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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Martian Child
    Genre: Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 129 (Mar 2008) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Sophie Okonedo, Bobby Coleman, Richard Schiff, Howard Hessman & Joan Cusack

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4
    DD Sound Rating: 4
    DTS Sound Rating: NR
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 3
    Internet Links
    www.martianchild.com
    Special Features
    Special features include commentary by the producers and writers, 14 deleted/alternate scenes, two featurettes: Handle With Care: Working With The Martian Child (24 minutes) and The Real Martian Child (13 minutes), the original theatrical trailer, and additional previews.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 1000031708
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Rating Reason):

    		 Thematic elements and mild language
    (Retail Price): $28.98
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 106
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2007
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 02/12/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Menno Meyjes
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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      DVD Picture Information

    (Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
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    (Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Recently widowed, lonely but successful science fiction writer, David (Cusack), decides to adopt a child to fill the void left in his life after his wife's death. The boy he wishes to adopt, Dennis (Coleman), has emotional issues and truly believes he is from Mars. Undeterred by the boy's special needs, David finds a way to reach out to the Martian Child and bring him back to Earth. Based on the short story by David Gerrold. (Stacey Pendry)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD shows solid black levels with nicely rendered shadow delineation. The image can show a good sense of dimensionality. Details are captured fairly well, with good resolution and sharpness. The imagery is not quite as finely detailed as on the best releases, but it is still good. Fleshtones look somewhat natural, although they can have a pinkish hue, and colors are generally nicely balanced. Compression artifacts are not overly obtrusive, and edge enhancement is rarely a problem. (Danny Richelieu)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

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