| Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals have been loved
the world around. Touted as the longest playing Broadway musical ever, CATS, is my
personal favourite of the ALW musicals (well of the few I do actually like that is :-) Though I'm quite allergic to the hairy felines on a daily basis, for
many years I had only ever heard the music of Cats, not having ever seen the stage musical
in full swing. So was quite anxious to get a looksee at this multimillion dollar
filmed event oin DVD no less :)
The original Grizabella, Elaine Page, makes a welcome
return to her starring role for the filmed version and has proven once more she still has
the chops (or should that be furball) to pump out Memory, undoubtedly the most memorable
song of the twenty or so. Only a few of the original members have returned (some
very familiar voices there I tell ya) so it took some getting use to hearing someone else
sing some of the great tunes, along with a few new spins to the actual tunes of these Cats
Classics.
So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
VIDEO
Though Cats was filmed with an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, this Non-Anamorphic DVD version is
framed at exactly 1.78:1. Being so it's a damn shame it didn't get the big squeeze.
The previous release of Cats on PAL DVD was about 1.66:1..not sure why for this
re-release it was reframed...anyhoo
Being shot on a stage, lighting has posed a few problems with the transfer, nothing too
serious, but it shows up an increased level in grain, and some very minor artifacting from
less than perfect shadowing. Sharpness is quite high, though on occasions looked a
fraction soft, again lighting is the cause of this.
Colour Saturation is quite good, fleshtones look as good as they are going to for what is
almost a live filmed event, with some inconsistencies seen throughout.
AUDIO
For this DVD, we are treated to a Dolby Digital 5.0 remix, as well as a standard 2.0 mix.
The 5.0 mix is well, odd to say the least. it's a bit daunting at times as
there is some very aggressive usage of the surrounds, that tend to be out of place with on
screen action at times, but as this is Not a movie per se' it I just put it down to a
difference approach to mixing sound. There is a nice ambience to the 5.0 mix, choirs
fill the surrounds constantly which does work quite nicely with the on-screen singing.
As for the front Soundstage, ALL centre channel vocals are reproduced at a slightly
lower volume in the front left and right. This has helped to thicken up the vocals
giving them a much stronger presence. As a 70 piece orchestra was employed for the
music, the result is a very nice balance across the front.
EXTRAS
Being a musical DVD you can't really expect too much in the line of extras, though you do
get interviews from Elaine Page and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Cats is a great musical, and has scrubbed up quite nicely
for this DVD release. RRP is $34.95
| PICTURE QUALITY |
6/10 A bit grainy and
scanny looking |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
- 7/10 not too bad given it's a live recording of sorts
- 6/10 Interesting use of surrounds and there's no LFE channel in this mix |
| FEATURES |
3/10 just a couple of
interviews |
Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717 (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
Fronts: B&W 602
Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
Rears: Jamo Magic 14
Subby: M&K V125
- Reviewed 12th January 2000
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