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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Searching For Bobby Fisher
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 11 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Joe Mantegna, Laurence Fishburne, Joan Allen, Max Pomeranc, Ben Kingsley.

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 4
    Sound Rating: 4.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Video
    (Catalog Number): LV 32673-WS
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Retail Price): $$34.95
    (Running Time In Minutes): 111
    (Color Type): Color With Black & White Sequences
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1993
    (LD Release Date): 7/1/94
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Steven Zaillian
    (Screenplay/Written By): Steven Zaillian
    (Story): NA
    (Music): James Horner
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): David Gropman
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Wayne Wahrman, ACE
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Sydney Pollack
    (Co-Producers): David Wisnievitz
    (Producers): Scott Rudin & William Horberg

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.82:1

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

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Searching For Bobby Fisher is based upon the book by Fred Waitzkin and poses the problem of being a child prodigy with the danger of losing his or her ordinary place in the world. Seven-year-old Josh Waizkin, played by Max Pomeranc, himself a highly regarded chess player, is fascinated by the game of chess and spends his time watching players who congregate in Washington Square Park, especially speed player Vinnie (Laurence Fishburne) whom Josh turns for encouragement to develop his very rare gift. Josh’s father (Joe Mantegna) on discovering his son’s talent, is determined he will become a champion and hires expert Bruce Pandolfini (Ben Kingsley) to mold him into the playing machine he can become.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture quality is overall pleasing with good image detail, natural fleshtones and good contrast. Although there is some grain no other artifacts mar this 1.82:1 transfer.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby Surround® soundtrack delivers subtle but effectively powerful surround envelopment. The music score is wonderful.
    (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: