In the middle of a high tech laboratory an interesting series of experiments are taking place in para-psychology. Suspended in body suits hanging on airplane wire, two figures remain dormant behind a thick glass wall. Under the body suits and electrodes, a fascinating interaction is taking place within the world of the mind. Two minds in one fantasy, exchanging ideas. Will the woman psychologist be able to breakthrough to the young boy frozen out of our world? It's good enough material for a film. Another film, the hunt for a serial killer, is taking place at the same time. The two plots lines intersect providing some fascinating visual, some less than satisfying psychology and a fair measure of excitement.

A fairy tale and blood cocktail. ©New Line

    There's a bizarre and perverse element to mixing the fairy tale visuals with the conventions and depravity of a serial killer flick. That director Tarsem Singh pulls it off is quite an achievement. The visual style of The Cell, the languidly graceful treatment of the other world, take the straight forward and run-of-the-mill serial killer tale up several notches.
    Jennifer Lopez is effective as the adventurous psychotherapist Catharine Deane. She certainly fills the sensual body suits worn in the special sleep state to transmit one's mind into the "other world." Vince Vaughn keeps on track in his hunt for the killer as FBI Agent Novak. Vincent D'Onofrio once again totally disappears into a role. From the bug man in Men in Black to the creator of Conan in The Whole Wide World to Orson Welles in Ed Wood, here's an actor that would have no trouble playing the invisible man. D'Onofrio's serial killer Carl Stargher is thoroughly disgusting. It's another incarnation of the bug man.
    Too much enhancement! This one could have been a contenda but someone punched up the edginess making those beautiful fantasy sequences less than pristine. The additional information creeps into scenes busy scenes making them actually look softer. Color resolution is excellent. Dig those pinks petals surrounding a sensuous Jennifer Lopez. Overall light output is very good in the various lighting schemes. Shadow detail reveals the intent of the director and cinematographer. The excellent Dolby Digital 5:1 mix provides an encompassing home theater envelope.
     New Line has put together another excellent special edition. Two feature length commentaries add layers tot he experience of The Cell. Director Tarsem Singh's rapid fire delivery of language is sometimes breathtaking, but that's what the pause and rewind buttons are for. Singh is consistently enthusiastic. There are deleted scenes with commentary, a full length commentary fromt he production team, an original documentary and more.

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