WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Phenomenon
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 27 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker, Jeffrey DeMunn & Robert Duvall

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4
Sound Rating: 4.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Touchstone Home Video
(Catalog Number): 12159 AS
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $59.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 123
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1996
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered):

Credits Information
(Director): John Turteltaub
(Screenplay/Written By): Gerald DiPego
(Story): NA
(Music): Thomas Newman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Garreth Stover
(Visual Effects): Sony Pictures Imageworks
(Costume Designer): Betsy Cox
(Editor): Bruce Green, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors): Mark Mangini
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Charles Newirth & Jonathan D. Kane
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Barbara Boyle & Michael Taylor

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.32:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): DTS Digital Surround
(Theatrical Sound): SDDS & Dolby Digital
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Travolta as the well-liked, kindhearted mechanic George Malley, who, on the night of his 37th birthday, is struck to the ground unconscious by a mysterious light. When he comes to, he realizes he has developed amazing mental and telekinetic abilities. At first, his small Northern California town marvels at the miracles George performs—languages within minutes, earthquake predictions—but soon his incredible knowledge and power causes even his long-time friends to turn away. George soon comes to realize, through this wondrous experience, what is important in his life and the lives around him.

LaserDisc Picture:


LaserDisc Soundtrack:
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): Yes
(Aggressive System Surround): Yes
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): Yes
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: