Snake Eyes

Details

Rick Santoro is a flashy Atlantic City detective who enjoys the perks of his rather flexible interpretation of the law. Kickbacks, shady deals and a comfortable lifestyle are all part of the job. When he attends a major prize fight in a packed casino arena during a raging hurricane, Rick expects nothing more than an evening of gambling, schmoozing and collecting a few betting winnings from a "friend" in the crowd.

Also present at the fight is Rick's old friend Kevin Dunne, now working as a protection officer responsible for the security of the visiting Secretary of Defense. In the middle of the chaotic atmosphere of the fight the unthinkable happens - the Secretary is assassinated in full view of thousands of spectators. With the arena thrown into panic and the exits sealed, Santoro realises that somewhere inside the stadium is the person responsible. Determined to uncover the truth, he begins piecing together the events leading up to the killing.

As Santoro questions witnesses and retraces the movements of those present, the story begins to unfold through multiple perspectives and cleverly staged flashbacks. The more he investigates the stranger the situation becomes, and the more he realises that the assassination may be part of a far larger conspiracy. With the hurricane closing in outside and the truth buried somewhere inside the arena, Santoro must unravel the mystery before the trail goes cold - and before powerful people decide the investigation has gone far enough.

Picture & Sound

This is most definitely a visual film with a bright, vibrant picture and no visible signs of artifacting. The multi-angled and slow motion camera work is stunning throughout. The opening ten minutes of the film famously plays out as what appears to be a single unbroken shot, following Rick Santoro through the bustling arena corridors, up staircases, into crowded rooms and finally down to his ringside seat. The clever use of flashbacks from multiple perspectives later in the film helps piece together the events of the assassination. If you are a fan of inventive film-making, this sequence alone is almost worth the price of the disc.

The sound is equally impressive and a clever masterstroke by director Brian De Palma. The hurricane surrounding the boxing arena keeps the rear channels constantly active as wind and rain batter the stadium. Combined with the roar of the boxing crowd echoing around the soundstage, the result is an extremely immersive experience. At times it genuinely feels as though you are sitting in the arena yourself.

Overall

Snake Eyes is a fascinating film from a technical and visual standpoint. Brian De Palma clearly revels in the opportunity to experiment with camera movement, perspective and storytelling techniques. The famous opening sequence alone is a superb piece of filmmaking that demonstrates just how much atmosphere and tension can be created through clever direction and staging.

Nicolas Cage is perfectly cast as the loud, corrupt and slightly sleazy Rick Santoro, delivering a performance full of energy and charisma. Gary Sinise provides a solid counterbalance as the calm and disciplined Kevin Dunne, while the supporting cast help flesh out the colourful world of the casino arena.

Unfortunately the film's biggest weakness is the story itself. As the conspiracy slowly unravels the plot begins to lose some of its focus and the final act feels somewhat rushed and unsatisfying. After such an impressive and suspenseful build-up, the conclusion never quite delivers the payoff the film seems to promise.

The DVD presentation is strong from a technical perspective but disappointingly light on extras. Considering the inventive filmmaking on display, a commentary track from Brian De Palma discussing the film's complex camera work and staging would have been fascinating. Even so, despite its narrative shortcomings, Snake Eyes remains an interesting and visually impressive thriller that is well worth a watch.

Special features

• Theatrical Trailer