WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Cop And A Half
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 06 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Burt Reynolds, Ray Sharkey, Ruby Dee, Norman D. Golden II.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 3.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MCA/Universal Home Video
(Catalog Number): 41624
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 93
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1993
(LD Release Date): 10/93
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Henry Winkler
(Screenplay/Written By): Arne Olson
(Story): NA
(Music): Alan Silvestri
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Maria Caso
(Visual Effects): NA
(Costume Designer): Lillian Pan
(Editor): Daniel Hanley & Roger Tweten
(Supervising Sound Editors): Paul Clay
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Tova Laiter
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Paul Maslansky

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo SR
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Devon Butler (Golden) is a precocious eight year old obsessed with anything to do with police work. So when he witnesses a murder, he is willing to tell everything he knows... for a price. Devon’s request is to become a cop—complete with badge, handcuffs and those cool mirrored shades. Cranky detective Nick McKenna (Reynolds) becomes a reluctant partner to the pint-sized Cop And A Half as they endeavor to rid the city of the criminal element and keep Devon from harm. Kids will really enjoy the smart-mouthed “Boy in Blue.”

LaserDisc Picture:
The 1.85:1 transfer is marred by a reddish cast to fleshtones. The picture does not have the sharpness or clarity of the best discs and color balance is a bit uneven.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is compressed overall with a subtle Dolby Surround® ambience present in some scenes. The soundtrack would have benefited from a more aggressive enveloping surround to heighten the action sequences for greater sonic impact.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: