WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Best Men
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 32 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Dean Cain, Andy Dick, Sean Patrick Flanery, Mitchell Whitfield, Luke Wilson, Drew Barrymore

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Orion Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID4332OR
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 89
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1997
(LD Release Date): 3/99
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Tamra Davis
(Screenplay/Written By): Art Edler Brown & Tracy Fraim
(Story):
(Music): Mark Mothersbaugh
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Toby Corbett
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Paul Trejo, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Jeffrey D. Ivers & Christopher Buchanan
(Co-Producers): Sheryl Schwartz
(Producers): Brad Krevoy, Steve Stabler, Brad Jenkel & Deborah Ridpath

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Super 35
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.40:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.30:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Just released parolee Jesse (Luke Wilson) is met at the prison gates by his Best Men (Dean Cain, Mitchell Whitfield, Andy Dick and Sean Patrick Flanery) to be whisked off to his wedding to long-time girlfriend Hope (Drew Barrymore). Unfortunately, they are detained when one of the wedding party decides to rob a bank en route to the ceremony. What results is hostage negotiations, media attention, the FBI and one very angry bride!

LaserDisc Picture:
The 2.30:1 picture is nicely rendered, with images that are sharp and detailed throughout, with often nicely rendered background information. Color fidelity is inconsistent, with mostly accurate fleshtones, rich and warm colors and deep, solid blacks. However, the picture is often plugged-up and wanting in better clarity. Contrast and shadow delineation are mediocre. Noise is apparent throughout, but there are no distracting artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Surround soundtrack is nicely produced with an aggressive surround presence that is often effectively spatial. Bass is deep, with at times, an engaging impact. The electronic music score sounds, well, "electronic" with a thin quality. Dialogue sounds "manufactured” throughout.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): Yes
(Aggressive System Surround): Yes
(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:
No
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
No
Superb Color Fidelity:
No
Superb Cinematography:
-
Reference LaserDisc:
No
Collector Edition:
No
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: