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  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.85:1
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  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
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The Big Easy
Force Entertainment/Force Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 100 mins . PG . PAL

  Feature
Contract

When it comes to people in authority, there's a fine line between a bribe and a gift. Corruption, especially in areas of law enforcement, can be a very touchy subject. Is it ok to receive a freebie, or even a discount, just because of the job you've undertaken to do? Is the giver expecting any special treatment in return?

That's what Anne Osborne (Ellen Barkin), assistant District Attorney in New Orleans, is asking of the N.O.P.D. Brought in to investigate corruption in the department, Anne crosses paths with Remy McSwain (Dennis Quaid), a homicide detective currently working a murder case linked with local drug smugglers.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

For a movie that's almost 15 years old, we've got quite a nice package here. The source used in the transfer is very clean, with few if any scratches or specks of dirt. Colours are strong, blacks are solid, and contrast and shadow detail is good. On the down side, there are some signs of aliasing and minor edge-enhancement, though nothing that would degrade casual viewing.

In terms of audio, we have a stereo soundtrack tuned for the movie it accompanies. Dialogue is the key point here, and clear dialogue is what we get, with a touch of breadth during the films musical interludes. There's nothing that will win awards here, but neither will you be complaining about what you hear.

It seems over the past six months that someone decided the old "Production Notes" extra was not popular enough to warrant going through all that research, as it's been a while since I've seem them on a new disc. This is an unfortunate situation, as a few screenfulls of well written notes can give you more, and higher quality, information on a film than the three minute "Behind the scenes" featurette that commonly gets tossed about. Enter Force Video with 16 television screens full of text about The Big Easy - why it was set in New Orleans, the preparation done by Quaid and Barkin, and the hoops they jumped through to put together the final effects shot. Well done, FV - I hope the other companies take note.

While not to everyone's tastes, The Big Easy is a cop film that makes a comfortable afternoons viewing. If that is your style, this DVD will make a nice addition to your library.


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  •   And I quote...
    "Folks have a certain way o' doin' things down here... and so it seems, do Force Video - and you can be sure they're doin' 'em right."
    - Andrew MacLennan
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
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          Philips 29PT6361
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          Aaron ATS-5
    • Centre Speaker:
          Aaron CC-240
    • Surrounds:
          Aaron SS-120
    • Subwoofer:
          Aaron SUB-240
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          Standard Component RCA
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