WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Carlito’s Way
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 09 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 4
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MCA/Universal Home Video
(Catalog Number): 41891
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $44.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 145
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1993
(LD Release Date): 04/01/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

Credits Information
(Director): Brian DePalma
(Screenplay/Written By): David Koepp
(Story): NA
(Music): Jellybean Benitez
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Richard Sylbert
(Visual Effects): Pacific Data Image
(Costume Designer): Aude Bronson Howard
(Editor): Bill Pankow
(Supervising Sound Editors): Maurice Schell, M.P.S.E.
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Louis A. Stroller & Ortwin Freyermuth
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Martin Bregman, Willi Baer & Michael S. Bregman

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Panavision
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.40:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.40:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): DTS Digital
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
In Carlito’s Way, former drug kingpin Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino), sprung from prison on a legal technicality by his cocaine addicted attorney (Sean Penn), stuns the underworld when he vows to go straight. But his dream of going legitimate is undermined at every turn by murderous former cronies and even deadlier young thugs out to make a name for themselves.

LaserDisc Picture:
The film is presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The picture exhibits excellent contrast and color rendition. Fleshtones are unusually natural. Focus is sharp with excellent black textures and shadow detail. There are no artifacts or noise to mar the superb visual experience.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack theatrically was in DTS-Six discrete digital. While well recorded, this matrix version from the Dolby SR Print Master does not convey the same spatial impact and dynamics as the DTS presentation. The music provides the overall surround envelopment with occasionally effective surround effects. The orchestral music score is punctuated with a latin dance style that pulsates.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: