The Hughes brothers (Menace II Society) take a stab at the Jack The Ripper story by way of Alan Moore's gory graphic novel. It could have been the ultimate ghetto flick; instead it's a little slow and tension-lite. Johnny Depp's mockerney impersonation of Michael Caine doesn't help: if only supporting actor Robbie Coltrane had been given the lead of Scotland Yard's Inspector Abbeline. Still, there are jolts of bloody nastiness and flashes of gory wit, and the amazing sets and attention to detail evoke a potent atmosphere.
DVD Extras:
A featurette on the history of absinthe is frankly bizarre, but the rest of the two- disc set's mini-documentaries are - - sorry - - bloody good. The Victim/Suspect Files cover all you'll ever need to know about the actual murders, while a fun guided tour around the set with the increasingly manic Hughes brothers makes up for the dull Making Of. The commentary (assembled from assorted interviews with cast and crew) is a wasted opportunity, though.
