The world's best computer hacker (Jackman) becomes entangled in a cyber-heist masterminded by a charismatic mystery man (Travolta). The daring theft of a government slush fund (code-named Swordfish) becomes a high-stakes game of life and death.
Like the HD DVD, the Blu-ray Disc includes audio commentary by director Dominic Sena, the 15-minute HBO First Look, an eight-minute Effects In Focus: The Flying Bus, and the 13-minute In Conversation cast and crew interviews, two alternate endings with optional commentary, a short Planet Rock audio reel, the theatrical trailer, and online info.
The VC-1-encoded 2.35:1 Blu-ray Disc picture looks nearly identical to the previously released HD DVD picture. Details are slightly softer with the Blu-ray Disc release, but that may be fully attributable to the unmodified Samsung BD-P1000 player (see our review of the player in Issue 112 for more information). (Danny Richelieu)
The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel encoding sounds very similar to the Dolby Digital Plus encoding found on the HD DVD, although the HD DVD version does sound slightly more smooth and natural. (Danny Richelieu)