It was inevitable that the tragic events of 9/11 would spawn television and film dramatizations. The catastrophe quickly influenced almost everything produced immediately afterwards. Homeland Security is a failed NBC pilot. Unlike most discarded pilots Paramount decided to release this one as a direct-to-video feature. I’m not sure what the thinking behind this move was, but it was well thought out. The very things that made this a poor subject for a series make it an even worse feature release. There have been, and here will continue to be, dramas based on the attacks. Exciting episodes, particularly those in New York, have had to wrestle with presenting these events. All have been forced to deal with the reality of the impact on our society. Our entertainment simply must reflect our lives. With that said, this is simply a tasteless and obvious exploitation of those events. The film begins with a cursory look at the attack planning and soon moves into exposing the inter-agency problems which were partly responsible for the tragedy. Before you know it the attacks have occurred and a group of folks are being assembled to work in the newly formed Homeland Security department. The major flaw is how quickly the events themselves are given in the scheme of things. There would have been more promise if they had established the characters inside the organization and dealt with the aftermath of 9/11. Instead the show is exploitation and has little to offer.
Audio
A simple Dolby Digital mono 2.0 audio track. Everything about this release, including the audio, says average. Dialogue is fine as is the typical television budget score.
Video
Homeland Security is presented in a letterbox 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Lighting is not always well done on this presentation, so colors are often washed out and rather dull. Black levels are adequate, and you will notice considerable grain.
Special Features
Nothing.
Final Thoughts
I strongly recommend you simply pass on this film. There are plenty of the formula procedure shows already to satisfy those cravings. The best thing this release has going for it is its 87 minute running time. If you are at all sensitive to the events of 9/11 then you absolutely MUST AVOID this DVD. Why did Paramount decide to release this failed pilot? “I’m not exactly sure myself.”
