WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Man’s Best Friend
Genre:Science Fiction

Reviewed In Issue 13 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Ally Sheedy, Lance Henriksen, Robert Costanzo, Fredric Lahne, John Cassini.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 3.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID2449LI
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 87
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 6/1/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): John Lafia
(Screenplay/Written By): John Lafia
(Story): NA
(Music): Joel Goldsmith
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Jaymes Hinkle
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Michael N. Knue, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Robert Kosberg & Daniel Grodnik
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Bob Engelman

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

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:
Man’s Best Friend is the story of a dangerous experiment that goes wrong when a genetically enhanced guard dog escapes and his predatory urge runs out of control. When an ambitious TV journalist, played by Ally Sheedy breaks into a questionable re-search facility she uncovers the lab’s most dangerous experiment, a guard dog named Max who has been given skills from other deadly predators and superior strength and intelligence. Max follows her home but without the neuropathic drugs needed to curb his aggressive nature, once he tastes blood, nothing can stop his killer instinct.

LaserDisc Picture:
Matted at 1.85:1 the overall look is very sharp. Shadow detail is excellent and contrast and color fidelity are first-rate. The picture is natural and fleshtones are accurate. Black are deep and the picture is solid with minimal noise and no artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack that played in digital theatrically was DTS. This has the occasional ef-fective surrounds beyond that of the ambient envelopment provided by the music score. Nevertheless, this is a typical Hollywood mix whose elements are obviously manufactured without the necessary cohesiveness that makes for great soundtracks.
(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: