Inspector Morse: The Last Enemy (2002)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Written by Peter Buckman, based upon the novel by Colin Dexter
Directed by James Scott
Starring John Thaw, Kevin Whately, Amanda Hillwood, Peter Woodthorpe, James Grout, Clare Holman

Features:

• Text biographies
  
• Selected filmographies
  
• Trivia
  

Released by: BFS Entertainment
Region: 1
Rating: NR, suitable for 13+
Anamorphic: N/A; presented in original 1.33:1 aspect

My Advice: Rent it.

In this mystery starring the marvelous John Thaw as Inspector Morse, Morse is confronted with a mysterious body found in a canal. Clues found on the body link it to Oxford University and a deadly rivalry for a prestigious position and possible academic theft. It is up to Morse to discover why and how this rivalry has led to murder and who was willing to kill to get what he wanted.

Many of the in-jokes and sources of tension in this episode of the Morse saga will be appreciated most by academics or those viewers who have spent quality time in the Ivory Tower. Casual viewers might not quite understand how allegations of stolen research might end a career and lead to desperation and murder. But even non-academics will appreciate the humanity, both good and bad, displayed in this film and love how Morse slowly, methodically unravels the truth.

The audio and film quality are both comparable to a good TV series today. This is to say that some scenes are not as crisp and brilliantly colored as cinema film stock usually is, but it still looks plenty good enough for a casual viewing.

The features are a good look at the actors who make these films what they are. There are text biographies, as well as trivia that is not a game of any sort, but is a listing of minor facts that will make your viewing fuller and more enjoyable. The actors for the main characters all have selected filmographies, as well. It would be nice to have had a listing of the original books and maybe a scene-by-scene comparison, but as it is, this is a decent listing for this release.

Overall, if you enjoy police procedurals, solid mysteries with lots of complex characters, and interesting characters, then you should enjoy The Last Enemy. There is a bit more humor in this episode, and so people who do not care for the gritty, maudlin, or disturbing elements of mysteries would find this one much more amenable. Check this one out if you want to be entertained while at the same time giving your brain a workout.