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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Guardian, The

    Featured In Issue 119, April 2007

    Picture3
    SoundNR
    WSR Score4
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Touchstone Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    53590
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG13
    (Rating Reason):
    Forintense sequences of action/peril, brief strong language, and some sexuality
    (Retail Price):
    $34.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    139
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    1
    (Theatrical Year):
    2006
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    01/23/07
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Andrew Davis
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM 24/48 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    After losing his crew during a rescue mission in Alaska's unpredictable and frigid waters, Ben Randall (Costner) is reassigned to that of instructor at the United States Coast Guard training facility. There he meets high-school swimming hotshot, and legend-in-his-own-mind, Jake Fischer (Kutcher), who is determined to break all of Randall's long-standing records. It is during this 18-week program that instructor and student develop a relationship of sorts, and ultimately help each other in fighting the personal demons that keep them buoyed to the past. The Guardian is dedicated to those in the United States Coast Guard. (Jack Kelley)

    Special features include the option of watching the film in the Enhanced Mode, which gives the viewer access to more advanced features not available in standard mode, including a filmmaker Q&A; and the same features as found on the DVD reviewed in Issue 117: commentary with Director Andrew Davis and Writer Ron L. Brinkerhoff; an alternate ending, which, after watching, makes you glad they kept the original; four deleted scenes with optional director and writer commentary; an 11-minute behind-the-scenes featurette; and an almost six-minute look at the United States Coast Guard. There are also up-front ads.

    The 1.85:1 Blu-ray Disc exhibits deep black levels, but details are not as well resolved as what I expect from a new, high-definition release. Colors are subdued, and fleshtones generally look sickly. (Danny Richelieu)

    The uncompressed linear PCM 5.1-channel encoding is impressive, with natural fluidity and fidelity, and impressive dynamic range. The mix is energetic, with a deep, broad front stage, and good phantom imaging everywhere around the room. This is a noticeable improvement over the Dolby® Digital encoding that is also included on the disc. (Danny Richelieu)

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