WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Stargate
Genre:Science Fiction

Reviewed In Issue 13 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Viveca Lindfors.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4.5
Sound Rating: 5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Live Entertainment
(Catalog Number): ID60190-WS
(MPAA Rating): PG13
(Retail Price): $$44.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 122
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 4/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

Credits Information
(Director): Roland Emmerich
(Screenplay/Written By): Dean Devlin & Roland Emmerich
(Story): NA
(Music): David Arnold
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Holger Gross
(Visual Effects): NA
(Costume Designer): Joseph Porro
(Editor): Michael J. Duthie & Derek Brechin
(Supervising Sound Editors): NA
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Mario Kassar
(Co-Producers): Ute Emmerich
(Producers): Joel B. Michaels, Oliver Eberle & Dean Devlin

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

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Professor Daniel Jackson (Spader) is a science expert on a secret mission to decode an Egyptian artifact known as the Stargate. When he deciphers the code, its power is revealed as a mysterious passageway to the unknown. Mission leader, Colonel Jack O’Neil (Russell) commandeers a trip through the Stargate to an civilization on the other side of the universe, similar to that of ancient Egypt.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture adheres to the theatrical 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Contrast and color fidelity is ex-celent. Images are sharp and detailed, however there are scenes in which the images are over-enhanced resulting in distracting white illuminated edges. This is not the norm for a THX® quality assured presentation. This digital artifact was apparent in the desert scenes in particular. Otherwise the picture is solid and noiseless with excellent black definition.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
Stargate was originally released theatrically by MGM/UA exclusively in DTS® Digital. LIVE Entertainment, who licensed home video rights, has released the LaserDisc with the 5.1 soundtrack presented in the Dolby AC-3® system. The sound is wonderfully spatial, and rates as one of the best 5.1 discrete presentations I have ever heard, near fully ex-ploiting the soundfield capability of the 5.1 palette. The sound is enveloping and dynamic from the opening scene with its richly textured chorus and score to the thunderous downpours of rain that produce chill after chill punctuated with directional and powerful bass energy to below 25 Hz in the discrete surround channels. The seventh symbol se-quence and the scene depicting the passage to the otherside of the Stargate are awesome, producing a convincing soundfield that transports the viewer/listener into each scene. The Dolby Surround® version is comparably im-pressive for that format. Disconcerting was the occasional momentary dropout on the AC-3 soundtrack. In one review session four drop-outs were heard but none were repeatable at the point of original occurrence. I have no explanation other than possible data or decoder error.
(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: