WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Caveman
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, John Matuszak, Avery Schrieber & Jack Giford

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

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM
(Catalog Number): ML102045
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $29.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 91
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1981
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Carl Gottlieb
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
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(Costume Designer):
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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): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Caveman is a “loopy and visually entertaining spoof” that features Ringo Starr as Atouk, the lustful caveman whose misplaced affections for his tribal chief’s mate, Lana (Barbara Bach), forces him out into the hostile unknown. There, he forms his own tribe out of misfits from other caves. Together, along with Lar (Dennis Quaid), Tala (Shelley Long) and others, Atouk discovers fire, music, grilled chicked and fried eggs while fending off a multitude of (cheesy, but humorous) dinosaurs (created by Jim Danforth and David Allen). Soon, Atouk’s passion for Lana leads to a tribal war in which he is pit against his old chief Tonda (John Matuszak) and must make a difficult choice when it comes to love.

LaserDisc Picture:
The mostly exterior picture, matted at 1.85:1, is often washed out with dull, undersaturated colors and fleshtones with weak blacks. Images are often wanting in sharpness and detail, sometimes appearing slightly blurry. Contrast and shadow detail is mediocre. Occasionally, the picture appears natural in colors and sharpness. Distracting noise and artifacts are apparent throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished, thin and compressed monaural.
(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: