The use of techniques such as fades, reflection, zoom-ins and mattes is stunning. The integration of CGI, matte and real action is seamless, with out any detectable flaw. Zemeckis' direction builds on top of the realism generated by the screenplay and performances to create a film of incredible scope and vision. Unlike so many modern movies the sound track is never the center of attention. No booming popular songs to distract you from the screen.
Music is used as punctuation for the drama and sets the mood.
Zemeckis is not even afraid of using silence during key scenes making the viewer even more aware of the action on the screen. Even the very first scene shown in the movie sets the stage for an incredible marriage between direction and special effects. The DVD starts with a loud burst of sound coming from all six speakers at once. You see the planet earth filling the screen. As the scene pans back the speakers now play distinctly different things, songs and news broadcasts.