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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas


    Criterion
    Genre: Dark Comedy

    Reviewed In Issue 71 (Apr 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Johnny Depp, Benecio Del Toro

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4
    DD Sound Rating: 3.5
    DTS Sound Rating: 3.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 2
    Internet Links
    http://www.criterionco.com
    Special Features
    Disc One of The Criterion Collection's two-disc special edition offers three separate audio commentary tracks: one by director Terry Gilliam; one with stars Johnny Depp and Benecio Del Toro and producer Laila Nabulsi; another with author Hunter S. Thompson. In addition, there is a collection of deleted scenes (with optional commentary). Disc Two begins with a menu that branches off into two sections: The Film and The Source. Starting with The Film, you will find a Storyboards selection with seven Terry Gilliam storyboards and an Alex McDowall production design gallery, a Stills Gallery showcasing set photographer Peter Mountain


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): The Criterion Collection
    (Catalog Number): CC1582D
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Rated R for pervasive extreme drug use and related bizarre behavior, strong language, and brief nudity.
    (Retail Price): $39.95
    (DVD Type): Two DVD-9 Discs
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 118
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 1998
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 02/18/03
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Terry Gilliam
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      DVD Picture Information

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      DVD Sound Information

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    (WSR Superb Sound Qualities): Subscribe Now!

      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Sent to cover the Mint 400 Motorcycle race, Raoul Duke (aka Hunter S. Thompson) and his Samoan lawyer, Dr. Gonzo take to the highway with a carload of drugs and bad attitudes in search of the American Dream. "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas," based on the unforgettable book by Hunter S. Thompson, is a surrealistic trip that chronicles a strange outing in the life of the father of Gonzo journalism.

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced Criterion Collection DVD, framed at 2.35:1, offers very similar image quality when compared to the previously released DVD, with the exception of slightly less noticeable pixelization upon direct A-B comparison. Otherwise, the two versions are almost identical with sharp and detailed images, limited smearing, and excellent contrast and shadow delineation. The picture is colorful and stylized, with full saturation and vibrant hues. While some scenes appear oversaturated, others are eye-popping and appealing. Fleshtones are naturally rendered, though occasionally reflective of dominant background colors. Edge enhancement can be a problem at times, but the cleaner overall image is preferred to the previously released DVD. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    The DVD features for the first time the 5.1 sound mix as was created for the theatrical release (the previously released Universal DVD had 2.0 audio). The audio has a noticeably dated sonic character, and there is also some tendency for the dialogue and effects to sound a little forward and strident. Still, the music abundantly enlivens the listening space, as do certain effects, albeit with limited spatial coherence. Some deep bass can be noticed, but in general the low-end content for this soundtrack seems a bit reserved. Voices are also somewhat limited in their natural tonality and spatial integration. There is in general an

    This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
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