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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Olsen Twins-Holiday in the Sun (2001)

Olsen Twins-Holiday in the Sun (2001) (NTSC)

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Released 27-Nov-2002

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Family Featurette-Behind The Scenes
Featurette-Fashion Close-Up, Atlantis Resort Promotion
Listing-Cast & Crew
Trailer-Mary-Kate and Ashley Video Trailer
Trailer-Mary-Kate and Ashley DVD Trailer
Music Video-Us Against The World by PLAY
Rating Rated G
Year Of Production 2001
Running Time 87:57
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Ads Then Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Steve Purcell
Studio
Distributor

Warner Home Video
Starring Mary-Kate Olsen
Ashley Olsen
Austin Nichols
Ben Easter
Ashley Hughes
Markus Flanagan
Jamie Rose
Jeff Altman
Billy Aaron Brown
Wendy Schaal
Case Amaray-Transparent
RPI $29.95 Music Steve Porcaro


Video (NTSC) Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame Full Frame English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio None
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 480i (NTSC)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles French
Spanish
Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement Yes, Atlantis Resort
Action In or After Credits Yes, Outtakes

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

    Holiday In The Sun is a film about two girls that are taken by their parents on a holiday to the island resort of Atlantis in Barbados.

    Madison (Mary-Kate Olsen) and Alex Stewart (Ashley Olsen) are two sisters who are looking forward to their winter break trip with their friends to Hawaii. While planning the trip they are taken by their parents to the Barbados island resort Atlantis. Joining them on this holiday are their parent's business partners and their two children, Griffen and Keegan. Initially disappointed that they are not with their friends, the twins decide to make the best of their situation and enjoy themselves. The pair quickly discover the resort's beaches and nightlife and they each meet a local boy. As the group's vacation progresses they become involved in an international antiquities smuggling ring and they must prove their innocence.

    This film is typical of those featuring the Olsen twins with a simple storyline and minimal character development that holds no real surprises for viewers. A high percentage of the movie is a promotion for the Atlantis resort and many shots are obviously included just to highlight the various features of the location. This straight-to-video release was obviously produced on a relatively small budget and unfortunately there is very little about the film that will appeal to most viewers.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The full frame NTSC transfer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

    The transfer is quite soft throughout and never displays high levels of detail. During the occasional dark scenes the shadow detail displayed is average but is adequate and never annoying. No low-level noise was detected during the transfer.

    The palette displayed during the film covers a wide range of vibrant colours but the image displayed is always quite muted.

    The image constantly has small MPEG artefacts present during the transfer and it always appears to be on the verge of constant macro-blocking. These artefacts are less annoying than expected as they blend in with the presence of obvious heavy film grain found throughout the transfer.

    A number of aliasing artefacts may be seen throughout the transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 2:04, 4:35, 5:10, 5:27 and 7:31. Due to their frequency these artefacts are moderately disturbing.

    As previously mentioned, the transfer displays obvious grain throughout and this is moderately irritating. A number of minor film artefacts may be seen throughout the transfer with examples visible at 4:26, 7:14, 18:14, 22:31 and 35:08.

    Two small instances of dot-crawl may be seen during the transfer at 4:48 and 5:34.

    French and Spanish white subtitles are provided for the main feature. An English set of closed captions is included on the disc and I extensively sampled these, finding them constantly accurate.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    A single English Dolby Digital 192 kbps 2.0 surround soundtrack is included on the disc.

    The dialogue is clear and easy to understand but is slightly muffled during occasional scenes. Luckily, this never causes significant problems.

    No dropouts or problems with audio sync were detected at any time during the transfer.

    The score by Steve Porcaro always suits the on-screen action but never draws attention to itself and it is supplemented by numerous pop tracks including Island In the Sun by Weezer.

    The surround channel was used throughout to support the score and occasional effects but never draws attention to itself.

    The LFE channel was not utilized during the transfer.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

Menu

    The non-animated menu is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

Atlantis Resort Promotion (1:01)

    This is a short promotional item for the Atlantis resort featured in the film. This advertisement is played when the disc is first inserted and is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 surround soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 that is not 16x9 enhanced.

Behind The Scenes (5:11)

    This featurette provides a short summary of the film and a small amount of behind the scenes footage. This featurette is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.

Fashion Close-Up (4:31)

    This short featurette highlights some of the fashions worn by Mary-Kate and Ashley throughout the film. This featurette is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 surround soundtrack at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and it is not 16x9 enhanced.

Music Video: Us Against The World by PLAY (4:00)

    This is a music video by pop group PLAY who also perform during the film. This music video is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 surround soundtrack.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Video Trailer (1:07)

    This is a collection of short previews for the various VHS titles that are available in Region 1 staring Mary-Kate and Ashley. This trailer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 surround soundtrack.

Mary-Kate and Ashley DVD Trailer (1:34)

    This is a collection of short previews for the various DVD titles that are available in Region 1 staring Mary-Kate and Ashley. This trailer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 surround soundtrack.

Cast Information

    This is a single page listing the roles for Mary-Kate, Ashley and major cast members.

Crew Information

    This is a single page listing the roles for the film's major crew members.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    The R1 and R4 releases of this disc are identical.

Summary

    While most mature viewers will feel let down by this film, its intended target audience of young teen girls may find that it has enough to hold their attention.

    The NTSC transfer is adequate but it does display a number of artefacts.

    The 2.0 surround soundtrack is adequate for the material presented.

    The collection of extras contains little real information about the film but the fashion highlights may appeal to some viewers.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Anthony Kable (read my bio)
Saturday, February 08, 2003
Review Equipment
DVDToshiba 2109, using S-Video output
DisplaySony KP-E41SN11. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
AmplificationFront left/right: ME75b; Center: DA50ES; rear left/right: DA50ES; subwoofer: NAD 2600 (Bridged)
SpeakersFront left/right: VAF DC-X; Center: VAF DC-6; rear left/right: VAF DC-7; subwoofer: Custom NHT-1259

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