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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Hidalgo
Widescreen
Genre: Action Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 87 (Aug 2004) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Louise Lombard, Said Taghmaoui, Peter Menash, J.K. Simmons & Zuleikha Robinson

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: 4.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3.5
Internet Links
www.hidalgo.movies.com

Special Features
Includes a nine-minute Sand & Celluloid on-location featurette, a semi-hidden brief tale of Hidalgo peppered with Viggo Mortensen stills as told by Northern Pikuni Native American Leo Pard, and DVD-ROM enhancements.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Touchstone Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 32424
(MPAA Rating): PG13
(Rating Reason):

Adventure Violence And Some Mild Innuendos
(Retail Price): $29.99
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 136
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2003
(Theatrical Release):
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(DVD Release Date): 08/03/04
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

 Credits Information

(Director): Joe Johnston
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
After riding as an officer in the U.S. Cavalry and performing in a Wild West show, Frank T. Hopkins (Mortensen) takes up endurance riding with his trusty painted mustang Hidalgo. Hopkins and Hidalgo earn a reputation for being the fastest in the West, they are invited by the wealthy Bedouin Sheikh Riyadh (Sharif) to race in the prestigious

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.40:1 picture exhibits sweeping cinematography by Shelly Johnson with plenty of silhouette shots against warm sunsets and rolling sand dunes help create the grandeur of the storytelling. Colors are rich, with lots of warm hues in the Western and Eastern deserts. Chapter 15 is a creative example of stylized choice to completely desaturate the color palette and create an undulating mirage effect for the dire circumstance of the pivotal scene. Images are sharp and nicely detailed, often with a satisfying textures and clarity. Taking place in the late-1800s, the picture can be very dark, but viewing in a completely blackened room is optimal to appreciate the shadow delineation. Minor edge enhancement is noticed throughout, only appearing bothersome in the higher contrasted scenes. Some pixelization is noticed, occasionally causing minor breakup of finer details. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
Both DTS