American Made will be sure to entertain as it takes you on a wild ride from start to finish!
“Tom Cruise reunites with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman, in an international escapade based on the outrageous, true exploits of a hustler and pilot recruited to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history. Based on an incredible true story of the CIA’s biggest secret, American Made will remind you: It’s not a crime if you’re doing it for the good guys…”
Tom Cruise plays Barry Seal, a pilot for TWA who is visibly bored with his job, getting his kicks from purposefully jarring the plane mid-flight to scare sleeping passengers, who also happens to be smuggling Cuban cigars and selling them at his stops. His unique skills as a pilot and smuggler catch the eye of the CIA, who recruit him to take pictures in South America of possible communist camps.
Barry quickly realizes that he can make some extra cash on the side when he is approached by the Cartels, and things quickly escalate as the CIA looks the other way when they need him to go above and beyond simply taking pictures, and participate in smuggling guns to arm freedom fighters in a war-torn nation. As his responsibilities multiply, so does his smuggling business, which with the added reward also brings added problems as Barry begins to catch the eye of law enforcement.
I’ve always enjoyed Tom Cruise’s performances, and he can play just about any character in any type of film. As different as Edge of Tomorrow is from American Made, the collaboration between Cruise and Liman produces a very entertaining film based on true events that are simply fascinating to watch unfold. One thing that surprised me in the film was how well it reflects the period, taking place from the late 70’s to mid-80’s, and subtly coveys the fears of the Cold War and the fear of losing the American Dream. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and as hard as it is to believe some of these events actually happened, watching them unfold will hold your attention throughout the film.
American Made has a very unique style to the direction and editing that make it very fast-paced, and the acting by everyone involved is, of course, top notch. The supporting cast, Domhnall Gleeson and Sarah Wright especially, bring great performances to the table that elevates the film even more. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
Video
American Made is presented in 2160p Ultra High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1. One interesting thing about the film is the unique look that gives it an almost dated quality to it, almost like a haze that gives the illusion of a lack of detail despite the impressive quality of the 4k transfer. Colors are a bit muted to coincide with this style, but still have a great balance with brilliant brights and deep darks.
The Blu-Ray version of the film is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS:X, and is perhaps one of the best things about the disc. With some great period songs on the soundtrack, it is beautifully balanced between the action sequences and dialogue, giving you a truly immersive experience that one might expect.
Special Features
I always enjoy hearing Tom Cruise talk about his films, as he definitely has a unique perspective into the deeper themes, and genuinely loves film and what he does. These are definitely recommended to check out. Extras are included on the Blu-Ray disc, and on this set you’re going to see:
- Deleted Scenes
- American Storytellers
- Cruise & Liman: A Conversation
- In the Wings
- Shooting American Made
- Flying High
- The Real Barry Seal
American Made is an outrageous story, not the typical Tom Cruise role you may be used to, in a true story you probably have never heard of. It truly is a wild ride from start to finish, highly recommended checking out.
