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
Contractor, The


Genre: Action Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 123 (Sept 2007) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Wesley Snipes, Lena Headley, Ralph Brown, Charles Dance, John Standing, Gemma Jones, Richard Harrington, Iain Robertson, Ryan McCluskey & Eliza Bennett

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: NR
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4
Internet Links


Special Features
Special features are limited to a 21-minute behind-the-scenes featurette and previews, which are also forced.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 17596
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

For violence and language
(Retail Price): $24.96
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 98
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2006
(Theatrical Release): No
(Direct-To-Video Release): Yes
(DVD Release Date): 07/10/07
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Josef Rusnak
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
(Story): Subscribe Now!
(Music): Subscribe Now!
(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!
(Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
(DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
(Additional Languages): Subscribe Now!
(Subtitles): Subscribe Now!
(WSR Superb Sound Qualities): Subscribe Now!

  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Retired sharpshooter and assassin James Dial (Snipes) is haunted by his last job, where he failed to kill the head of an international terrorist organization. When his former employers offer him a chance to redeem himself by flying to London to finish the job he previously botched, he accepts. It soon becomes clear that his ex-bosses may have framed him for murder. With the British police in hot pursuit, The Contractor must prove his innocence with the aid of the only person he can trust, a twelve-year-old girl he reluctantly befriends. Based on a story by Robert Katz and Andre Farwagi. (Stacey Pendry)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD looks bland and undersaturated, with a drab color scheme used throughout. Black levels are fairly deep, although not inky, and shadow delineation is rendered well. Details are captured well, although the finest details are slightly soft. Edge enhancement and pixel breakup are not overly exaggerated. (Danny Richelieu)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby