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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Q: The Winged Serpent
    Genre:Horror

    Reviewed In Issue 31 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Michael Moriarty, Candy Clark, David Carradine, Richard Roundtree

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

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Elite Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): EE9464
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 92
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Theatrical Release): 1982
    (LD Release Date): 9/98
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Larry Cohen
    (Screenplay/Written By): Larry Cohen
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Robert O. Ragland
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): NA
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Armand Lebowitz
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Dan Sandburg & Richard De Bona
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Larry Cohen

    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:
    Q: The Winged Serpent is a different sort of monster movie in that it offers first-rate gore that is coupled with an actual story line as well as actors who can do just that. Plus, you get a little humor thrown in on the side (and a few strategically placed steamy “love” scenes). Q stands for Quetzalcoatl, a dragon-like Aztec god that is summoned to modern day Manhattan by a rash of human sacrifices. Quetzalcoatl terrifies the city by swooping down on unsuspecting victims and literally ripping them to shreds all the while laying hundreds of eggs that will eventually hatch into baby Qs ready to take on the Big Apple just like their mamma. The only one who can help save the city is a sleazy small-time crook (Michael Moriarity) who wants fame and fortune, and will only reveal the key to destroying the ancient monster when he’s paid the big bucks. Watch this after your kids go to bed!

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The LaserDisc, matted at 1.85:1, is dated with unnatural color fidelity that is wanting in clarity and depth. Fleshtones appear reddish and colors completely lack definition. Images are wanting in sharpness and detail. Contrast is poor, as is shadow delineation. Interior colors are completely plugged up. There is little distracting noise, but minor artifacts are apparent. The picture is unnatural and poorly rendered in color fidelity and clarity.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack is undistinguished monaural and sounds compressed and distorted.
    (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:
    		 No
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    		 No
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    		 No
    Superb Cinematography:
    		 -
    Reference LaserDisc:
    		 No
    Collector Edition:
    		 No
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
    The LaserDisc and DVD are both matted at 1.85:1. Both appear dated with unnatural color fidelity that is wanting in clarity and depth. Fleshtones appear reddish and colors completely lack definition. Images are wanting in sharpness and detail. Contrast is poor, as is shadow delineation. Interior colors are completely plugged up. Though both versions are quite solid, with little distracting noise, minor artifacts are apparent. Both versions are unnatural and poorly rendered in color fidelity and clarity. The LaserDisc and non-anamorphic DVD are very similar in visual quality. The DVD is incorrectly credited as Dolby® Digital stereo, when both DVD and LaserDisc soundtracks are undistinguished monaural which sound compressed and distorted.