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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
    Genre:Science Fiction

    Reviewed In Issue 11 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Francois Truffaut.

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 2
    Sound Rating: 2.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 76866
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Retail Price): $$39.95
    (Running Time In Minutes): 132
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1980
    (LD Release Date): 10/1/94
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Steven Spielberg
    (Screenplay/Written By): Steven Spielberg
    (Story): NA
    (Music): John Williams
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Joe Alves
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Michael Kahn, ACE
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): NA
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Julia Phillips & Michael Phillips

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Panavision
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.28:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Spielberg’s classic sci-fi fantasy about humankind’s first meeting with extraterrestrials. Impressive special effects by Douglas Trumbull. Academy Award winner for Best Cinematography.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    Recomposed at a 2.28:1 aspect ratio, the picture is inflicted with extreme grain and noise artifacts. Inaccurate fleshtones are rendered with a reddish hue and other colors are exaggerated as well.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The sonics are marred by an out-of phase transfer. Fidelity is harsh as well, but there is effective bass extension to 25 Hz associated with the space ship scenes.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: