For your PC needsWatcher
26-06-2002, 01:53 AM
<I><B> Universal </I></b>
<center><b>
<h2>SPY GAME </h2>
Available: July 3, 2002
RENTAL ONLY
Universal
Rating: M15+
<UL>DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:</b></center>
<LI>Upcoming Release (Back To The Future movies)
<LI>Subtitles: English
<LI>Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS 5.1
<LI> Aspect: 2.35:1 Widescreen 16:9 enhanced
<LI>Running Time: 121.19 mins.</UL>
<center><b>CAST:</b></center>
Brad Pitt, Robert Redford and Catherine McCormack
<b>DIRECTED BY:</b> Tony Scott
<center><B>SYNOPSIS:</b></center>
There was a time when CIA operative Nathan Muir (Redford) and his protégé Tom Bishop (Pitt) were inseparable, travelling the world's most dangerous cities, in a profession fraught with risk and uncertainty. Now, on the brink of his retirement from the agency, Muir learns that Bishop has gone rogue. His one time protégé has been jailed in Beijing on espionage charges after attempting to break a female prisoner out of China, the woman who came between them years before. But as time begins to run out for Bishop, Muir decides to take on his most dangerous and personal mission ever.
<center><b>AUDIO/VISUAL:</b></center>
Audio:
There are two audio options available for the main feature. Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
I reviewed Spy Game via the DTS 5.1 option.
It's a strong audio track with plenty of oomph and a clarity that's second to none.
Dialogue is crystal clear and easy to understand, with no issues regarding sync.
The front sound stage carries the movie well, with good use of directional sound and panning audio that help to make this a solid and broad sound field.
There is excellent use of the rear speakers to support the front of the room as well as coming into their own in sequences such as the Vietnam era that has helicopters chopping through the air beside and behind you quite a few times.
The sub also has plenty of chances to be used in this movie and pack some punch, and that it does.
The score is incorporated well into the movie to set the mood in many places and fits right in.
I took a bit of time to compare the Dolby Digital 5.1 track to the DTS audio and viewers who have a system that's limited to playing just the Dolby Digital 5.1 option will not be disappointed.
It's a damn fine effort that has an excellent clarity to it and is spread nicely throughout all of the speakers to place you right in the middle of things.
Viewers will be pleased with either of the options they choose, but DTS is the best choice overall.
Video:
Spy Game has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen and is 16:9 enhanced.
Universal has provided viewers with a particularly sharp and clear picture that has a lot of detail on offer. There isn't much in the way of imperfections and the only thing worth mentioning would be some fine grain and shimmering that were only barely noticeable at times.
Colours are displayed very well throughout the movie and every shade that was used never gave a hint of trouble. Flesh tones were natural, realistic and only looked deliberately pale in situations such as the Vietnam sequence of the movie. Black levels are excellent and shadow detail is spot on.
There are some instances such as the sequence in Vietnam where the picture has a sepia look to it and the colours are very subdued and the lighting is overly bright to give this era of the movie a stark and edgy appearance. It's very well done and is used to great effect.
There is a layer change present and it occurs at the 78.51 mark of the movie. It's the smallest of pauses and is only just noticeable after a scene changes.
<center><B>EXTRA FEATURES:</b></center>
Upcoming Release -
This is a 1.34 minute compilation trailer for the much anticipated BACK TO THE FUTURE Trilogy which are coming to DVD later this year.
<center><B>OVERALL:</b></center>
People who aren't too keen on this genre of movie may find this a bit tedious, but for those who do like this style of movie, Spy Game is a thoroughly enjoyable one that is very engrossing as the story plays out before you. The cast put in solid performances with Robert Redford standing out in his role as CIA operative Nathan Muir.
The DVD version of Spy Game gives viewers a quality video transfer that has just a few very minor flaws and an excellent audio experience to enjoy while taking in this fine movie.
Extra features are lacking on this rental disc though.
This is definitely worth checking out if this style of movie or its stars appeal to you in any way.
