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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Ladder 49
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 94 (Mar 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Morris Chestnut, Robert Patrick, Balthazar Getty, Jay Hernandez, Jacinda Barrett & Billy Burke

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4
    DD Sound Rating: 4.5
    DTS Sound Rating: NR
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 2.5
    Internet Links
    www.ladder49 com
    Special Features
    Special features include a 21-minute featurette on The Making Of Ladder 49, a 14-minute highlight on Everyday Heroes, five deleted scenes, audio commentary by director Jay Russell and editor Bud Smith, and Robbie Robertson


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Touchstone Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 35938
    (MPAA Rating): PG13
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Intense Fire And Rescue Situations, And for Language.
    (Retail Price): $29.95
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 115
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2004
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 03/08/05
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

     Credits Information

    (Director): Jay Russell
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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      DVD Picture Information

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      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Facing death in the eye, firefighter Jack Morrison (Phoenix) lies in a pit of rubble as blazing walls and debris cave in around him. A member of the Ladder 49 fire crew and working under the watchful eye of Chief Kennedy (Travolta), his men try to save him before the the building comes down. During this time, Morrison looks back on his life and how he came to choose his dangerous and heroic career. (Suzanne Hodges)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture exhibits pleasing imagery throughout. Colors are naturally balanced, with accurate fleshtones, rich hues, and deep blacks. The shaky camerawork on the scenes of fire-engulfed homes give the viewers a you-are-there feeling. The flames look bright and hot, popping from the screen. There is some pixel breakup and even minor shimmering noticed at times, but nothing that is terribly distracting. Edge enhancement is not much of a problem with this DVD. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    Even with a strong barrage of audio information using each of the available channels, the sonics sound veiled in this Dolby

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