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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Ghost Ship
Widescreen
Genre: Horror

Reviewed In Issue 72 (May 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Julianna Margulies, Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington, Isaiah Washington, Alex Dimitriades, Karl Urban, Emily Browning & Gabriel Byrne

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
DD Sound Rating: 4.5
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 1.5
Internet Links
http://www.ghostshipmovie.com
http://www.warnervideo.com
Special Features
The disc (which comes with a holographic cover) includes four featurettes, including "Max On Set: Ghost Ship," A Closer Look At The Gore," "Designing The Ghost Ship," and a visual effects segment. Also includes the interactive "Secrets Of The Antonia Graza" segment, a cast and crew profile, and a Mudvayne music video ("Not Falling"). DVD-ROM enhanced features are included as well.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number): 23410
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Strong violence/gore, language and sexuality
(Retail Price): $27.95
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 91
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2002
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 03/28/03
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Steve Beck
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Special Notes:
Sold separately in a 1.33:1 (4:3) full screen edition.

Story Synopsis:
When Captain Sean Murphy (Byrne), salvage expert Maureen Epps (Margulies), and the rest of the crew come across an old abandoned ship off the coast of Alaska, they think they've discovered the find of a lifetime. The luxury liner "Antonio Graza" had been lost at sea for over 40 years after disappearing without a trace, and it appears that the group has stumbled upon its remains. Excited about their find, the crew quickly boards the ship, but it soon appears that all is not right on board as strange things start happening and bodies start appearing. It seems they have boarded a "Ghost Ship," and there's a sinister force at work. Soon Sean and his crew find themselves in the middle of something evil, and their struggle for survival is all they can hope to salvage. (Tricia Littrell)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD exhibits a picture that is sharp and nicely detailed, with well-balanced contrast and shadow delineation to heighten the suspense in the darker scenes. Details are nicely rendered, like clothing textures and facial features, as well as rusted metal and corroded pipes aboard the ghost ship. Colors are nicely balanced with accurate fleshtones and deep, solid blacks. There is some minor edge enhancement noticed, and some minimal pixelization. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack has been very well-produced and recorded, with an impressive sense of dimensionality throughout. Also to be expected is quite an abundance in the low-end with powerful deep bass engagement and substantial use of the LFE channel, as well as extension below 25 Hz in all of the main channels. Beyond this, the soundtrack is distinguished simply for the use of the spatial soundstage. The sense of atmosphere is compelling throughout, and often there is the presence of rather eerie, suspenseful sound effects, which permeate the listening space for effective visceral impact. In fact, it is the crafting of special, ghost-associated effects and their dimensional placements that makes them so distinguished, along with instances of rather wide dynamic range. The music has been well-recorded and essentially shares the distinguished surround sound virtues of the effects. The dialogue is also a standout, with neutral-sounding voices in terms of natural tonality and spatial integration. This is one of the soundtracks for which the engagement of dimension really plays an integral role in the storytelling. (Perry Sun)

This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
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