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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Mrs. Doubtfire Collector’s Edition
    Genre:Comedy

    Reviewed In Issue 13 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein.

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

    Supplementals
    What makes this a “collector’s” edition is the wonderful running commentary by director Chris Columbus and over 30 minutes of fully edited scenes deleted from the theatrical release which fill CAV Side 5. There are some scenes with very funny improvisational takes by Robin Williams. Unfortunately we are never advised as to where in the sequence of the film these unused scenes would have appeared. Other material includes on-camera interviews with members of the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, storyboards, animation pencil tests, production stills, shooting script and theatrical trailers and TV spots.

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 8607-85
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Retail Price): $$99.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 125
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1993
    (LD Release Date): 3/1/95
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

    Credits Information
    (Director): Chris Columbus
    (Screenplay/Written By): Randi Mayem Singer & Leslie Dixon
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Howard Shore
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Angelo Graham
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Raja Gosnell
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Matthew Rushton
    (Co-Producers): Joan Bradshaw
    (Producers): Marsha Garces Williams, Robin Williams & Mark Radcliffe

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

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

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Mrs. Doubtfire, based on “Alias Madame Doubtfrie” by Ann Fune, is a delightfully hilarious and surprisingly touching comedy starring the hysterical Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard, a voiceover actor who deeply loves his family but finds that his wife wants a divorce because she feels she can no longer accept his whimsical and irresponsible behavior which has just cost him another job. Out-of-work and embattled in a custody battle over his three children, which he loses, he will do anything to see his children even though his visitation rights are restricted. When his almost ex-wife (Field) places an ad for a housekeeper, Daniel transforms himself into a loveable 60-year old woman with the help of his make-up artist brother (Fierstein) and to get the job as the nanny to his kids so that he can watch over them everyday.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    In our last review (Issue 9) of the THX® Laser Disc Program quality assured widescreen edition the picture did not rate a P5. I do not know if this is a new transfer or just a proper pressing. The aspect ratio remains 2.35:1 as the visual style which appears to be a bit over-lit and unnaturally bright, especially throughout the interior scenes which have a “lit TV” look. Still the picture is clean looking with ex-cellent detail. While contrast was a bit lacking and colors a bit undersaturated making the picture look slightly washed-out in the previous presentation, this new edition renders colors richer for a significant improvement in color fidelity and contrast. As before the disc is free of noise and other video artifacts.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack features a wonderfully supporting orchestral music score composed by Howard Shore. The music score is the only element that provides a stereophonic presence and a sense of surround envelopment. Otherwise this is essentially a monaural soundtrack. Both effects and dialogue are limited to a monaural presentation with the exception of a few isolated directional effects, but dialogue is well recorded and always clear.
    (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: