This is a very rare appearance for Mann, whose first commentary this is (I believe). He is a very pragmatic and intelligent speaker, talking in depth about his casting choices and reasons for modifying the final version that is shown on this Director's Cut dvd. There are some dry spots, but for the most part, this is a really informative commentary track from an oft-absent commentator. The same treatment ought to be given to Mohicans, The Insider, and Heat, but one can only dream.

While there are the occasional lulls, Mann talks at length and very eloquently about the themes of the movie. He points out that that this was one of the first films to feature a main character who is a profiler of serial killers. However, while Mann does acknowledge the added footage, he doesn't always explain why he put it back in, nor does he talk about some of the footage he has subsequently cut, like an excellent monologue delivered by Graham in regards to his feelings about Dollarhyde.

The only bit you'll ever hear about Mann's thoughts on filmmaking is at the very end during the credits. Everything else is the usual enriching of the film through psychoanalysis of characters and their actions, and background information. Overall it's better than the last one I heard which was Thief where he was paired with Caan (recorded presumably during the time he was making Heat as one of the first tracks)