Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
WSR Detailed DVD Review
Empire
2002
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 72 (May 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
John Leguizamo, Peter Sarsgaard, Denise Richards, Vincent Laresca, Nestor Serrano, Delilah Cotto, Sonia Braga & Isabella Rossellini

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3
Internet Links
http://www.empiremovie.com
http://www.universalstudios.com/home
Special Features
Includes audio commentary featuring director Franc. Reyes and director of photography Kramer Morgenthau, a 22-minute making-of featurette, 21 deleted or extended scenes, footage from the Hollywood premiere (four minutes), a soundtrack sampler, production notes, cast and filmmaker bios, and DVD-ROM content. An option to access the menus in Espa


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 23053
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Strong violence, pervasive language, drug content and some sexuality
(Retail Price): $26.98
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 99
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2002
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 03/18/03
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Franc. Reyes
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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(Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
(Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Editor): Subscribe Now!
(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
(Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Picture Information

(Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
(Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Sound Information

(DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
After making a lot of money selling an illegal drug called "Empire," Victor Rosa (Leguizamo) is determined to keep on making money but in a legitimate way. When Victor meets Jack Wimmer (Sarsgaard), an investment banker, he believes that he

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD offers a gritty, edgy picture that is complementary to the storytelling. Images are sharp, with crisp, nicely rendered details. Colors are rich and well balanced, with accurate fleshtones and deep blacks. At times, the color scheme can have a stylized appearance, with a wash of warm hues or occasionally desaturated, cooler colors. Edge enhancement can be offensive at times, but there are many scenes which are free from its distraction. There is some minor pixel breakup that gives the picture an undesirable

Soundtrack:
The Dolby