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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Men In Black
    Genre:Science Fiction

    Reviewed In Issue 27 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn & Tony Shalhoub

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 5
    Sound Rating: 5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 82656
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Retail Price): $39.95
    (Running Time In Minutes): 98
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1997
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Barry Sonnenfield
    (Screenplay/Written By):
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    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 Digital Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): SDDS & Dolby Digital
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
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    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star as Agents K and J in the playfully hip and hilarious science fiction comedy Men In Black. On a routine investigation, veteran MIB agent K (Jones) discovers a talented young New York police officer (Smith), whom he recruits to join the ranks of the elite organization. While investigating a series of top secret close encounters, these MIB agents uncover the deadly plot of an intergalactic terrorist “bug” who is on a mission to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies currently residing in New York. To prevent the destruction of the Earth, K and J must do relentless detective work to track down the alien terrorist. Based on Lowell Cunningham’s comic, Men In Black became one of 1997’s biggest grossing films.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The outstanding picture, matted at 1.82:1, exhibits exemplary color fidelity with natural fleshtones, rich and warm colors and deep solid blacks. Images are extremely sharp and detailed on this Sony High Definition transfer with excellent shadow detail and contrast in the darker scenes. There is absolutely no noise or artifacts, for a completely natural presentation throughout.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    Both the Dolby® Digital 5.1 discrete and PCM matrix soundtracks are terrific with differences that are not as dramatic as one would expect, no doubt due to careful printmaster transfer matrix encoding. The difference is the Dolby Digital’s capability to render split surround effects, which are often impressive and preferred, but the PCM resolves low level ambience sounds that are nowhere to be heard in the discrete. The music score is nicely recorded with excellent soundstage imaging and depth. Dialogue sounds natural with good spatial integration, except when noticeably ADR-produced.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
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    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
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    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: