Universal Movie   •••• Picture/Sound   •••• Extras   ••••

If Inside Man is any indication, indie director Spike Lee should put himself out for hire to Hollywood more often. This sleek update of the classic bank-heist movie, written by Russell Gewirtz, is a pleasure from beginning to end and features powerhouse performances by Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster.

A mostly razor-sharp transfer (with just a few mildly soft shots) delivers the full impact of the silvery, almost monochromatic Wall Street setting. The soundtrack is equally strong, with dynamics that consistently ratchet up the tension. Extras include a brief making-of documentary and a wonderful featurette in which Washington and Lee interview each other; their camaraderie is obvious. Lee also delivers a typically thoughtful and funny commentary. And the 20 minutes of unusually interesting deleted scenes reveal just how well this project worked, as there was more than enough good material for the final cut. [R] English, French, and Spanish, Dolby Digital 5.1; letterboxed (2.35:1) and anamorphic widescreen; dual layer.

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