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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Trading Places
    Genre: Comedy

    Reviewed In Issue 67 (Dec 2002) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, Kristin Holby, Paul Gleason & Jamie Lee Curtis

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 3
    DD Sound Rating: 3.5
    DTS Sound Rating: NA
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 4.5
    Internet Links
    http://www.paramount.com/homevideo
    Special Features
    There are no supplements. (Paramount continues to note in the Special Features box on the back jacket "special features not rated" even when there aren't any special features!)


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 01551
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Rating Reason):
    (Retail Price): $24.99
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 116
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 1983
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 09/24/02
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): John Landis
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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      DVD Picture Information

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      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    "Trading Places" features two "Saturday Night Live" alumni, Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Murphy is the streetwise hustler Billy Ray Valentine and Aykroyd is Louis Winthorp II, a wealthy investment executive at Duke Brothers, a Wall Street firm. The stingy rich and wealthy Duke Brothers (Amache and Bellamy) wager a bet over whether born loser Valentine could become as successful as the priggish Winthorpe if circumstances were reversed. But when Valentine and Winthorpe catch on, they arrange for quite a payback surprise. This movie is a lot of fun, with great comic performances by Murphy and Aykroyd. (Gary Reber)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD exhibits images that are generally sharp and detailed, though contrast seems a bit low. Sometimes the picture has a soft, blurry appearance. Colors are rich and nicely balanced, with accurate fleshtones and deep blacks. Against the snow-filled backgrounds, edge enhancement is really noticeable. Pixelization can give the picture a

    Soundtrack:
    The characteristics of this Dolby Digital 5.1-channel remastered soundtrack are most readily apparent with the music, which nicely permeates the soundstage. Fidelity is noticeably dated, especially with the dialogue and music, but should not be objectionable. Other than the music, there's a nice sense of subtle spatiality, generated by atmospheric effects. Voices sound comfortable and reasonably intelligible. Another welcome aspect of this new soundtrack is a noticeable low-end foundation to the music. This is a nice repurposing effort, offering a satisfying sense of dimension. (Perry Sun)

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    I have read Widescreen Review for years because it has been the only magazine available to me that describes the benefits and options available to anyone interested in widescreen movie viewing. I have learned a lot about movies and their display options (including sound) from reading this magazine.

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