Spy Hard

General		Extras
Category	Comedy	Theatrical Trailer(s)	None
Rating		Other Trailer(s)	None
Year Released	1996	Commentary Tracks	None
Running Time	77:38 minutes (Not 81 minutes as stated on the packaging)	Other Extras	None
RSDL/Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Movie
Region	2,4	Director	Rick Friedberg
Studio Distributor	Warner Home Video	Starring	Leslie Nielsen Nicollette Sheridan Charles Durning Marcia Gay Harden Barry Bostwick Andy Griffith
RRP	$34.95	Music	Bill Conti

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	No	MPEG	None
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Dolby Digital	5.1
16x9 Enhancement	Yes	Soundtrack Languages	English (Dolby Digital 5.1, 384 Kb/s) French (Dolby Digital 5.1, 384 Kb/s) Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0 , 192 Kb/s)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Macrovision	Yes	Smoking	Yes
Subtitles	English Dutch  English for the Hearing Impaired	Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

    The films that this spoofs are longer than the plot details, and range far and wide. Amongst the more recognizable are Speed, ET, Home Alone, In The Line of Fire, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Pulp Fiction, True Lies, Sister Act et al. And if you think that is an eclectic bunch, you got that right. Then add in the guest appearances like Ray Charles as the bus driver in Speed, and you can "see" where we are heading.

    Which is all lost really because this is not the greatest spoof that you are ever likely to see. Whilst Leslie Nielsen could make an undertakers guide funny, even this is beyond his considerable talents. The only really saving grace here is the delight of Nicollette Sheridan.

Video

    Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and 16x9 enhanced, at times it is difficult to believe the enhanced bit.

    The transfer is not especially sharp and at times lacks an awful lot in definition. At times the picture looks quite grainy. Shadow detail is not especially good and just adds to the general disappointment here.

    The colours were somewhat variable in presentation: at times quite vibrant and at other times a little lacking in vibrancy. Whilst never dull, the inconsistency is a little offputting.

    MPEG artefacts were a bit of a problem, as panning shots seemed to have a degree of blur to them, which was a bit distracting. Not serious, but enough to make the focus go a little awry and be noticeable. At one point (58:40) there was a minor jitter in the transfer, again not serious but noticeable. Film artefacts were very prevalent during the film and were a little distracting, which is very disappointing as this is not an old film.

Audio

    There are three audio tracks on the DVD, the default being an English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. There is also a French Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack and an Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 surround-encoded soundtrack. I listened to the English default.

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

    Audio sync did not appear to be a problem with the transfer at all..

     Since this is a spoof, the musical score by Bill Conti was suitably reminiscent of many other film soundtracks, most especially the James Bond series. It suited the film very well obviously, although equally not very original either.

    The surround channels were well balanced and there was some gorgeous detail out of the rear channels - check out some of the golf club and bar scene details. Amongst some of the best detail that I have heard for a while. You were nicely inserted into the sound picture.

    The subwoofer got some serious workout here, and whilst I felt some of the bass was a little over the top (such as with the car), the use was consistent with the style of the film.

Menu

• 16x9 enhancement

    The overall video quality is acceptable, nothing more.

    The audio quality is actually pretty damn good, especially in comparison.

    Let me know if you find some extras to give to Buena Vista. They must run out of white paper soon surely?

Video
Audio
Extras	que?
Plot
Overall

© Ian Morris
10th September 1999