Bottle Rocket

An auspicious debut from director Wes Anderson and writer/co-star Owen C. Wilson. It's a slacker comedy but without the precious self-reverential nods to pop cultural signposts that marred films such as Reality Bites. Wilson stars as the dim but determined Dignan, who has mapped out a future of crime for his clueless friend Anthony (Luke Wilson, Owen's brother). "On the run from Johnny Law," Dignan observes. "Ain't no trip to Cleveland." Offbeat and a breath of fresh air. This Bottle Rocket is a blast. Highly recommended. (K. Lee Benson)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Jan. 6, 2009—Criterion, 91 min., R, $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, second on DVD (two discs), 1996's Bottle Rocket looks fantastic and features DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray. Extras include audio commentary with director Wes Anderson and co-writer/costar Owen Wilson, the 1978 short film “Murita Cycles” by filmmaker Barry Braverman (27 min.), a 26-minute “making-of” documentary by Braverman (featuring Anderson, Luke and Owen Wilson, James L. Brooks, and James Caan), 19 minutes of deleted scenes, Anderson's original 1992 b&w “Bottle Rocket” short (13 min.), “The Shafrazi Lectures, No. 1” discussion of the film (11 min.), an anamorphic test, storyboards, location photos, behind-the-scenes photographs by Owen and Luke's mother Laura Wilson, and a booklet featuring an appreciation by Martin Scorsese and an essay by Brooks. Bottom line: cult director Anderson's first feature improves on standard DVD and makes a fine debut on Blu-ray.]