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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Patch Adams


Ultimate Edition
Genre: Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 52 (Sept 2001) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Daniel London, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bob Gunton, Irma P. Hall, Josef Sommer, Peter Coyote, Michael Jeter, Harve Presnell & Richard Kiley

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: 4
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3
Internet Links
http://www.universalstudios.com/home

Special Features
Two-disc


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 21278
(MPAA Rating): PG13
(Rating Reason):

Rated PG-13 for some strong language and crude humor.
(Retail Price): $26.98
(DVD Type): Two DVD-9 Discs
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): Yes
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 115
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1998
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 07/17/01
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Tom Shadyac
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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(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!
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(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:
Robin Williams stars as Patch Adams in this based-on-a-true-story comedy-inspiration-drama. Patch Adams is a doctor who believes that healing is encouraged through laughter and good spirits. He is surprised to discover that many of his colleagues do not agree with, or condone, his laughter-as-medicine approach. But even at the risk of his career, Patch pulls out all the stops to dispense a daily dose of mirth to those in his care. (Laurie Sevano)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD appears to be the same as the previously released DVD, and exhibits excellent quality with superb color balance. Images are sharp and detailed with excellent vertical and horizontal resolution for superb fine details and clarity. Some of the darkest scenes are a bit plugged-up, but exhibit pleasing shadow delineation and contrast. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby


  WSR DVD-ROM Review
DVD-ROM Enhancements Rating:
Disappointing

DVD-ROM Review:
From the DVD-ROM main menu, you are given links to The Story, The Cast, The Filmmakers, Features, Behind the Scenes, and Script to Film. In The Story, you can find a very detailed write-up, including and introduction of the characters and setting, as well as quotes from interviews by the cast and crew on the film. Six cast biographies can be found in The Cast. Each biography includes a listing of the films he or she has been in, as well as a color photo. The Filmmakers contains 13 crew member biographies, in the same format as the cast biographies. Clicking the Features link will send you to a page where you are able to view the special features available on the DVD-Video portion of the disc. Behind the Scenes is where you can find a detailed essay on the production, from cast selection to wrap-up. Another dull script can be found in the Script to Film section. The same template as most of the other titles around is used. Plainly said, the features available with Patch Adams are boring. The motionless, bland backgrounds are enough to make me fall asleep. If this title just had a totally new design and implementation, it may have deserved a higher rating. (Danny Richelieu)