The Brothers Grimm
by Terry Gilliam
List Price:
Our Price: $2.73
You Save: $7.26 (73%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.89 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Heath Ledger, Jonathan Pryce, Mackenzie Crook, Matt Damon, Peter StormareDirector: Terry Gilliam
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Unknown
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 118 minutes
Published: 2005-12-01
DVD Release Date: 2005-12-20
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Miramax
Product features:
- TESTED OK
- UNKNOWN DATE
Movie Reviews of The Brothers Grimm
Movie Review: Wondrous, magical fairy tale with an edge
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems as if our illustrious, self-important "film critics" nationwide have lost their sense of fun, for the majority of them crucified this movie, for no good reason. It's a rousingly entertaining, enjoyable movie that deserved much, much better.
This hyperkinetic, involving fairy tale avoids, unlike most of its type, in taking itself too seriously. It strikes just the right balance of terror, suspense, goofiness, thrills, and even poignance. Best of all, it catches you constantly off-guard with shrewdly placed comedy that's just right: at some points when things get fairly intense, it will make fun of its own absurdity.
The movie lightly satirizes the classic fairy tales marvelously, in sly references to all the most famous ones, but the movie's story in itself is just as wondrous and gripping as the best of them. The "Happily Ever After" element is handled perfectly, and is genuinely moving, but without making you cringe: it successfully avoids being maudlin or saccharine - and is funny as hell.
The director, Terry Gilliam, keeps things moving, with a giddy, galloping pace, and never lets things get bogged down in heavy-handed portentousness. The plot often takes surprising turns, taking us pleasantly off-guard; there's an imaginative, whimsical, childlike glee in the proceedings - it's an adult's recall of how fairy tales sparked our fancies. The sense of danger, especially of sinister hobgoblins hovering ominously in the forest, is exhilarating: Gilliam makes our childish fears of the dark forces lurking amongst the trees into something particularly unsettling and spooky. The wandering, darting vine tendrils and branches that reach out to grab you are redolent of the nightmares you always wanted to avoid. The "special effects" are startling: the phantasmagorical computer generated images, are for once, entirely in keeping with the scope of a fairy tale element, hence they look "real."
Heath Ledger and Matt Damon, romping gaily as the two brothers, are clearly having the time of their lives, both showing their talent for physical comedy. It's surprising to see Ledger, pre- "Brokeback Mountain," exhibit such goofy, unforced charm, and the sweetness of his character is endearing (he's very moving at the end). It's great to see Damon expanding his range so convincingly; the perpetual frat boy persona has matured into a dynamic screen presence. Ledger and Damon look wonderful in their period costumes, looking truly Dickensian. Peter Stormare as the bungling villain is a hoot: the business with his hairpiece repeatedly deflates his character's authority. Lena Headey, a Jacqueline Bisset lookalike, is a strong presence as Angelika. It's hilarious to see her often out-masculinize the 2 brothers. Monica Bellucci, as the evil Queen, is an inspired choice: her alluring, Botticelli-like beauty makes you believe in the force of her seductive powers.
It would be a pity if this enchanting fantasy were relegated to oblivion because of some jaded critics.
Summary of The Brothers Grimm
DVD.Similar DVD Movies
Ned KellyUniversal Studios; Release date: 2004-07-27; DVD
Best price: $4.52
Price in other shops:
Time BanditsIMG; Release date: 2011-02-01; DVD
Best price: $5.19
Price in other shops:
JabberwockyColumbia; Release date: 2001-10-23; DVD
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops:
A Knight's Tale (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 2001-09-25; DVD
Best price: $4.89
Price in other shops:
Snow White - A Tale of TerrorUniversal Studios; Release date: 2002-08-13; DVD
Best price: $3.48
Price in other shops:
Sleepy HollowDEPP,JOHNNY; Release date: 2000-05-23; DVD
Best price: $2.78
Price in other shops:
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (20th Anniversary Edition)Sony Pictures; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
Tideland (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2007-02-27; DVD
Best price: $1.04
Price in other shops:
CasanovaDIS; Release date: 2006-04-25; Published: 2006-04-01; DVD
Best price: $1.55
Price in other shops:
The Imaginarium of Doctor ParnassusSON; Release date: 2010-04-27; Published: 2010-04-01; DVD
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops: