25 10 2002
BMW films has started releasing three new films to promote the release of the new Z4. Clive Owen is back as “The Driver”, and John Woo directs the first installment named “Hostage”.
This short film is very John Woo (if that means anything to you). Of course there was the obligitory car-chase scene - which didn’t last nearly long enough in my opinion, but was still thrilling.
Some big differences this time around include a switch from exclusively QuickTime movies to 56k, 100k and 300k streaming versions in RealMedia, Windows Media and QuickTime. The downloadable version is only available in Windows Media, and is about 68 MB large. There’s also a 6 MB downloadable version compressed with PocketPC’s in mind.
While the streaming versions offer DVD-like Director’s Commentary Track, the downloadable version doesn’t. That’s kind of a pisser, since my connection can’t quite maintain a 300kbps stream. As good as Windows Media does at compressing high-quality video, the downloadable version should take advantage of Windows Media’s ability to handle multiple audio tracks - the 100 kbps just ain’t good enough for someone who watches a lot of harddrive-and-CD-based video. *glances at 150 CD collection of downloaded movies and anime series*
Also, there is no subtle hints to an unannounced contest. In the first five films, there were five accompanying films with a phone number and hints to a mystery. Nothing was really said about it unless you actually phoned the numbers. The whole “contest” culminated with people travelling to New York (I think) to meet up with a representative of BMW handing out exclusive DVDs with all five films on it.
This series of films is inferior in a few ways, but still looks like it’ll be fun. At least Bruckheimer isn’t doing one.
