While this reviewer "hated" Director Mike Newell's overrated "Four Weddings and a Funeral", "Donnie Brasco" is a great films for the same reasons the previous film isn't!  "Donnie Brasco" is a film entirely made up of implications rather than "heavy-handed" cliches!  That's not to say there aren't scenes with over-the-top brutality, ...there are!  But, "Donnie Brasco" is a masterfully done film deserving to be placed right up there with "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas" as one of the "great" crime-dramas of all time!  Based on the true story of Joseph Pistone, a cop who went undercover to bring down some big organized crime figures, this film displays Newell's brilliance from the opening credits. It is during this sequence in which we first hear the wonderful score, (also featured on an isolated track!) and see the various still images depicting telephoto type stills of the crime figures central to the story.  We also observe Pistone and his eyes don't deceive us.  He's a "victim" trapped between the world he belongs to and the one he's infiltrated!  The acting is superb! Al Pacino, Johnny Depp and the whole ensemble cast have never been better!  Even Ann Heche gives a decent performance here! 

The transfer is identical to the previous version, with outstanding clarity and a generally crisp looking film!  While colors aren't extremely vibrant, they're realistic and the film looks gritty where intended without ever succumbing to a grainy look!

The dolby digital 5.0 track has a restrained surround track, with the exception of that wonderful score.  Effects are used for atmosphere for the most part, but it works splendidly!

While COLUMBIA TRISTAR already released a film-only version before, this "SPECIAL EDITION" offers a great deal of supplements!  The director provides a commentary that's up there with the best offered on dvd or laserdisc!  He smoothly glides between thematic discussion to production insight and back again without ever failing to maintain a grip on the listener.  He also gives great details into how and why certain scenes work as well as they do. 

The musical score is unforgettable and truly leaves its mark throughout the entire film although the opening credit sequence is this reviewers' favorite selection.  It's wonderful to see that COLUMBIA TRISTAR has offered it on its own track for fans to enjoy! 

There's also a deleted scenes segment, offering scenes that we wish had been left in.  While we're disappointed that all of these scenes are only offered in 1.33:1 aspect ratio, they're still wonderful.  One scene in particular, involving a lion being walked down the city street, while having an "emergency", is hillarious!  Still, Newell gives intelligent reasoning as to why these scenes were left out.

The featurette offered is unlike the typical ones offered as just "promotional fanfare"!  Newell, the real Joe Pistone, and the screenwriter Paul Atannasio provide terrific interviews intercut with great clips.

The still selection is offered with a wonderful musical track and is extremely effective.  DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!!!!