Millions
January 2006 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Danny Boyle is the energetic director who has helmed Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, and 28 Days Later, all movies that are excellent but that abound in gore and bad language. What a switch to find him directing a PG family film, one that might best be described as quirky and sweet. As in the other movies, his sure hand and cinematic eye are in evidence everywhere, but here they are turned to topics that are more pleasant.

Those topics are money, coming of age, and spirituality. Anthony and Damian, two young brothers living in Manchester, England, have different values. When it comes to what money they have, Anthony, the older lad, is all for investment and capital gains, whereas Damian, whose imaginary friends are saints, wants to give it to the poor. Invariably his first question after he meets someone new is, "Are you poor?" When a crook tosses a bag containing over 250,000 British pounds, the boys find it and have predictable reactions. Anthony wants to go looking at apartments for investment, while Damian, who believes the money came from God, wants to give it to the needy. Complications ensue when the robber appears wanting to take the money back. Damian doesn’t want to give it back. "It’s not the money’s fault it was stolen."

Director Boyle employs flashy cinematic techniques to tell this simple story, which makes the film a bit too busy at times. Yet, on viewing it a second and third time, when you are less distracted by the camera shots, you might get many new things from it. This is that rare title that might actually garner a better rating on the fourth viewing. Next year I might rate it at four popcorn bags. It could easily become a holiday favorite.

The DVD is very good. The picture is smooth, with good color and excellent contrast. It seems a mite soft, which keeps it just short of a four-bag rating. The sound reproduces the eccentric rock score with good fidelity. The sound is mostly up front, though the surrounds are occasionally used to great effect.

The extras include a commentary track with Boyle and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a largish group of deleted scenes. These scenes are not throwaways as is the norm; they are charming and significant. It must have been very difficult to cut them out. One scene might easily have been left in, when Damian is hiding out in the attic of his former home surrounded by all his saints.

This is a unique and visually arresting movie, which will appeal to children of all ages. There are not too many like it around. Give it a spin and you will likely find it growing on you in a most delightful way. And now that he has shown that he can work in different genres, Danny Boyle is a director to watch carefully and with eager anticipation.

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