I remember waiting with anticipation to see this film
at the cinemas a few years ago and being quite happy with it when I first saw it. Maybe
I’ve matured more in the past few years and now find this to be very much of an
anticlimax. After a big build up during the film the ending seems to really drop you on
your arse.
Annette Bening is as usual superb and I really can’t say I’ve ever seen her
do a bad job of anything.
Claire Cooper (Bening) lives a happy life with her husband (Aidan Quinn) and her
daughter (Katie Sagona). Claire seems to have a gift though. She has unusual nightmares in
which she sees the events of the tragic disappearance of a young child. The nightmares
become more and more prolific until the kidnapping of Claire’s own daughter Rebecca.
Through her dreams Claire knows that Rebecca has been killed and even knows where she can
be found.
After this, doctors and psychologists become more and more suspicious and the pressure
quickly drives Annette in a frenzy and she is eventually committed.
Little does everyone know that the thoughts are being sent to Claire’s mind by the
perpetrator and she has no control over it.
Without giving away the best bits to the story that’s really about it. The ending
is very much a let down though and could have been thought out a little better.
So how does this transfer hold up?
...  |
VIDEO
The 1.7 8:1 Anamorphic Widescreen transfer is excellent on almost every
level. The entire transfer is crisp and sharp without displaying any edge enhancement
artefacts.
The only real problem is in shadow detail, which would have been lost in the high
contrast effect given to the film. There is a distinct muted toning to the film (which is
intended) but this gives rise to a high contrast transfer which in turn loses shadow
detail. The toning is an intentional cinematography feature but I still believe this could
have been improved in this transfer.
The colour palette is for the most part bland due this tonight feature but it does
spark up at times and will give a splash of colour that will really open your eyes.
Grain is apparent at times but I also feel that this is an inherent property of the
source material. There are no film artefacts, shimmering, ailiasing or mpeg artefacts.
Basically this is a very clean transfer.
 ... |
AUDIO
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is good and really
doesn’t have any distinct faults but at the same time it doesn’t really have a
lot of oomph in it either. The audio track is mainly dialogue driven and for the most part
and clear and easy to understand, although there are times when it begins to slip into
no-mans land and becomes a mere mumble.
The soundtrack from Elliott Goldenthal is a different
matter and is oozing with suspense and excitement, and is fully supported by the
surrounds.
In fact the surround channels are mainly active supporting the soundtrack, and a few
sound effects.
EXTRAS
.. . |
- Theatrical Trailer
Overall
I really did enjoy this film but it does seem to be a bit of a let down at the end. I
still think you should all see it.
| PICTURE
QUALITY |
8/10 some
great visual effects |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
7/10 a little flat
7.5/10 supportive |
| EXTRAS |
1/10 not a lot happening |
| OVERALL |
9/10 a favourite in my
collection |
Review Equipment
TV: GE 68cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: Pioneer 737
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V595a
Speakers:-
Fronts: Wharfedale Diamond R6 (on a pair of custom made stands you'd KILL for)
Centre: Venturi
Rears: Sony bookshelf
Sub: M&K v75
- Reviewed 26th April 2001
* jpeg files for internet promotion use
only. Copyright© exists on all aspects of these files by Universal Pictures Home Video
...