Earthquake

STATS
Anamorphic Widescreen (Letterbox 2.35:1), Color, CC, 5.1, Sensurround 3.1 Languages: English, Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Chapters: 18 they are not listed in the main menu but accessible via remote, Running Time: 2 hrs. 3 mins., Rated PG, Price: $14.95



VISUAL
This is a newly remastered anamorphic transfer – improving over the past DVD release through another company; and the LaserDisc version previous. The improvement is across the board, in color, hue, contrast, and detail. The elements used are clean and offer a sparkling image with wonderful crisp images that will fair well on any size monitor. Some low lit scenes show some grain, but otherwise this is a really good transfer

AUDIO
This is where it gets very strange. The past laser release was a Stereo Surround mix seemingly taken from a 4.0 mix that was made compatible with Dolby Pro-logic. This new DVD release has a weird mix dubbed “Sensurround” in 3.1. The 3 being the front left, center, and right, and .1 for the subwoofer (as in 5.1) The strange thing about this is that there is no real center channel. Dialog seems to waver amongst all front channels. There is no rear information, and .1 bass isn’t all that impressive. The new 5.1 mix is an improvement with a nice wide separation betweens the front creating an expansive front soundstage that is more akin to an older 4-track mix. Although most dialog is centered it is panned from time to time giving way to an older style mix that re-creates the aura of the decade the film was made. Music and effects are also spread out showing off the mix. I didn’t really notice any real information in the rears which was a disappointment since the old Laser release takes advantage of that – namely, traffic and even airplanes (during the quick shot of LAX) SENSURROUND was a very different animal, not just a bass track added into a mix of a film. (See below SIGHTS & INSIGHTS to a link on more on this.) It doesn’t make sense that this 3.0 mix has been dubbed SENSURROUND. But then this is one of many reasons this release lacks any real effort on the part of UNIVERSAL.

EXTRAS
NONE. More on this in PRESENTATION below.


Disc

PRESENTATION
I don’t understand UNIVERSAL’s lack of effort on this film. This shameful release is more akin to a rack-jobber rather than a major studio – especially for a film that earned 2 Academy Awards and earned lots of money for the studio that produced it.
The lack of bonus materials – even a trailer – is enough to complain about, but add to that no listed menu for chapters it unforgivable. Shoddy isn’t the word for the packaging art which also is akin to bargain bin slop seen in so many supermarkets and close-out stores. If this release was through another company as a pick-up I could understand, but not from the original production company.
My only guess would be this transfer is a High-Def one, and that bonus materials were indeed produced but it was felt by higher ups at UNIVERSAL it would be better to wait and used them for a future High-Def DVD release. Perhaps it was felt this title couldn’t hold two separate releases so it would be better to hold back on one and play out their cards on the latter. Still, a film that earned a studio so much revenue should have been treated better. It would have been wiser to simply wait.
Shameful – I hope you read this Colleen Ben.

SIGHTS AND INSIGHTS
For more info/background on SENSURROUND …

REVIEW by Scott Michael Bosco©
RETURN to the DIGITAL CINEMA Main Page




READ THE ARTICLE ON SENSURROUND