WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Fallen
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 30 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davitz, James Gandolfini, Elias Koteas

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

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number): T6434
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 125
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1998
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Gregory Hoblit
(Screenplay/Written By): Nicholas Kazan
(Story): NA
(Music): Tan Dun
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Terrence Marsh
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Lawrence Jordan
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Elon Dershowitz, Nicholas Kazan, Robert Cavallo & Ted Kurdyla
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Charles Roven & Dawn Steel

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Panavision
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.40:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Fallen is an intense thriller starring Denzel Washington as a homicide detective pursuing the most elusive of killers—a demonic spectre that passes from one innocent human to another as it carries out its evil deeds.

LaserDisc Picture:


LaserDisc Soundtrack:
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(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:
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
The LaserDisc and anamorphic DVD both look excellent, delivering superb contrast, shadow detail and color fidelity. Images are sharp and detailed, especially on the DVD, with its increased resolution. Color fidelity is naturally rendered and often stylized, with accurate fleshtones, rich and vibrant colors and deep, solid blacks. The stylized sequences are grainy and lack detail, but are intentionally used to create a harsh atmosphere. There are no distracting artifacts or disturbing noise on either version. The LaserDisc and DVD letterbox aspect ratios are framed at 2.35:1, while the anamorphic version is 2.23:1. Both the Dolby® Digital DVD and LaserDisc 5.1 discrete soundtracks, and the LaserDisc matrix PCM soundtrack are excellent. As pointed out on numerous occasions in other comparative reviews, the matrix PCM soundtracks resolve low level ambiences much better than the Dolby Digital coded version. This is no exception. While soundstage delineation is slightly better resolved on the discrete, the soundfield is spatially better on the PCM matrix version. Surrounds are often aggressive and the discrete delivers effective separation for a truly dimensional soundfield experience. Bass is deep and powerful with the .1 LFE effectively more dynamic sounding. Dialogue is naturally rendered with good spatial integration on both versions. The music score is terrific and well recorded with excellent soundstage imaging for a pleasing soundtrack on both versions.