Blu-ray Review: Ben Affleck’s ‘The Town: Ultimate Collector’s Edition’

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CHICAGO – It’s only been a couple of years but Ben Affleck’s “The Town” already feels like more of a modern classic than it did upon its release. There are some elements of the film that still falter for this critic (most of them related to the Affleck-Hall relationship and lack of chemistry within it) although they’ve become nearly overwhelmed by what DOES work about this engaging, tight thriller. He’s only made two films (“Gone Baby Gone” before this and this fall’s “Argo” will be his third) but I honestly feel like Ben Affleck will be a better director than an actor (and I’ve always thought him an underrated actor).

Blu-ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

My opinion of Affleck the Actor vs. Affleck the Director aside, people LOVE “The Town.” It’s the kind of movie that I’ve had friends tell me they can re-watch endlessly in its cable airings. And I have a feeling that it’s only going to grow in esteem and popularity over the years. Some Oscar pundits thought that “The Town” was going to get a Best Picture nomination in its competitive year. Future viewers will be stunned that it did not.

It helps the historical appreciation of Affleck’s film that Warner Bros. is already giving the film the lavish “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” in one of those massive box sets that comes with physical collectibles, new bonus material, and a case that dwarves all the others on your shelf. This impressive 3-disc collection doesn’t just include multiple versions of the movie itself but physical collectibles for the true hardcore fans.

Of course, it’s all about the film itself, which is included on three discs with the theatrical version, and extended cut with never-before-seen alternate ending. The extended with alternate is on its own Blu-ray and another Blu-ray housesthe theatrical version & original extended cut. The extended cut with alternate ending is also included on a standard DVD.

Special features include a new documentary called “The Town: A Director’s Journey,” “Ben’s Boston,” and commentaries by Affleck on all three versions. The set also comes with an Ultraviolet Digital Copy and bonus collectibles that include a 48-page photo book, a poster-size map of Charlestown, and film prop reproductions. Think twice about wearing the rub-on tattoos the next time that you go to the bank.

The Town: Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Ben Affleck follows his acclaimed Gone Baby Gone directorial debut by directing, co-writing and starring in a taut thriller about robbers and cops, friendship and betrayal, love and hope and escaping a past that has no future. He plays Doug MacRay, leader of a Boston bank robber gang but not cut from the same cloth as his fellow thieves. When Doug falls into a passionate romance with the bank manager (Rebecca Hall) briefly taken hostage in their last heist, he wants out of this life and out of the town. As the Feds close in and the crew questions his loyalty, he has one of two choices: betray his friends or lose the woman he loves. Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite and Chris Cooper also star.

Special Features:
o The Town: A Director’s Journey - New Documentary
o Ben’s Boston - Actor/Director/ Writer Ben Affleck Takes You Through The Movie Making Process in His Hometown
o Commentary On Theatrical Version, Extended Cut and Extended Cut With Alternate Ending By Director Ben Affleck
o 48 Page Photo Book Filled With Behind-The-Scenes Photos and Production and Filmmaker Notes
o Poster-Size Map of Charlestown With Notes on Scenes From The Film
o 15-Page FBI Report
o Vericom Employee File
o 4 Mug Shot Cards
o Rub-On Tattoo Sheet
o Ultraviolet Digital Copy

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com