WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Wolf
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 13 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Kate Nelligan

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 3
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 71156
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $$39.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 125
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 2/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Mike Nichols
(Screenplay/Written By): Jim Harrison & Wesley Strick
(Story): NA
(Music): Ennio Morricone
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Bo Welch
(Visual Effects): Sony Pictures Imageworks
(Costume Designer): Ann Roth
(Editor): Sam O’Steen
(Supervising Sound Editors): Stan Bochner
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Neil Machlis & Robert Greenhut
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Douglas Wick

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.76:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): SDDS (8) Digital
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
This hair-raising social satire finds Nicholson as Will Randall whose life changes forever when he gets out of a car to examine the wolf he accidentally hit on a quiet forest road. Pfeiffer plays Laura Alden, the seductive “beauty” to Randall’s “beast.” When Randall is bitten by a wolf, his newly keen senses give him insight into his cheating wife (Nelligan), back-stabbing associate (Spader) and romantic ally Alden. From beginning to end characters weave in and out around the metamorphosed Randall as he struggles to adjust to his unusual predicament.

LaserDisc Picture:
Picture quality is a bit disappointing in light of the HD mastering process promise, particularly with respect to skintones which appear to be “painted” in some scenes for an inconsistent look. Yet numerous scenes are clearly superior to conventionally mastered presentations. Contrast is excellent and the colors are vivid. Images are sharp and detailed with a brilliancy that is sure to please. Shadow detail is good although the slightest grain and noise are perceptual in the darker scenes. The picture has been matted at 1.76:1.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The theatrical release was in SDDS. The sound here is questionably effective. Many scenes are essentially mono, others have some surround envelopment, but overall the sound is disappointing and below potential.
(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: