Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Warner Movie ••½Picture/Sound •••• Extras ••

The "Director's Cut" of Alexander actually deletes 20 minutes from the theatrical version. But it adds 12 new minutes in an effort to spotlight the Oedipal story (featuring Angelina Jolie as the Great One's manipulative mom) and de-emphasize Alexander's bisexuality. Despite all that, the film's central problem remains: it has tons of adrenaline-soaked battle scenes but no real drama or sense of purpose.

At least the action is perfectly staged and shot, and it practically jumps off the screen in the two-disc set's sharp and richly textured picture. The boisterous and dynamic 5.1-channel soundtrack - perfect for disturbing the neighbors - gives a visceral urgency to the battles. In his director's commentary, Oliver Stone is eloquent and exhaustive. Other extras include a brief interview with composer Vangelis and a tedious 90-minute documentary. [R] English, Dolby Digital 5.1; letterboxed (2.35:1) and anamorphic widescreen; one single- and one dual-layer disc.