Spy Game will be available to rent from July 3, 2002.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" BORDER="1">
<tr><td><B><center>Rating out of 5</b></center> </b> </td>
<tr><td><B>VIDEO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>4</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>AUDIO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>4.5</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>EXTRAS</b> </td><td><B>1</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>THE MOVIE</b> </td><td><B>4 </b></td></tr>
<tr><td><B>OVERALL</B> </td><td><B>4 </b></td></tr></table>
<center><b>
<h2>SPY GAME </h2>
Available: July 3, 2002
RENTAL ONLY
Universal
Rating: M15+
<UL>DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:</b></center>
<LI>Upcoming Release (Back To The Future movies)
<LI>Subtitles: English
<LI>Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS 5.1
<LI> Aspect: 2.35:1 Widescreen 16:9 enhanced
<LI>Running Time: 121.19 mins.</UL>
<center><b>CAST:</b></center>
Brad Pitt, Robert Redford and Catherine McCormack
<b>DIRECTED BY:</b> Tony Scott
<center><B>SYNOPSIS:</b></center>
There was a time when CIA operative Nathan Muir (Redford) and his protégé Tom Bishop (Pitt) were inseparable, travelling the world's most dangerous cities, in a profession fraught with risk and uncertainty. Now, on the brink of his retirement from the agency, Muir learns that Bishop has gone rogue. His one time protégé has been jailed in Beijing on espionage charges after attempting to break a female prisoner out of China, the woman who came between them years before. But as time begins to run out for Bishop, Muir decides to take on his most dangerous and personal mission ever.
<center><b>AUDIO/VISUAL:</b></center>
Audio:
There are two audio options available for the main feature. Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
I reviewed Spy Game via the DTS 5.1 option.
It's a strong audio track with plenty of oomph and a clarity that's second to none.
Dialogue is crystal clear and easy to understand, with no issues regarding sync.
The front sound stage carries the movie well, with good use of directional sound and panning audio that help to make this a solid and broad sound field.
There is excellent use of the rear speakers to support the front of the room as well as coming into their own in sequences such as the Vietnam era that has helicopters chopping through the air beside and behind you quite a few times.
The sub also has plenty of chances to be used in this movie and pack some punch, and that it does.
The score is incorporated well into the movie to set the mood in many places and fits right in.
I took a bit of time to compare the Dolby Digital 5.1 track to the DTS audio and viewers who have a system that's limited to playing just the Dolby Digital 5.1 option will not be disappointed.
It's a damn fine effort that has an excellent clarity to it and is spread nicely throughout all of the speakers to place you right in the middle of things.
Viewers will be pleased with either of the options they choose, but DTS is the best choice overall.
Video:
Spy Game has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen and is 16:9 enhanced.
Universal has provided viewers with a particularly sharp and clear picture that has a lot of detail on offer. There isn't much in the way of imperfections and the only thing worth mentioning would be some fine grain and shimmering that were only barely noticeable at times.
Colours are displayed very well throughout the movie and every shade that was used never gave a hint of trouble. Flesh tones were natural, realistic and only looked deliberately pale in situations such as the Vietnam sequence of the movie. Black levels are excellent and shadow detail is spot on.
There are some instances such as the sequence in Vietnam where the picture has a sepia look to it and the colours are very subdued and the lighting is overly bright to give this era of the movie a stark and edgy appearance. It's very well done and is used to great effect.
There is a layer change present and it occurs at the 78.51 mark of the movie. It's the smallest of pauses and is only just noticeable after a scene changes.
<center><B>EXTRA FEATURES:</b></center>
Upcoming Release -
This is a 1.34 minute compilation trailer for the much anticipated BACK TO THE FUTURE Trilogy which are coming to DVD later this year.
<center><B>OVERALL:</b></center>
People who aren't too keen on this genre of movie may find this a bit tedious, but for those who do like this style of movie, Spy Game is a thoroughly enjoyable one that is very engrossing as the story plays out before you. The cast put in solid performances with Robert Redford standing out in his role as CIA operative Nathan Muir.
The DVD version of Spy Game gives viewers a quality video transfer that has just a few very minor flaws and an excellent audio experience to enjoy while taking in this fine movie.
Extra features are lacking on this rental disc though.
This is definitely worth checking out if this style of movie or its stars appeal to you in any way.
Spy Game will be available to rent from July 3, 2002.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" ALIGN="center" BORDER="1">
<tr><td><B><center>Rating out of 5</b></center> </b> </td>
<tr><td><B>VIDEO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>4</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>AUDIO QUALITY</b> </td><td><B>4.5</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>EXTRAS</b> </td><td><B>1</b> </td></tr>
<tr><td><B>THE MOVIE</b> </td><td><B>4 </b></td></tr>
<tr><td><B>OVERALL</B> </td><td><B>4 </b></td></tr></table>