WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Mouse Hunt
Genre:Family

Reviewed In Issue 34 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Vicki Lewis, Maury Chaykin, William Hickey, Christopher Walken

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): DreamWorks Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): ID5911DW
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $29.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 96
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1997
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Gore Verbinski
(Screenplay/Written By): Adam Rifkin
(Story): NA
(Music): Alan Silvestri
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Linda DeScenna
(Visual Effects): Rhythm & Hues Studios
(Costume Designer): Jill Ohanneson
(Editor): Craig Wood
(Supervising Sound Editors): NA
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Alan Riche, Tony Ludwig, Bruce Cohen

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
After the death of their father, two down-on-their-luck brothers (Lane and Evans) inherit a string factory and decrepit country mansion in Mouse Hunt. What they’re really after is some quick cash, so when they discover that the estate is worth millions, they set about trying to sell the house. There’s just one little problem: They’ve got to get rid of its stubborn occupant... a tenacious little mouse. This seemingly simple task becomes a battle of hysterical proportions.

LaserDisc Picture:
The LaserDisc picture is marred by horribly distracting noise that is even apparent on characters’ faces. Otherwise, image quality is pleasing, with rich color fidelity in interiors, generally natural fleshtones and deep, pure blacks. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered throughout, and revealing of a natural gradation between darkness and picture black. The LaserDisc is matted at 1.82:1.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Digital discrete 5.1 audio is spatially exciting with exemplary surround envelopment. Aggressive split surround energy is prominent throughout and effectively creates a holosonic soundfield experience. Bass is powerful, to below 25Hz with .1 LFE enhancement. The wonderfully sweeping music score is expansive and dynamic and wraps deep into the surrounds. Sound effects are produced in stereo, and the surround presence is aggressive and directionalized.
(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): Yes
(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:
No
Collector Edition:
No