Another big budget action extravaganza

Swordfish," the latest of producer Joel Silver's ("The Matrix") mindless big-budgeted action extravaganzas, hit DVD last week. It's not the best DVD out there, but it is one worth owning.\nThe flick chronicles the sordid adventures of renegade CIA spy Gabriel Shear (John Travolta) who recruits ex-con cum ingenious computer hacker Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman) to participate in a complicated scheme to pilfer a government slush fund codenamed "Swordfish." Hence, the odd title. Ginger (Halle Berry), a primo femme fatale and Gabriel's right hand woman and Special Agent Roberts (Don Cheadle, the world's finest character actor) also figure prominently into this high-tech tale of intrigue and betrayal.\n"Swordfish" makes a worthy addition to any DVD connoisseur's collection. As far as the audio is concerned the disc delivers in spades. Paul Oakenfold's masterful techno-fueled score mingles perfectly amidst the cacophony of random car crashes, explosions and incessant hails of gunfire. All are presented in crystal clear 5.1 sound. The picture isn't up to par with some other recent releases, but it is still nothing to scoff at. Action sequences ranging from the introductory human land mine to the concluding flying bus scenario are presented in a relatively crystal clear anamorphic transfer.\nThe disc includes a decent amount of supplementary materials. Figuring most prominently amongst these are an informative and entertaining feature-length commentary by director Dominic Sena (the man seems so smart it's a shock to think he was responsible for the turgid excrement otherwise known as "Gone in Sixty Seconds") and two alternate endings which tweak the film's twist ending. Other features include two behind the scenes documentaries and a theatrical trailer.\n"Swordfish" is a solid action film. The film's only faults come in the form of its criminal under utilization of both Cheadle and former footballer turned Guy Ritchie regular Vinnie Jones who co-stars as one of Travolta's thugs. Also, some may see the whole enterprise as nothing more than a 100 minute Heineken commercial. Despite these minimal qualms, "Swordfish" is an entertaining if not mildly flawed action extravaganza that should please fans of the genre.