WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Adventures Of Pinocchio, The
Genre:Family

Reviewed In Issue 24 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Martin Landau, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Udo Kier, David Doyle

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4
Sound Rating: 4
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID3456LI
(MPAA Rating): G
(Retail Price): $29.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 94
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1996
(LD Release Date): 3/9/97
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Steve Barron
(Screenplay/Written By): Sherry Mills, Steve Baron, Tom Benedek & Barry Berman
(Story): NA
(Music): Rachel Portman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Allan Cameron
(Visual Effects): Flash Barrandor Special Effects Unit
(Costume Designer): Maurizio Millenotti
(Editor): Sean Barton
(Supervising Sound Editors): Martin Evans
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): Michael MacDonald & Tim Hampron
(Producers): Raju Patel & Jerry Sneller

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Panavision
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.32:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
“The Adventures Of Pinocchio” is a live-action/computer-animated remake of Walt Disney’s 1940 animated classic “Pinocchio,” retelling the story behind Carlo Collodi’s wonderful fairy tale. When a lonely Italian woodcarver named Gepetto (Landau) creates the perfect puppet out of love, Pinocchio (voice by Thomas) comes to life with the burning desire to be a human boy. Features impressive animated creations, including Pinocchio by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

LaserDisc Picture:
The Panavision® scope picture is framed at 2.32:1, exhibiting inconsistent color fidelity that is sometimes oversaturated, but with generally natural fleshtones and deep blacks. Most images are very sharp and detailed, but some computer animated scenes are extremely soft and seeming almost out of focus. And while slight noise and minor artifacts is apparent, shadow detail and contrast is excellent.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack’s nicely recorded orchestral score with original music and lyrics by Stevie Wonder, presents a spacious soundstage with subtle surround. The discrete Dolby® Digital version distinguishes itself with an even wider and deeper sonic presence, aided by more powerful bass. Occasionally surround envelopment is aggressive, but mostly the music defines the subtle surround presence. Some times there is no signal in the Dolby Digital version which is always mystifying. Dialogue sounds natural with excellent spatial integration throughout. This is a wonderful sounding soundtrack that is sure to please.
(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: