They’re not kidding when they said that this is the ultimate collector’s edition, WB went above and beyond to make sure that fans of Ben Affleck’s THE TOWN get the best of the experience, not just in screen or sound quality for your home theater but the packet also comes with countless stories and entertaining files that make everything about it including the characters seem real, I’ve never seen a blu-ray packet this ambitious before…
As he plans a job that could result in his gang’s biggest score ever, a longtime thief plans a way out of the life and the town while dodging the FBI agent looking to bring him and hish bank robbing crew down. In addition to heading an electrifying cast, Ben Affleck also directed and co-wrote this suspenseful, critically acclaimed crime thriller that unfolds and often explodes across gritty Boston locations.
Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, and Chris Cooper also star.
There are 3 Discs, the blu-ray disc which comes with an extended cut with alternate ending. So those of us who’ve seen this powerhouse thriller in theaters would be treated with a different take on the last scene. The disc also comes with an extensive featurette called THE TOWN: A DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY, in which director Affleck talk a bit about why they shot that alternate ending and whey they didn’t choose to use it for theatrical print. Both endings serve pretty much similar purpose, the main guy doesn’t get the girl in the end, which goes to show that everybody who lives this kind of life would ultimately have to pay the price, whether it’s by death or solitude. I think both have the same emotional effect but I’m glad they went with solitude because at least in my opinion, self imprisonment is something that’s significantly more torturous and deteriorating in the long run.
The secon d disc is the blu-ray containing original theatrical version and extended cut including BEN’S BOSTON in which director Affleck takes you through the moviemaking process in his hometown. Segments incldue The Cathedral of Boston, Nuns With Guns: Filming in the north End, Pulling off the perfect Heist, and more. Plus a commentary by Affleck.
The third disc is DVD of extended cut with alternate ending.
THE TOWN can also be watched via digital copy that’s easily accessible at ultraviolet.flixter.com/thetown
I mentioned earlier that another cool thing about this collector’s edition is that it comes with interesting fun facts about the characters and they’re set in a format that make them look like they’re legitimate criminals.
You get mugshots of the characters, Albert Magloan, Douglas Macray, James Coughlin, Desmond Elden.
Since the characters are of Irish descent, there’s a sticker of an Irish cartoon character holding a gun robbing bank money.
There’s also a faux Department of Justice – FBI file with pictures from the surveillance cameras of the bank robberies in progress in such locations as Roxbury and Cambridge.
Wait, that’s not all, they’ve even got you a poster map so you can see the locations that the characters hit in Charlestown and Boston areas.
There’s also a booklet which takes you through more or less the same journey that the extensive featurette offers. Director Ben Affleck is a actor turned director which gives his cast an at ease feeling because he can relate to what they’re willing to bring to the table performance-wise, and which also makes Affleck in tune with his instinct when it comes to casting the right people for the roles, he wants to give those who haven’t had a long big screen resume an opportunity to shine, such as the case with Jon Hamm who Affleck considers a man who commands respect.
One surprising revelation is Blake Lively, sometime her good looks can easily make people underestimate her but she’s actually a talented actress if you give her enough credit. The booklet and the featurette also paid special tribute to the late great Pete Postlethwaite, director Affleck had some heartfelt things to say about the great actor, may he rest in peace.
As I mentioned in my review of the film back in 2010, THE TOWN is a powerhouse, adrenaline pumping crime drama/thriller. Ben Affleck’s 2nd directorial feature goes to show this is the universe that he’s comfortable with, his own backyard. I’m not saying he needs to narrow himself to just doing this type of story for the rest of his life but this can definitely be his field of expertise.
The way he incorporated the town, the culture, the accent, and the lives of the characters that are relatable and complex. As bad as Jeremy Renner’s character is, there’s even something about him that you can identify and sympathize with, he’s a complicated individual, Renner deserved that Oscar nod for his outstanding performance.
THE TOWN – ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION will give you an experience unlike any other blu-ray packet has ever offered before.
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