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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Mod Squad, The
    Genre:Action Adventure

    Reviewed In Issue 34 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Claire Danes, Omar Epps, Giovanni Ribisi, Dennis Farina, Josh Brolin, Steve Harris, Michael Lerner

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 3
    Sound Rating: 4
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): ML106835
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $24.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 94
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1999
    (LD Release Date): 08/99
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Scott Silver
    (Screenplay/Written By): Stephen Kay, Scott Silver & Kate Lanier
    (Story): NA
    (Music): BC Smith
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Patrick Sherman
    (Visual Effects): NA
    (Costume Designer): Arianne Phillips
    (Editor): Dorian Harris
    (Supervising Sound Editors): Andrew DeChristofaro, MPSE
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Aaron Spelling & David Ladd
    (Co-Producers): Michael Bennett & Richard Stenta
    (Producers): Ben Myron, Alan Riche & Tony Ludwig

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.80:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): DTS Digital Sound
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital): No
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Three incorrigible teens are given a choice: go to jail, or become the LAPD’s secret weapon: The Mod Squad. Reviving Aaron Spelling’s oh-so-hip 1968 to 1973 television drama are Claire Danes as Julie, Giovanni Ribisi as Pete and Omar Epps as the ultra-cool Linc. Assigned to help clean up the Los Angeles underground club scene, the Squad uncovers a crime ring involved in prostitution and drug trafficking, and Captain Greer’s (Farina) teenage task force will soon learn that some of their co-workers are not exactly on the right side of the law. View this film in a completely blackened room due to its often darkly lit imagery. The anamorphically enhanced DVD viewed in component video delivers sharp and detailed imagery, with excellent vertical and horizontal resolution. Though the picture is dark throughout most of the film, contrast is nicely rendered and there is a natural gradation between darkness and total picture black. Colors are often stylized, sometimes filtered for a harsh appearance. There are some minor inconsistencies, and exterior scenes are not very natural, but the transfer is generally clean throughout.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    View this film in a completely blackened room due to its often darkly lit imagery. The LaserDisc is slightly smeared in sharpness, and colors exhibit slight green overtones and greenish blacks; though black levels are deep and solid. Though the picture is dark throughout most of the film, contrast is nicely rendered and there is a natural gradation between darkness and total picture black. Colors are often stylized, sometimes filtered for a harsh appearance. The aspect ratio measures 1.80:1.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Digital 5.1 discrete soundtrack is far superior to the matrix PCM soundtrack. The matrix version sounds too compressed and sort of giant monaural in character compared to the far more open and spatially dynamic discrete version. Aggressive split surround and phantom center back imaging are notable for a spatially enveloping soundfield experience. Bass extension is deep and powerful with punctuated .1 LFE enhancement. The soundstage is spatially dimensional with the music wrapping well into the surrounds. Dialogue is generally closely miked with ADR-processing.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz): Yes
    (Aggressive System Surround): Yes
    (Intense 25Hz Bass): Yes
    (Deep Bass Challenging): No
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield): Yes
    (Aggressive Split Surround): Yes
    (Center Back Surround Imaging): Yes
    (Directionalized Dialogue): No
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    		 No
    Collector Edition:
    		 No