The Cell (2000)

 

Arrow Films are releasing Tarsem Singh's stunning directorial debut feature in both 4KUHD and Blu-ray editions, with two discs in each set.

Psychologist Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) is part of a pioneering experiment to treat psychological trauma by entering into the subconscious of the individual. Meanwhile, serial killer Carl Stargher (Vincent D'Onofrio) has abducted his latest victim and locked her up in a tank where she is subjected to 40 hours of isolation before eventually being drowned, after which he turns his victims into life-sized dolls. 

The FBI are closing in on Stargher but before they can apprehend him he suffers a massive catatonic episode and becomes uncommunicative in a form of locked in syndrome that serves THE CELL's plot. The only way to find his final victim (who is still alive) is for Jennifer to enter his mind and confront what she finds there. And it's not pleasant.

It does, however, consist of a series of remarkable tableaux that are achievements not just of direction but of costume and production design and photography, too. In fact it could be argued that the entire plot is just an excuse to get to the gorgeous visuals, and there's nothing wrong with that. Lopez isn't entirely convincing as a psychologist but D'Onofrio is his usual superb self, while Vince Vaughn provides an important reality anchor as the chief FBI officer investigating.

Arrow's set comes either with one UHD and one Blu-ray disc, or two Blu-rays. The first disc gives you two cuts of the film - theatrical and director's with the latter being about two minutes longer. Extras on disc one include two new commentary tracks - one from writer and producer Mark Protosevich moderated by Kay Lynch, and another academic commentary with Josh Nelson and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. There are also two archival commentaries - one with Singh and the other with other members of the crew including composer Howard Shore and director of photography Paul Laufer. There's an excellent new feature length interview with director Singh who covers all aspects of his experience with the production (and inevitably repeats some of what's on his commentary track, and a lengthy 43 minute career overview interview with Lauter.

Disc two contains a previously unreleased version of the film in 1.78:1 aspect ratio and with different colour grading which does make the 'dream' sequences less grainy but providing overall a more subdued image. Extras on disc two include Paul Laufer talking about this different version and how it arose from his use of two different types of lenses (11 minutes), a ten minute piece on the costume design, and a 12 minute visual essay from Heller-Nicholas about the director's predilection for combining popular movie genres with art history . Archival extras include a 12 minute featurette on director Singh, six deleted scenes and two extended scenes with optional commentary, special effects vignettes, trailers and an image gallery.

Finally both sets come with an illustrated collector's book with new writing and a reversible sleeve.

Tarsem Singh's THE CELL is out in a two disc set from Arrow in 4KUHD and Blu-ray editions on Monday 20th January 2025