The Devils Advocate (1997) 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC EAC3-SARTRE

Supernatural forces hover over the courtroom in this devilish drama adapted from the novel by Andrew Neiderman. Attorney Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) doesn't heed the Bible-based warnings of his mother (Judith Ivey), who views New York City as "the dwelling place of demons." Instead, he leaves Gainesville, Florida, with his wife Mary Ann (Charlize Theron) to put his legalistic skills to the test at a leading Manhattan law firm run by John Milton (Al Pacino). It all goes smoothly -- with Milton urging them to stay, putting Kevin on a $400-per-hour salary, and moving the couple into a luxurious apartment in his own building on Fifth Avenue -- where Mary Ann falls under the influence of neighbor Jackie (Tamara Tunie). After Kevin defends a weird animal sacrificer (Delroy Lindo, uncredited), he moves up to an important case with an apparent murderer, real-estate tycoon Alexander Cullen (Craig T. Nelson). Ignored by Kevin, the troubled Mary Ann has some disturbing experiences, verging on the occult, while Kevin, at work, becomes attracted to redhead Christabella (Connie Neilsen). Dazzled by his entrance into paradise, Kevin doesn't grasp who handed him this Big-Apple success. Could it be...Satan? The film features demonic creatures by Rick Baker. Cameos (Senator Alfonse D'Amato, Don King, others) add to the ambiance of ambition and power in the canyons of Manhattan.

Extras

• Commentary by Taylor Hackford - Hackford is an engaging speaker, but this isn't one of his better commentaries, insofar as too much of it simply narrates the film. There are occasional insights into the production process, but they are too few. Most of them have found their way into trivia items at IMDb.

• Deleted Scenes - Unlike the DVD, where Hackford's commentary on these scenes could not be switched off, the twelve scenes are here presented with the commentary as an option. This represents their first release in a form where they can be watched on their own. Most are extended versions of scenes that exist in the film, but a few, including a court appearance involving Barzoon and Justice Department representative Mitch Weaver (Vyto Ruginis), are true "deleted" scenes. There's also a short additional encounter between Kevin and Christabella in which they are considerably more direct with each other than anything that exists in the film as released.

• Theatrical Trailer