| The subject of make-believe universes has
been virtually much exhausted for the moment by "The Matrix" ,
"eXistenZ" and by "Dark City", it is a shame that with "The
Thirteenth Floor" unfortunately it does not taking us anywhere new or original.
Perhaps it may have seemed fresher or more interesting if we hadn't already seen so many
other science-fiction thrillers with a similar premise The 13th Floor tells the story of Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko –
Long Kiss Goodnight) who wakes up one morning to discover that his mentor Hannon
Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl – The Peacemaker) has been murdered. Even scarier
is the blood-soaked shirt in Hall's bathroom with Hall having no idea how it got there.
As an added bonus, the investigating detective, Larry
McBain (Dennis Haysbert - Heat), soon suspects Hall of killing Fuller. Soon we see the
source of Fuller's double life: the designer of a computer system that lets the user
download into a virtual universe, Fuller designs one set in 1937 and full of art-deco
design and bustling night life. The first hitch as he finds out, is that users must take
the physical form of a pre-designed virtual character, all of whom have their own lives
and who suffer some nasty identity issues when a real person morphs in and takes over.
The device allows most of the cast to play two different
characters generally at psychic war with each other. However no one is exactly happy to
learn that their lives are a lie. Understandably confused, Hall decides to go for the
first time into the simulation himself and attempt to find the killer of his friend
Fuller.
So how does the transfer hold up ??
VIDEO
The DVD is presented and distributed by Columbia Tri-Star. At the risk of sounding like a
broken down record when reviewing DVD’s from CTS the disc is again up to the usual
excellent standard. The video transfer is stunning, clear & vibrant were the words
that came to mind whilst typing this review. It is free of grain except where
intentionally used by the Director, early on in the film we are taken back to the
1930’s, the image changes to one of a sepia nature with low level blacks, washed out
colours etc. The transfer renders this beautifully. It’s anamorphically
framed at the aspect ratio of 2.35:1.
AUDIO
The English Dolby Digital 5.1 track sounded very, very good. Dialogue was
clear and easy to understand. The mix is very aggressive and dynamic at times, especially
when transporting in and out of the virtual world. The surround channels also add great
ambience and atmosphere to the film.
EXTRAS
Well I don’t necessarily agree with CTS that the amount of extras included amounts to
a ‘Collectors Edition’ , however we are treated to :-
- Cast Bios
- Filmographies
- Trailer
- Director & Production Designer Commentary
- Concept Art Gallery
- Music Video "erase/rewind" by the Cardigans
- Special Effects Before / After Gallery
Overall a decent movie which I enjoyed in spite of the
other Sci-Fi films released around the same time. Definitely worth a rental at least.
Recommended.zech
Danish Finnish
| PICTURE
QUALITY |
9/10
columbia's usual excellence |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
8/10 clean and Clear
7/10 aggressive at times |
| EXTRAS |
7/10 not
quite the said Collector's Edition..but |
Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T43W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Toshiba 2109 Region Free
Receiver: Yamaha RXV995 (DD/DTS)
Speakers:-
Fronts: Polk Audio RT55
Centre: Polk Audio CS350
Rears: Polk Audio AB705's
Sub: M&K MX125
- Reviewed 20th November 2000
* Jurassic Park jpeg files for
internet promotion use only. Copyright© exists on all aspects of these files by Universal
Pictures. |
