WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Get Shorty
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 20 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 4.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals
This edition features an extended scene that was featured prominently in the included theatrical trailer, but was deleted from the final cut of the film. Director Barry Sonnenfeld engages in a running commentary on the analog track in which he discusses how the film was edited, the run-down on each scene, and the production history.

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): ML105493
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 105
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1995
(LD Release Date): 10/98
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

Credits Information
(Director): Barry Sonnenfeld
(Screenplay/Written By): Scott Frank
(Story): Scott Frank
(Music): John Lurie
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Peter Larkin
(Visual Effects): Sessums Engineering
(Costume Designer): Betsy Heimann
(Editor): Jim Miller
(Supervising Sound Editors): Philip Stockton & Skip Lievsay
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Barry Sonnenfeld
(Co-Producers): Graham Place
(Producers): Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg & Stacey Sher

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Get Shorty is based on the novel by Elmore Leonard and stars Travolta as Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who is sent to Los Angeles to collect on a gambling debt from down-and-out filmmaker Harry Zimm (Hackman). Chili is an avid movie fan—even of the B-movie screamers, starring sexy Karen Flores (Russo), that Harry churns out. Instead of breaking Harry’s legs, Chili pitches him an idea that could be a big break for Harry’s career and suddenly he is swept into the Hollywood scene and schmoozes a major actor (DeVito) who agrees to star in his movie.

LaserDisc Picture:
The THX®-quality assured picture is presented at 1.85:1. Picture quality is exemplary with images sharp and detailed, vivid colors, natural fleshtones, deep solid blacks and excellent contrast. There is no noise or artifacts for an extremely solid presentation.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack’s Dolby ProLogic® matrix version has better presence in the surrounds on some scenes, but the 5.1 version is a better, more refined mix in terms of spatial definition and stereo imaging. Dialogue is natural in both versions. While opportunities were missed to create a more aggressive surround presence, the overall experience is enjoyable, particularly the music track.
(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): No
(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:
Collector Edition:
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: