DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 86 minutes, featurette, deleted scenes, alternate ending

STUDIO: Rogue Pictures/ Intrepid Pictures/ Universal

RELEASE DATE: 2-27-2007

Some films fall through the cracks and one of those films is THE RETURN. It is a powerful supernatural mystery about Joanna Mills (Sarah Michelle Gellar) who starts having visions and dreams of a place she has never been to. She starts to unravel a murder that happened years ago and goes to the Texas town of La Salle. She feels an attraction to Terry (Peter O'Brian) who feels the same connection. The visions and dreams intensify as Joanna can't turn away from the what she is being shown. THE RETURN may be under 90 minutes, but it dragged me in as I wondered why some critics hated this film. I just don't get it. THE RETURN does have great cast of actors (Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sam Shepard, Peter O'Brian). I am glad you don't have Joanna figuring it all out until the end of the film. The script throws you off the scent at times, but the truth does become clear of why she came to La Salle.

VIDEO: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

The transfer is top notch. Image detail is good and the look of the film sets the mood.

AUDIO: English, French 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

SPECIAL FEATURES: Six deleted scenes (10:41 length) and an alternate ending which isn't really shocking are of varying interest, but I can see why they aren't in the film. The brief 8 1/2 minute featurette, THE MAKING OF THE RETURN, is one of the better promo fluff featurettes I have watched (don't watch it until you seen the film), but I wish they explored the making of the film more or had an audio commentary recorded for the DVD.

FINAL ANALYSIS: THE RETURN is a film that no one unfortunately saw at theaters. Now you should check it out on DVD. It has an emotional core that connects with you as you unravel the mystery.

this review is (c)2-20-2007 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com  and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com