The early 2000s were a wild time, in reality but most definitely in the cinema. With the classic 90s blockbuster being ever so slightly moved aside for the more bombastic, stylised, heavy on the CGI and with a much bigger emphasis on technology version of the blockbuster. Computers, hacking and cyber crimes were becoming more popular themes and almost all had a touch of The Matrix about them. Combining action with thrills and a computer screen with an impossible code that only that one special person could crack, Swordfish takes its place amongst the collection of titles that have this familiar setup. Finally, enough time has passed we can look back at these films with fond memories. Move over 90s nostalgia, the 2000s are having their day. Again.

When ex-con and computer hacker Stanley (Hugh Jackman) is approached by a mysterious organisation, he finds himself dragged into the seedy underground world of Gabriel Shear (John Travolta). They all but force him into executing a hack that involves robbing a bank. Wanting to gain custody of his daughter and have enough to set them up for life, Stanley can only comply. But all is not quite what it seems, especially when the robbery doesn't go according to plan.

Released at the start of Hugh Jackman's rise to fame, thanks to his starring role in X-Men and to a lesser extent, Kate & Leopold, Swordfish still helped put his name on the list of even more Hollywood casting directors. But despite Jackman being centre stage, this film really belongs to John Travolta and the terrible haircut he sports throughout. Swordfish is about the villain and trying to guess his ulterior motive and boy does Travolta make every second count when he's on screen. Halle Berry makes an impression but is criminally underused, in a time when directors were still catching up to the fact that Berry was far more than a pretty face. But the action sequences, even the hacking conversations all make for a relatively fun film, for its time.

Though there is enough to become excited about seeing again, not to mention revisiting one Travolta's most iconic looks, Swordfish is not without faults. The questionable scene where Stanley is made to crack a code under pressure is nothing short of sexual assault. Being just waived off as blowjob gag won't sit easily with a newer audience. It is better forgotten about by those who love the film. But like any film that wasn't made in the last 10 years, you could say, the film is of its time. Aside from these moments, the plot only appears to be overly convoluted, with the use of hacking etc, but underneath, Swordfish is not as ‘cool' as it wants to appear. With some misdirection, already foreshadowed from the opening conversation, lies and mysterious bodies in freezers, it's a by-the-numbers crime story.

It was only a matter of time before we would reach this point as the 2000s nostalgia has hit the heights across media, through books, music, fashion and film with remakes and sequels galore. We're also getting ‘classic' 2000s era films seeing the light of day again thanks to re-releases and, of course, in physical media form. Arrow Video has made sure to offer up a slick UHD 4K release of Swordfish, honouring the original as well as including brand new extras, as well as an illustrated booklet and a double-sided poster featuring new artwork. Arrow really know their way to a collector's heart.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
• 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary by director Dominic Sena
• Soundtrack Hacker, a brand new interview with composer Paul Oakenfold
• How to Design a Tech Heist, a brand new interview with production designer Jeff Mann
• HBO First Look: Swordfish, a promotional behind-the-scenes featurette
• Effects in Focus: The Flying Bus, a promotional featurette detailing how the film's iconic climactic scene was created
• Planet Rock Club Reel, a music video by the film's co-composer Paul Oakenfold
• Swordfish: In Conversation, a promotional featurette with interviews from cast and crew members including actors Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Sam Shepard, director Dominic Sena, and producer Joel Silver
• Two alternate endings
• Theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
• Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Priscilla Page and an article from American Cinematographer about the film's opening sequence

Swordfish is released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on June 9th

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