High Crimes

Few things are more frustrating than seeing an otherwise good movie marred beyond redemption by a disastrous ending, and this sometimes contrived military courtroom drama throws nearly two hours worth of good acting and directing out the window for an implausible shock-thriller finale that casts doubt on the validity of the entire plot. Ashley Judd gives a strong performance as an aggressive (but, of course, playfully feminine) defense attorney who abandons her promising career to defend her adoring ex-marine husband (Jim Caviezel), charged in a secret military tribunal with murdering Salvadoran villagers. Morgan Freeman is in fine form as a washed-up former JAG legal eagle who helps her buck the system. Unfortunately, director Carl Franklin (who made the fantastic Devil in a Blue Dress) can't seem to avoid standard-issue red herrings and other obtrusive hints that the film's relative intelligence is just a facade leading up to another hackneyed Hollywood finale. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD extras include commentary by director Carl Franklin, and six featurettes of various lengths: "A Military Mystery" with author Joseph Finder; "FBI Takedown in Union Square" and "The Car Crash," which examine specific scenes; "A Different Kind of Justice," exploring the military and civilian sides of the justice system; "Liar, Liar" (How to Beat a Polygraph); and "Together Again," about Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd's onscreen chemistry. Bottom line: an impressive extras package for a somewhat disappointing film.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Sept. 15, 2009—Fox, 115 min., PG-13, $29.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002's High Crimes sports a nice transfer with Dolby 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Blu-ray extras are identical to the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by director Carl Franklin, and six production featurettes: “A Military Mystery” with author Joseph Finder; “FBI Takedown in Union Square” and “The Car Crash,” which examine specific scenes; “A Different Kind of Justice,” exploring the military and civilian sides of the justice system; “Liar Liar” (How to Beat a Polygraph); and “Together Again,” about costars Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd's onscreen chemistry (32 min. total). Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a lesser thriller.]