Set in a small coastal US town, a torrential downpour of rain is flooding the street, but mainly due to the excess of water in the nearby damn  having to be drained as it builds up, and the path of this drainage is the townships below.  
Meanwhile, Tom(Christian Slater) and his partner Charlie(Ed Asner), both "Armour Guard" like guys having the task of picking up the money from ALL the banks in the path of the water, and have so far collected some 3 million dollars.  Unfortunately for them, when their truck gets stuck, the call they make to head office is intercepted by a few baddies and they are soon after the loot.  When Charlie is shot dead, Tom takes of with the money. 
Trying his luck out hiding in the towns local church Karen(Minnie Driver sporting a half decent US accent) knocks him out cold with a large crucifix, and he is taken to the local lockup.  When Tom comes to and explains himself, the local sheriff (Randy Quaid) decides to investigate matters.

Though Hard Rain follows your basic disaster/action/on the run plot, it's still able to be 90 minutes of popcorn entertainment.  With likeable characters, and your more underplayed bad guy (Morgan Freeman), you not as inclined to wish everyone dead, but rather enjoy the motions of chases on Jet skiies through the town, excessive gun play and flying through the air out board motors!!!! 

Christopher (hellraiser, Em street 2) Young, has composed the appropriate musical score, which oddly enough shows traces of Hellraiser in it (the score that is), though I find some composers reusing moments (like James Horned did with Titanic and Mask of Zorro) it was quite surprising to hear elements of a horror film used in an action piece

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
Though Universal Pictures Home Video (ex  Polygram) haven't released too many movies on DVD, even popular ones, they do quite well in the authoring department.   For this DVD you have two choices in viewing formats.  a 2:35:1 anamorphic image, or a slightly cropped Pan and Scan version.  As this film was shot in the Super 35 format the 2.35:1 version has essentially been letterboxed for it's framing, loosing some Top and bottom info, whereas the Pan and Scan version looses some side info, but keeps the top and bottom info.  As this film was shot for Cinema at 2.35:1 that composition does look better overall, and is the ideal version to view.  In any case both transfers are terrific, with virtually no aliasing, or signs of dirt on the source print.  Colour Saturation is slightly muted, which for this film  looks intentional, but looks great when called for.  There where a few spots where image smearing was evident, though it was never excessive, and really didn't pose a problem.
With so much of this film taking place in the rain and at night is it surprising how much details there was and generally how sharp the picture was. 

On the audio side of things, there are 2 Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks (for English and Spanish) and they rock!!!
Though on my 'sync impaired' Pioneer 717 the audio was marginally out of sync for most of the movie, the soundtrack is still a pleasure to listen to.  The music makes great use of the front sound stage and is live with ambience from the rears throughout.   Bass attack is constant, and directional effects are well utilised in all channels.     

As far as extras go, there really aren't any.  Other than the terrific animated menus with 5.1 audio (which consists of a rain storm), the only extra goodies are the booklet found in the front section of the Supersized Jewel case.

If you are in the mood for a no-brainer action flick, that is 90 minutes of popcorn eating fun, take a look at Hard Rain.  

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: B&W 602
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: Jamo Magic 14
     Subby: M&K V125 

- reviewed 14th November 1999