...(the movie) features the kinds of clichés, routine explosions, and not-so-intriguing conspiracies that make discerning viewers yawn.
There are two excellent film adaptations of Tom Clancy´s novels. Neither Harrison Ford nor director Philip Noyce had anything to do with them. If you like smart thrillers, go with "The Hunt for Red October" or "The Sum of All Fears".
Video:
Although it was released in 1994, "Clear and Present Danger" looks as if had been shot in 2002. The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen boasts vivid colors, natural fleshtones, great shadow detail, and controlled lighting conditions that give the video image a sharp look. Aside from a few specks that dot the source print, this transfer is just about perfect.
Audio:
While loud and thunderously bass-y at times, the Dolby Digital 5.1 English track also features muddy effects work. There are some bullet pings and zings, but they are rather indistinct when it comes to directionality. James Horner composed an undistinguished music score for this film, so I can´t really recommend the DVD as a good listen.
Paramount saw fit to include a DTS 5.1 English track and a DD 2.0 surround French track. Optional English and Spanish subtitles as well as optional English closed captions support the audio.
Extras:
"Behind the Danger" is a nearly-thirty-minute featurette that offers interviews with members of the cast and crew. However, it´s a rather lightweight piece. Since most of the featurette is retrospective in nature, you don´t get a lot of promotional fluff from the interviewees. However, when everyone is talking about how "dedicated" and "professional" and "talented" everyone else is, you don´t really want to stick around for the end of the wax job.
The only other extra on the DVD is a theatrical trailer for the film.
--Miscellaneous--
A glossy insert provides chapter listings.
Film Value:
Once again, I had to review a DVD billed as a "Special Collector´s Edition" that clearly does not deserve to be called a special edition in today´s world of multi-disc sets. The extras on the "Clear and Present Danger" DVD are the kind of bonuses that you find on VHS tapes with "added-value materials". While it´s a welcome sight to see Paramount re-doing some of its earliest DVD efforts, I hope that the studio won´t resort to calling any re-issue a "Special Collector´s Edition" just because it has an added DTS track and a making-of featurette.
Video:
Although it was released in 1994, "Clear and Present Danger" looks as if had been shot in 2002. The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen boasts vivid colors, natural fleshtones, great shadow detail, and controlled lighting conditions that give the video image a sharp look. Aside from a few specks that dot the source print, this transfer is just about perfect.
Audio:
While loud and thunderously bass-y at times, the Dolby Digital 5.1 English track also features muddy effects work. There are some bullet pings and zings, but they are rather indistinct when it comes to directionality. James Horner composed an undistinguished music score for this film, so I can´t really recommend the DVD as a good listen.
Paramount saw fit to include a DTS 5.1 English track and a DD 2.0 surround French track. Optional English and Spanish subtitles as well as optional English closed captions support the audio.
Extras:
"Behind the Danger" is a nearly-thirty-minute featurette that offers interviews with members of the cast and crew. However, it´s a rather lightweight piece. Since most of the featurette is retrospective in nature, you don´t get a lot of promotional fluff from the interviewees. However, when everyone is talking about how "dedicated" and "professional" and "talented" everyone else is, you don´t really want to stick around for the end of the wax job.
The only other extra on the DVD is a theatrical trailer for the film.
--Miscellaneous--
A glossy insert provides chapter listings.
Film Value:
Once again, I had to review a DVD billed as a "Special Collector´s Edition" that clearly does not deserve to be called a special edition in today´s world of multi-disc sets. The extras on the "Clear and Present Danger" DVD are the kind of bonuses that you find on VHS tapes with "added-value materials". While it´s a welcome sight to see Paramount re-doing some of its earliest DVD efforts, I hope that the studio won´t resort to calling any re-issue a "Special Collector´s Edition" just because it has an added DTS track and a making-of featurette.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]10847[/release]