The Good Shepherd (HD DVD)

I would never recommend anyone buy The Good Shepherd without renting it first because I can see half the people that saw this movie stopping it before it actually ends, and out of the other half that do watch the rest of it actually enjoying it. Personally I really like this movie. Granted, it is slow and methodical, but there is never a wasted moment and considering the amount of time and intricacy of the plot line it is surprising they were able to make such an easy to follow picture out of a very complex subject and time in American history.

The Good Shepherd tells the story of the birth of the C.I.A. and primarily focuses on Matt Damon's character Edward Wilson as he climbs the ranks and becomes the centerpiece of what will soon be known as the C.I.A. The film covers 40 years of ground with most of it taking place between 1941 and 1961. While the story of the C.I.A.'s origins plays out in the background the film focuses on two separate plotlines, one centering on a mole inside the Agency and another focused on a mysterious video reel and pictures that showed up on Edward's doorstep.

The film digs into the dirty business of international counter-intelligence as you may expect but it doesn't rely on the flash-bang style of filmmaking most directors depend on to make their films interesting. The Good Shepherd isn't that kind of a movie, this is a movie that never tries too hard and for that it is able to tell a meaningful and interesting story for anyone that can think for themselves. However, if you get lost in movies you probably aren't going to enjoy this one. As an example, if you didn't like Syriana then simply stop reading right now, this movie isn't for you.

As for the special features this HD DVD comes with the 16 minutes of deleted scenes that you will also find on the DVD as well as the Universal U-Control feature which only boasts a picture-in-picture feature that can be played throughout the 2 hour and 48 minute feature. The deleted scenes are actually quite good because they follow an alternate storyline centered on Clover's (Angelina Jolie) brother, who in the film is killed at war. However, in the deleted scenes he is alive and the center of an investigation. It is a good group of deleted scenes to watch immediately after you have watched the film. It is also a good example of how director Robert De Niro knew when one story was one too many in this rather long movie.

The U-Control feature is not all that impressive, not because of content, but primarily because this is a movie you don't really want to ignore any part of unless you have seen it several times. Considering this was my second time seeing it I wasn't excited about taking time out to watch the mini interviews, and I wasn't about to take another 2 hours and 48 minutes out of my life to watch through the whole thing again. So, I picked and pecked around and got the gist of it. You may have some interest in this if generic comments are your thing, if not; just enjoy the movie and the deleted scenes, that will be enough to hold you over.

Like I said in the beginning, be sure to rent this movie before buying it, it is not for everyone. Like Syriana I do plan on watching this one again, but it isn't the spy-thriller kind of film that will have you playing it every day.