It's ironic, and perhaps a little sad, that the Director's Cut of Oliver Stone's shit-stirring, anti-media polemic should have its DVD release promoted by ads trumpeting its ultra-violent content. Yes, you get to see the hole blown in Robert Downey Jr's hand. Yes, Tommy Lee Jones' head is hoisted on a pole. And yes, Ashley Judd pops up as a timid courtroom witness stabbed to death with a pencil. But this is no exploitation movie, despite its confessed nods to Roger Corman. Stone uses the adventures of trailer trash murderers Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis) to blast US culture with both barrels. The incessant brutality and fast-cutting, format-shifting action is exhausting, even irritating, but Stone's message remains vital: "Don't listen to the conformity that's sold to you."

DVD Extras:

Stone blabbing about the soundtrack and some stills are the only elements added to the Region One release. But that's fine, as the deleted scenes (with Ollie intro) are worthwhile, the Chaos Rising documentary excellent and Stone's commentary just about worth listening to for the mix of intellectual vigour and overblown pretension. Plus, Lewis' Mallory is shot in the alternate ending. Now that's violence worth paying for.