WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Frighteners, The
Genre:Horror

Reviewed In Issue 23 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, John Astin, Jim Fyfe, Chi McBride.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 42969
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $24.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 110
(Color Type): Color With Black & White Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1996
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Peter Jackson
(Screenplay/Written By): Fran Walsh & Peter Jackson
(Story): NA
(Music): Danny Elfman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Grant Major
(Visual Effects): Weta Ltd.
(Costume Designer): Barbara Darragh
(Editor): Jamie Selkirk
(Supervising Sound Editors): Phil Benson & Mike Hopkins
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Robert Zemeckis
(Co-Producers): Tim Sanders
(Producers): Jamie Selkirk & Peter Jackson

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Panavision
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
The Frighteners is a comedic ghostly thriller that stars Michael J. Fox as Frank Bannister, a psychic swindler with the best partners he could ever want—dead ones (John Astin, Chi McBride & Jim Fyfe). When FBI agent Milton Dammers (Jeffrey Combs) starts suspecting Bannister of being responsible for the mysterious deaths occuring in town, Frank begins to search for the real killer. He soon finds himself battling the demonic Soul Collector (Jake Busey) and trying to save his love interest (Trini Alvarado) from harm.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture is framed at 2.35:1 and exhibits exemplary quality. Color fidelity is excellent with rich colors, natural fleshtones and deep blacks. Excellent contrast and shadow detail complement this sharp and detailed picture with no noise but slight artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is terrific with an extremely dynamic presence supported by powerful bass below 25Hz, putting serious demand on the loudspeakers. Sound effects are spread extremely wide with an exciting surround presence. The music score is expansive with super soundstage imaging and depth. Dialogue is nicely presented though 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: