DVD: 'Atonement' is mostly by the book

There have been many great movies made from less-than-great books: "The Godfather," "Jaws" and "There Will Be Blood," for example. Great films made from great books are less numerous, as, really, what can film really bring to a story already perfectly captured on the page?

Mundane movies like "Atonement" (Universal, R, 2007) are more typical. Ian McEwan's book is so much about the power and abuse of words that to make literal the story with images and actors in many ways misses the point, however classy the outcome. One conspicuously brilliant tracking shot aside, "Atonement" the film is largely, well, by the book, though director Joe Wright (who holds court on a commentary) is nonetheless right to be proud of what he and his team achieved despite knowing at best the results would only match -- but never exceed -- the acclaimed source material.

also new this week

"I Am Legend" (Warner Bros., PG-13, 2007): Of all the official and unofficial adaptations of Richard Matheson's venerable post-apocalyptic vampire tale "I Am Legend," this latest version is easily, without question, the, um, most expensive. Beyond that, though, this Will Smith vehicle is ultimately as empty as the average big-budget Hollywood flick. Along those lines, the double-disc DVD edition features a curious "alternate theatrical version" (whatever that means) that ups the melodrama a whole bunch. But while the box boasts that the new (apparently original) ending is somehow "controversial," in truth it feels every bit the compromise as the rest of the flashy but facile film, the kind of flick that works overtime to achieve some degree of verisimilitude yet can't help showing its star tooling around in a well-maintained and freshly cleaned four-wheel product placement.

"Enchanted" (Disney, PG, 2007): The original "Shrek" cleverly took the dopiness of fairy tales and turned it on its head. "Enchanted" takes dopey fairy tales and drops them in Manhattan. It's a better premise than it is a plot, and when the plot does poke its ugly head up the kids will likely tune out. The same goes for the forgettable musical numbers supporting the action, which tellingly earned whopping three separate Oscar nominations yet won nothing. Still, it's all harmless, occasionally charming fun.

"Battlestar Galactica" (Universal, 2006, Not Rated): Hats off to any "Battlestar Galactica" fan who survived the interminable wait for season 3 on DVD without turning to the illegal dark corners of the internet for a quick fix. The reward: stellar sound and picture quality, plus tons of extras the hardcore have come to expect from one of TV's most ambitious soap operas - not just commentaries but podcasts, among other treats, enough to stave off any depression stemming from the knowledge that the series is wrapping things up.