WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Bottle Rocket
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 22 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Owen C. Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Andrew Wilson, Lumi Cavazos, James Caan

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

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 11626
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $34.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 91
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1996
(LD Release Date): 10/9/96
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Wes Anderson
(Screenplay/Written By): Owen C. Wilson & Wes Anderson
(Story): NA
(Music): Mark Mothersbaugh
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): David Wasco
(Visual Effects): NA
(Costume Designer): Karen Patch
(Editor): David Moritz
(Supervising Sound Editors): Roxanne Jones & Jeremy Gordon
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): James L. Brooks, Richard Sakai, Barbara Boyle & Michael Taylor
(Co-Producers): Ray Zimmerman & L.M. Kit Carson
(Producers): Polly Platt & Cynthia Hargrave

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
In the quirky comedy Bottle Rocket, Anthony (Luke Wilson), freshly discharged from a mental hospital, accommodates the fantasies of his lifelong friend Dignan (Owen C. Wilson), by climbing out a window via a bedsheet rather than walking out the door. Thus begins the story of three Texas boys whose lives show that loyalty and friendship can collectively resemble stupidity. These friends seek to escape their suburban boredom by embarking on a life of crime under the direction of master criminal Mr. Henry (James Caan).

LaserDisc Picture:
The 1.82:1 picture is inconsistent throughout. A hazy character leaves images wanting in sharpness and detail with vivid, sometimes undersaturated colors and natural fleshtones. Shadow detail is excellent but there is slight noise.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack’s dialogue is uneven but sometimes sounds natural and spatially integrated. Ambiant sound effects are wanting in fidelity, but often the music soundstage is wide with subtle surround envelopment.
(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: