film that requires something of a more thorough watch to ensure a fuller understanding of the several plot developments and story nuances that are crucial to gaining a broader appreciation of the movie and its layered nuances. Though The Men Who Stare at Goats works in large part thanks to its light tone, it's nevertheless something of a thinking man's movie that's not exactly primed for a sleepy late night viewing. No matter, though, because it's more likely than not to engage its audience with its clever approach to adding subtle wit to what is already the seriously absurd and sometimes flat-out weird, with doses of drama and action tossed in for good measure. As to the performances outside of McGregor's -- though the film does use him as something of a (perhaps unintentional) running gag about the whole "psy-ops as Jedi" reoutine -- The Men Who Stare at Goats shines. George Clooney is once again in rare form, playing up the part with a combination of comic zeal that recalls his effort in O Brother Where Art Though? and a borderline melancholy and often serious flair that makes his an enjoyably unique character. Bridges impresses as a wounded Vietnam veteran-turned founder of the NEA, the actor seeming right at home with a braided ponytail, wielding a handful of flowers, and dressed and Army camo. Kevin Spacey's turn is a bit more on the dour side, reflective of his character and nicely played, but the character could stand a few more minutes of screen time.

The Men Who Stare at Goats Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Gaze into The Men Who Stare at Goats to unearth a quality 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. This image can appear slightly dark during interior scenes, but it livens up considerably elsewhere, whether in the hot Middle Eastern Desert, the steamy fields of Vietnam, or the war-torn cityscapes of Iraq. Colors are eye-popping in many of these locales; whether green vegetation, sandy terrains, or anything and everything in between, The Men Who Stare at Goats offers some fine coloring throughout during its exterior scenes. These exteriors also present far more depth and deliver more intricate details than do the rather bland interiors, though there sometimes remains a hint of softness around some edges. Flesh tones vary from person to person throughout the film, and facial detailing looks unnaturally smooth in some scenes. Fine detail elsewhere ranges from acceptable to startling; wrinkly and baggy shirts tend to flow well and look great, as does a layer of caked-on mud seen on Bill Djangos' face during the picture's Vietnam flashback sequence. Also featuring rich blacks and a bit of film grain that lends to the image a pleasant film-like texture, this Blu-ray release of The Men Who Stare at Goats should impress its audience from a visual perspective.

The Men Who Stare at Goats Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Men Who Stare at Goats debuts on Blu-ray with a solid Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Much like the film's video presentation, this is one of those "solidly unremarkable" soundtracks that doesn't really stand out from the crowd but is in no way deficient or of otherwise substandard quality. The track is well-balanced and a pleasure from start to finish, with a wide array of elements included in the mix that cover every major category. The track enjoys a wonderful sonic atmosphere throughout; the Vietnam flashback sequence in particular comes alive a robust environmental structure, where buzzing insects and distant gunshots envelop the listener, followed soon thereafter by an eruption of M-16 fire that screeches nicely through the listening area. The spurts of rock music that pepper the track are also wonderfully delivered, robust and upbeat with a strong sense of clarity and a noticeably potent low end. Sound moves effortlessly through the speakers as needed; vehicles drive through the streets of Iraq and seem to move at the same time through the physical soundstage rather than simply from one part of the screen to the next. A firefight in the same location places the listener in the midst of the action as bullets zip all through the listening area and shots ring out in strings from several locales. Though the film's more aggressive sequences are few and far between, the track delivers when called upon. Rounded out by a stable and clear dialogue presentation, The Men Who Stare at Goats offers listeners another quality lossless soundtrack from Starz.

The Men Who Stare at Goats Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of The Men Who Stare at Goats offers viewers several bonus features, chief among them a pair of audio commentary tracks. Track one features Director Grant Heslov who delivers an affable and easygoing track that's oftentimes equal parts anecdotal and substantial. Heslov speaks on the quality of his actors and how they were used in the film, the facts surrounding the story found in the film and the book on which it is based, shooting locations and sets, special effects, and more. Like the film, this is a solid track that won't excite every listener, but fans of the film will find plenty of value here. The second track features book Author Jon Ronson who speaks in a hushed tone and delivers a more focused commentary that covers how the film resembles the book and also how it differentiates. He also proves knowledgeable concerning the film itself, speaking on the work of the actors, the shooting locales, and plenty more. This is also a quality track that's deserving of listeners' time.

Next up is a pair of featurettes. 'Goats' Declassified: The Real Men of the First Earth Battalion (1080i, 12:29) showcases Author Jon Ronson, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Jim Channon, Retired Colonel Dr. John Alexander, Retired Army Major Ed Dames, and retired Army Sergeant First Class Glenn Wheaton speaking on their experiences with the Army's study of supernatural powers and psychic warfare. Project "Hollywood": A Classified Report From the Set (1080i, 7:34) is a basic making-of piece that look at the process of brining the book to the screen, working with goats on the set, the quality of the actors and what they brought to the parts, and the film's themes. Next up is Character Bios (1080p, 4:46), a quick-and-easy glimpse at the film's primary characters, constructed primarily from clips from the film. Also included is a collection of deleted scenes (1080p, 4:14); the film's theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:23); additional 1080p trailers for The Crazies, The Slammin' Salmon, and Law Abiding Citizen; and a preview for "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" presented in 1080i. Disc two of this set contains a digital copy of The Men Who Stare at Goats. Unfortunately, it's formatted only for Windows.

The Men Who Stare at Goats Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Men Who Stare at Goats is as funny and endearing as its title suggests, with several playful performances and a lighthearted tone that accompanies as story that's as strange and unique as any to come out in some time. Fortunately, the film generally plays things down the middle, not becoming too dark but not going for an excessively comedic tone, either, the result a picture that's humorous almost all the way through but that's also of a bit more value from a thematic perspective than a normal straight Comedy might otherwise be. Make no mistake, though, The Men Who Stare at Goats isn't a movie for all audiences. It's one of the more quirky films to come along in a while, and audiences looking for more straightforward and even-keeled film may want to pass this one over. Those eager to give it a go, however, should be more than pleased with this latest Blu-ray release from Starz/Anchor Bay. Featuring quality video and audio presentations and an honest supplemental section in both size and content, The Men Who Stare at Goats is definitely worth a rental, but Blu-ray collectors and fans of the film can lay their money down with confidence.