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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.
Rainbow (1995)

Rainbow (1995)

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Released 22-Nov-2001

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Family Menu Animation & Audio
Featurette-Making Of
Theatrical Trailer
Rating Rated PG
Year Of Production 1995
Running Time 94:08 (Case: 101)
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 1,2,3,4,5,6 Directed By Bob Hoskins
Studio
Distributor
Winchester Pictures
Beyond Home Entertainment
Starring Bob Hoskins
Dan Aykroyd
Willie Lavendahl
Eleanor Misrahi
Jacob Tierney
Jonathan Schuman
Terry Finn
Case Amaray-Transparent
RPI $19.95 Music Alan Reeves


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame Pan & Scan English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio None
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles None Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

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

Plot Synopsis

    Rainbow is a movie about a group of children who manage to find the end of a rainbow and are able to travel inside it.

    Mike is a young boy with an active imagination and when he claims to have found the end of a rainbow his friends and mother are predictably dubious. After finally convincing his friends that he is telling the truth, the group sets out to find another rainbow. Time passes but finally they find another rainbow and are drawn into it, finding themselves transported across the country. While in the rainbow, Mike's brother accidentally damages it and this threatens to wipe out all life on earth.

    Rainbow was the first film ever produced in a completely digital format. The movie was shot using Sony's HDVS equipment and has over 40 minutes of visual effects included. After these effects were added and film was fully edited the movie was transferred to 35mm film for theatrical distribution.

    While this is obviously a kids movie, it unfortunately has little appeal to adult viewers. Young viewers may enjoy this film but older viewers will find that the movie loses momentum as soon as the children enter the rainbow.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    Despite originating in the completely digital domain, this transfer has clearly been taken from a 35mm print.

    The pan and scan transfer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 (the theatrical aspect ratio was 1.85:1).

    The transfer is acceptably sharp throughout but some scenes appear a little soft. No low level noise was detected during the transfer. The film is always brightly lit and consequently there are no obvious problems with shadow detail at any time.

    The colours displayed during the transfer are extremely bright and vibrant during the first part of the film. After the rainbow is damaged, the film intentionally loses colour and eventually appears almost monochromatic. The vibrant colours return to the transfer as the film concludes.

    A single MPEG artefact was detected at 1:46 but the transfer always appears to be on the verge of producing artefacts during any fast-moving scenes. Luckily, these problems with the transfer are relatively minor.

    A large number of aliasing artefacts may be seen during this transfer. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 0:55, 1:46, 8:08, 9:14, 12:14, 13:18 and 14:43. These artefacts are moderately distracting.

    Despite the movie's digital origins, a large number of film artefacts may be seen during this transfer. Some examples may be seen at 0:21, 0:35, 1:09, 4:28 and 5:11. All of these artefacts are quite small but they are a constant minor annoyance throughout.

    A large number of dot crawl artefacts may be seen in this transfer. Some examples of these artefacts are at 22:09, 34:17, 44:05, 45:19, 46:56 and 59:29. These artefacts are moderately distracting.

    No subtitles are provided on this disc.

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

Audio

    This film was originally produced with a complete digital surround mix but unfortunately only a basic Dolby Digital 2.0 224 kbps track is included on this disc.

    The dialogue was clear and easy to understand at all times.

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

    The soundtrack for the film is a combination of modern pop tracks, by bands such as East 17, and a classical score. While not particularly memorable, this soundtrack fits well with the on-screen action.

    The surround and subwoofer channels are not utilised during this 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.

Making Of Featurette (24:04)

    This featurette is of much higher quality than the standard promotional Making Of documentaries usually provided. The featurette covers the casting of the actors, working with a digital format, special effects, stunts and the soundtrack. This extra is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.

Trailer (3:12)

    This trailer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.

R4 vs R1

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

    This disc does not appear to be currently available in Region 1.

Summary

    Rainbow cements its place in history by being the first fully digitally created feature film, but unfortunately it will only appeal to children.

    The pan and scan transfer is disappointing, displaying a high number of aliasing and film artefacts.

    The basic audio mix is sufficient for the film but would have been greatly enhanced by the inclusion of a complete surround mix.

    The included featurette is much higher quality than the normal promotional items and it includes some interesting insights into the making of the film.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Anthony Kable (read my bio)
Monday, December 24, 2001
Review Equipment
DVDToshiba 1200, 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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