Has it really been 22 years since DICK TRACY was came out on
film? I find that stunning. It seems like only yesterday that the film came out
and that this comic strip character made his way to the screen once again.
Warren Beatty directs the film and stars as the title
character, a totally dedicated police detective who battles crime with every
waking breath. Tracy's long time girlfriend Tess Trueheart (Glenne Headly)
sticks close to Tracy's side at all times and waits patiently for the day he
will finally propose to her. In the line of duty Tracy comes across a homeless
young boy named The Kid (Charlie Korsomo) that he takes under his wing with the
help of Tess.
But like most crime fighters in comics it is Tracy's rogue's
gallery that makes him stand out. Top of the list is Big Boy Caprice (Al
Pacino), the crime boss who has control of every criminal in the city. Among
these criminals you'll find the likes of Flattop (William Forsythe), Mumbles
(Dustin Hoffman), Pruneface (R.G.Armstrong) and more, all appearing just like
their names and identical to the way they appeared in the comic strip. Big Boy
has set his sights on taking over the entire underworld of the city and
accomplishes this with ease, causing problems for Tracy and his team.
In addition to taking over the underworld, Big Boy has laid
claim to the town's fanciest nightclub and its star attraction, Breathless
Mahoney (Madonna). No one in town can sing a torch song like Breathless and
even Tracy finds himself stunned into silence when in her presence.
As any competition that goes up against Big Boy disappears,
Tracy and his group find it more and more difficult to actually catch him in
the act. Witnesses disappear and cement shoes are given to more than one
problem that Big Boy faces, but Tracy is the die hard detective who will stop
at nothing to put an end to Big Boy and his gang.
The thing about this movie is that it's not the plot that
keeps you watching. It's the visualization of a comic book page come to life on
the big screen. Beatty made some wise decisions when he made this film having
the sets made as simply and as bright as possible even when the lighting is
low. This is the four color template used in comics that we've all grown up with
and it's used for perfect effect in this film.
He also made a wise decision with the make up here, choosing
to make the characters appear just like they did in the comic strip as well.
Flattop actually has a flat head. Pruneface has more wrinkles than a shar pei.
These characters were there in the comic strip and later in the cartoons of
Tracy as well. Here they come to life.
The action is violent at times but more in a comic book
style than in most mobster movies seen these days. Granted some kids will find
the bad guys scary looking but more for their appearance than their actions.
The one disappointing thing about the film is Beatty's
choice to play Tracy as himself rather than the same makeup he gives the other
actors. Tracy was noted for his hawk nose and jutting jaw line. Beatty has
chosen to simply outfit himself in Tracy's bright yellow coat and hat with no
altering make up at all. With the bad guys all decked out, why not Tracy as
well.
The blu-ray release offers a fantastic look to this film making
the colors, the centerpiece of the film, seem to pop right off the screen.
Unfortunately it doesn't offer anything in the way of extras but fans of the
film will just be content to finally have the chance to add it to their
collection. DICK TRACY isn't just a film to rent for a night, this is one to
add to your shelf to be taken down and enjoyed from time to time.
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