Christopher Nolan's "MEMENTO" has been compared to "THE USUAL SUSPECTS" on a regular basis. While both are "independent" by Hollywood standards, and they share off-beat, unpopular endings, they share nothing in common, except for the fact they're both extremely well made.

As "MEMENTO" opens up, we learn that the film's main character, Shelby, received a traumatizing injury to his head. He has no ability to retain short-term memory!  What this means is that he can be having a conversation with someone, and after 20 minutes, not realize whom he's talking to or what he's doing there. He's been injured in an attack that left his wife dead.  Now, his only motivation is to find the killer and wreak vengeance. Along the way, everyone he meets "could" have been involved with the murder and be giving him false information.   In order to partially deal with this predicament, he's begun to tattoo himself with notes. "Notes" are essential for him to believe he knows what he's doing, and for a sense of purpose.  Unfortunately, by the film's climax, we also learn that notes can be as faulty as the note-taker! 

Nolan holds the viewer's attention in clever ways. To begin with, the film's opening sequence, is actually the film's ending!  The rest of the film is played out in reverse fashion, so that the last scene the film audiences watch, is how the film actually begun! It catches everyone off guard, and also reveals a new dimension to the main character's pathology.

The acting is terrific! Pearce is perfectly cold in the title role, and Carrie Anne Moss, actually has been given the chance to show she "can" act!

The film has a slick look to it, and the compositions are often staggering, as is the editing.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the film in its correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement!  It's a great looking transfer. As mentioned, the compositions are important tot he film, and the letterboxing is essential for this to be maintained.  The color values are strong and offer sharp, even vibrant detail in every shot.  The fleshtones are natural throughout. The contrast is also excellent! There are some darkly lit scenes and the blacks and grays are perfectly distinguished in them!  The transfer is as sharp and slick looking as the original material!

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix for this release. While it's not overly aggressive, this is a film where the dialogue is key to so much happening, surround effects could be distracting.  There are some surround moments, but most of the soundstage is directed to the front.  Music does permeate all speakers for atmospheric effect at key moments.  Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.

There's a 20 minute interview offered as a supplement here.  Director Christopher Nolan discusses the development of the script as well as key factors within the plot.

There's also an animated menu that really stands out as among the best ever produced.  Sound and image are incorporated with great impact here!

The original story which the director's brother wrote is also offered in its entirety.

Add to this the trailer and some other tid-bits, and you've got a great dvd offering!