...an eye and ear-pleasing, action-packed entry in the Bond series
Video:
As usual for the series, MGM present the image in as close to its original Panavision size as possible, in this case a 2.17:1 ratio anamorphic widescreen. Unlike the previous DVD version, there is no pan-and-scan option. The visual quality is excellent, of course, with a minimum of color bleed and a maximum of bright, rich colors and sharp delineation.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio distributes the sound effectively throughout the channels, with a wide front stereo spread and a wealth of rear-speaker activities. "GoldenEye" has quite a few things blowing up, shooting around, and flying over, so it makes a perfect vehicle for showcasing DD 5.1's ability to send five discrete signals to the five main speakers. Need I mention, too, that bass output to the subwoofer is enormous? It is.
Extras:
Apart from the great picture and sound, this Special 007 Edition comes with a typical array of add-ons. There's the expected audio commentary by the director, Martin Campbell, and the producer, Michael G. Wilson. There's the equally expected featurette, this time called "The GoldenEye Video Journal," but lasting only a disappointing fourteen minutes. A lengthier, forty-three minute documentary made for television and hosted by Elizabeth Hurley, "The World of 007," provides information about the entire Bond series. Did you know, for instance, that "GoldenEye" was the name of author Ian Fleming's retreat in Jamaica? You did? OK. Tina Turner does a music video of the movie's theme song. There's a five-minute behind-the-scenes promotional featurette that doesn't amount to much more than an extended trailer. Then MGM provide their usual informational booklet insert, eight pages. Scene selections include a generous forty-nine chapter stops. There are two theatrical trailers and twelve different TV spots. Finally, English and French are offered as spoken language and subtitle options, curiously minus the Spanish that was provided on the earlier disc.
Parting Thoughts:
However you look at it, "GoldenEye" is an eye and ear-pleasing, action-packed entry in the Bond series, and for my money it's a better introduction to Pierce Brosnan as Bond than his following two 007 portrayals. If you're a Bond fan, and I daresay few home-theater buffs are not, you may be assured that this is one of the most worthwhile of the newer productions, especially in its fancy, bonus-packed edition.
"GoldenEye" may be purchased separately or in a box set that includes "Dr. No," "Goldfinger," "The Man With the Golden Gun," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "Licence to Kill," and "Tomorrow Never Dies."
As usual for the series, MGM present the image in as close to its original Panavision size as possible, in this case a 2.17:1 ratio anamorphic widescreen. Unlike the previous DVD version, there is no pan-and-scan option. The visual quality is excellent, of course, with a minimum of color bleed and a maximum of bright, rich colors and sharp delineation.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio distributes the sound effectively throughout the channels, with a wide front stereo spread and a wealth of rear-speaker activities. "GoldenEye" has quite a few things blowing up, shooting around, and flying over, so it makes a perfect vehicle for showcasing DD 5.1's ability to send five discrete signals to the five main speakers. Need I mention, too, that bass output to the subwoofer is enormous? It is.
Extras:
Apart from the great picture and sound, this Special 007 Edition comes with a typical array of add-ons. There's the expected audio commentary by the director, Martin Campbell, and the producer, Michael G. Wilson. There's the equally expected featurette, this time called "The GoldenEye Video Journal," but lasting only a disappointing fourteen minutes. A lengthier, forty-three minute documentary made for television and hosted by Elizabeth Hurley, "The World of 007," provides information about the entire Bond series. Did you know, for instance, that "GoldenEye" was the name of author Ian Fleming's retreat in Jamaica? You did? OK. Tina Turner does a music video of the movie's theme song. There's a five-minute behind-the-scenes promotional featurette that doesn't amount to much more than an extended trailer. Then MGM provide their usual informational booklet insert, eight pages. Scene selections include a generous forty-nine chapter stops. There are two theatrical trailers and twelve different TV spots. Finally, English and French are offered as spoken language and subtitle options, curiously minus the Spanish that was provided on the earlier disc.
Parting Thoughts:
However you look at it, "GoldenEye" is an eye and ear-pleasing, action-packed entry in the Bond series, and for my money it's a better introduction to Pierce Brosnan as Bond than his following two 007 portrayals. If you're a Bond fan, and I daresay few home-theater buffs are not, you may be assured that this is one of the most worthwhile of the newer productions, especially in its fancy, bonus-packed edition.
"GoldenEye" may be purchased separately or in a box set that includes "Dr. No," "Goldfinger," "The Man With the Golden Gun," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "Licence to Kill," and "Tomorrow Never Dies."
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]2996[/release]