WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Bound
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 24 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano, John Ryan, Christopher Meloni & Richard C. Sarafian

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 3.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals
The package includes informative running commentary by directors Andy and Larry Wachowski, actor Joe Pantoliano, editor Zach Staenerg on the making of the production, and advisor Susie Bright, who explains a lot of the film’s lesbian symbolism

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Republic Pictures
(Catalog Number): 26298
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 109
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1996
(LD Release Date): 4/9/97
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): The Wachowski Brothers
(Screenplay/Written By): The Wachowski Brothers
(Story): NA
(Music): Don Davis
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Eve Cauley
(Visual Effects): FTS EFX, Inc.
(Costume Designer): Lizzy Gardner
(Editor): Zach Staenberg
(Supervising Sound Editors): NA
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Larry Wachowski & Andy Wachowski
(Co-Producers): Jeffrey Sudzin
(Producers): Andrew Lazar & Stuart Boros

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Violet (Tilly), the sexy mistress of Ceasar (Pantoliano), a money launderer for the Mob, lives in an exclusive apartment complex in Chicago. Everything seems to be going well until she meets Corky (Gershon), a convicted thief out on parole from serving a five year sentence. When Violet and Corky bond in a strong and intimate relationship, Violet sees Corky’s past theft experience as a ticket to a new life. If Corky is willing to steal two million dollars that Ceasar must deliver to the Mob, together they can escape the Mafia.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, matted at 1.85:1, exhibits fidelity that is quite oversaturated in colors and fleshtones. Shadow detail is wanting in definition as all but a few interior scenes are overly dark and difficult to see. However, exterior scenes are very natural looking with rich and warm colors. Images are sharp and detailed. There is apparent noise, grain and artifacts throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The discrete Dolby® Digital soundtrack often has no signal in the surrounds, collapsing the image to the frontal soundstage. Only occasionally are sounds directed to the independent surrounds. The matrix linear PCM version has a constant surround presence, even appropriate room tone, that nicely envelops for a more satisfying experience. Other troubling aspects are that the level is consistently louder in the right front channel causing the sound to be unbalanced overall and the end credit music is missing the instruments and vocal. This is obviously a mix or Dolby Digital encoding error during those segments. Bass effects are deep and powerful, but there is no .1 usage. Dialogue is ADR-produced.
(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: