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Transsiberian DVD Review - www.impulsegamer.com -

Feature 7.5
Video 8.0
Audio 8.5
Special Features 5.0
Total 7.0
Distributor: Madman
Running Time: 111 minutes
Classification: MA15+
Reviewer:
Mark Beresford

7.0


Transsiberian

Roy (Woody Harrelson) is a caring devout Christian who is on his way from a missionary in China to Moscow via the snowy Russian expanses on the Transsiberian railway and travelling with him is his 'former bad girl now also full Christian' wife Jessie (Emily Mortimer). Whilst whittling away the hours the meet another young couple of smooth Spaniard, Carlos (Eduardo Noriega), and his mysterious partner Abby (Kate Mera). The couples hit it off and after finding that Carlos and Abby are returning from a teaching job in Japan, though something is off with this pair, Roy and Jessie are blinded by their faith and share a sleeping compartment with the two.

While at a stop, Roy decides to dash off and quickly check out a nearby train graveyard, unfortunately he doesn't make it back to the station in time and misses his own train, leaving Jessie alone with Carlos and Abby. Fearing leaving her husband behind, Jessie decides to get off at the next station to wait for Roy, and Carlos and Abby agree to stop with her. Forced to share a hotel together, Jessie starts to see the real desires of this travelling pair and the true reason they are travelling on the Transsiberian. She isn't the only one though, a Russian inspector on the trail of drug runners using the railway for smuggling across countries also bumps into Jessie, and they happen to find some items from Carlos in Jessie's bag.

This is one of those Hitchcock like tales that has a spindle of interweaving twists and constant surprises. Most of the unpredictability is genuine and while the start is rather slow, the pace builds and adds to the dramatic content. The plot twists do get a little much and could be toned down a little as the 'questions not answered' nature does get a touch frustrating but thrillers like this are like a house of cards, and if you remove one piece then it all falls down. Woody Harrelson is great as always with the flanders-esque Roy, and Emily Mortimer has taken another stepping stone in pushing her great career. The casting is pretty much perfection across the board and no player change would add to this final product.

The backdrops are breathtaking, set in a obviously unique environment of the Russian tundra, though the DVD reproduction didn't seem to have the same kick that will likely transfer to the Blu-ray version. The audio is crisp at Dolby 5.1 and the obvious minimalistic sound tracking builds tension perfectly.

Most people enjoy a good Thriller occasionally and will enjoy this effort. There are some splashing of confronting violence which drag up the MA15+ rating but removing those it would easily pass for the more uptight viewer also. It's certainly not going to hit a pedestal with instant DVD collection notoriety but it's certainly not worth passing over on the shelf. A enjoyable ride for a cosy Monday night popcorn fest. 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • Making Of

  • Original Theatrical Trailer






 
 



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