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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Dark Blue
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 75 (Aug 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Kurt Russell, Brendan Gleeson, Scott Speedman, Michael Michele, Lolita Davidovich, Dash Mihok, Jonathan Banks, Graham Beckel & Ving Rhames

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
    DD Sound Rating: 4.5
    DTS Sound Rating: NA
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 4.5
    Internet Links
    http://www.mgm.com/dvd
    http://www.unitedartists.com
    Special Features
    Includes an audio commentary track by director Ron Shelton, three making-of featurettes (the 18-minute Code Blue, the seven-minute By The Book, and the seven-minute Necessary Force) found under the Internal Affairs menu selection, a still gallery, and the theatrical and bonus trailers.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 1004603
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Violence, language and brief sexuality
    (Retail Price): $26.98
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): Yes
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 118
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2002
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 06/24/03
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Ron Shelton
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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    (Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
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    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
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    (Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Picture Information

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

      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Eldon Perry (Russell) is a cop working in the LAPD Special Investigations unit. When his partner Bobby Keough (Speedman) is being investigated for inappropriate use of deadly force, Perry defends him even though he knows he was in the wrong. Police Chief Arthur Holland (Rhames) is aware there is corruption in the SIS unit and is trying to put a stop to it but he won't get help from Perry, who has his own beliefs when it comes to putting away the bad guy. However, when Perry and Keough track down two guys responsible for robbery and murder and Van Meter (Gleeson), the head of SIS, lets them off and frames two innocent ex-cons instead, Perry suddenly develops a conscience. Deciding to play it straight for the first time in his career, Perry wonders if he should start working with the Chief and against the "Dark Blue" corruption he has been surrounding himself with. (Tricia Littrell)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD exhibits a picture that, perhaps thematically, can have a slight blue tinge noticed in the color scheme. However, there are many scenes that appear well balanced, though somewhat desaturated. Fleshtones are quite natural, though sometimes a bit hot, and blacks are deep, but undefined. Sharpness and detail are satisfying, though some scenes appear a bit flat and wanting in definition. Minor dirt is occasionally noticed in the source element. Edge enhancement can be bothersome at times, but pixelization is not much of a problem. (Suzanne Hodges) The disc also includes a modified 1.33:1 (4:3) full screen version (not reviewed) on the flip side.

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

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