SRP $24.98 1.85:1(16:9) DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 COLUMBIA TRISTAR
While "THE BROTHERS" isn't a great film, it's so much better than most films depicting its African American characters in a realistic, non-insulting way, that it's really refreshing.  Writer/Director Gary Hardwick demonstrates a real flair in developing three-dimensional characters and the four main ones depicted here, are all interesting as well as sympathetic.  Unlike almost all of the characters in John Singleton's "BABY BOY" these ones tend to realize or "learn" to realize their own shortcomings without blaming the entire world for their problems.  "THE BROTHERS" is an intelligent, often moving, comedy.  Focusing on four career-driven professionals, and the women they encounter, even Bill Bellamy gives a convincing performance here.  While the film does have its share of melodramatics, it's never diminishes its overall impact.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the film with its proper 1.85:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  The color values are terrific here!  The production design offers some complex color schemes, but they're always well represented.  There is no bleeding or oversaturation and they're vibrant in almost every instance.  The contrast is great with deep blacks and grays.  There is minimal grain in a few instances, but it's hardly noticeable.

The DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 mix is surprisingly aggressive. Although this is a dialogue-driven film, the surrounds are utilized with great impact in more than a few scenes.  There is also ample usage of LFE effects, and the music swells through all the speakers at key moments, with great impact, without drowning out the dialogue.

Director Gary Hardwick offers a running commentary with this release.  It's a great commentary for the same reasons Ed Burns' commentary was with "BROTHERS MCMULLEN".  Aspiring filmmakers learn a lot from what's told here.  Being both director "and" writer, Hardwick discusses so many important details relating to both aspects of filmmaking, that this commentary should benefit any film student.  Hardwick also helps to explain his development of the various characters.

There's a featurette, offering scenes from the film with the director's comments, but fans wanting "behind-the-scenes" footage, will be disappointed.

There is a section of deleted scenes, all of which are greatly inferior to the film in terms of quality and image transfer.  While one of them adds to character development, none of them should've been left intact.  Hardwick provides optional commentary and it's worth listening to as he explains why they were cut.