Finally, Mel Brooks' best and most politically incorrect film is now available on laserdisc in its correct aspect ratio.  Although its DVD image is still unsurpassed, this transfer is first-rate with excellent fleshtones and sharp contrast.  Brooks satires everything in this western spoof, and it's hard to think of one scene that didn't leave this reviewer grabbing her sides with laughter. 

Although Brooks has used 1.85:1 aspect ratios with his later films, it can't be due to lack of  vision.  Blazing Saddles is filled with well conceived panoramic moments, and the 2.35:1 ratio has been perfectly rendered here.  The mono sound is extremely sharp.  The same audio commentary with Brooks is offered here on an analog track.

Richard Donner's "Conspiracy Theory" places him back on top as one of the best directors around, something he must have forgotten when directing "Assassins."  Part romance, part thriller, "Conspiracy Theory"   follows Mel Gibson as a delusional, paranoid cab driver offering one theory after another to anyone who'll listen.  Julia Roberts stars as an attorney and the object of his desires.  Constantly trying to persuade Roberts to investigate his theories, she begins to get involved when someone tries to kill him.   Evidently, one of his wild theories is actually true!  Brilliantly written, photographed, scored, acted, and directed, this is one film that gets a well deserved  new life on laserdisc.

The transfer is stunning to watch.  From the opening scenes with neon images playing off a damp taxi window cascading down Manhattan to the lush outdoors of the film's finale, the colors and fleshtones are perfect. The film is presented in its 2.35:1 ratio, and anything less would ruin it.  The standard Dolby surround offers numerous effects, but the Dolby Digital sound is really necessary to fully appreciate what Donner has accomplished.  The score by Carter Burwell is outstanding, and manages to add much to the film's depth in the 5.1 mode.  In the standard pro-logic scheme, it's almost non-eventful.

The actors from the previous films may have changed their appearance with age, but the basic plot structure to the third film in the series isn't that much different in theme from the original.  However, the bad guys in this one are far meaner than the ones previously wanting to exploit the killer whale for an amusement center.  These guys want the killer whale for its meat.  A sad but true tale, the Japanese are willing to pay large amounts for such exotic animals. There are plenty of moments for the entire family, and kids will certainly enjoy the "adolescent-taking on the bad guys-theme". 

The new director has chosen to use a tighter scope than in the previous films, but the picture always looks terrific and there are some memorable images. The standard Dolby surround sound offers an abundance of directional effects, but the Dolby Digital track is preffered due to its greater dimensions. Unfortunately, WARNER BROS IMAGE didn't elect to present the 2nd side in CAV, even though the film only runs 85 minutes.

Director Joel Schumacher's visual style actually proves to enhance, rather than hinder the newest entry in the Warner Bros. Batman film series. His last outing, Batman Forever, suffered greatly from heavy-handed editing & visual jolts every two seconds. The latest, Batman & Robin, is for the most part accessible to the discriminating viewer. The plot, involving Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy, has the two villains doing their utmost to freeze the city and stop the hearts of the dynamic duo. A subplot involving Alicia Silverstone as the troubled niece of Alfred the Butler is the only thing that almost stops the film dead in its tracks. George Clooney is fine as the Caped Crusader, but then again, almost anyone with a defined jawline has proven adequate for the job as the previous films attest.

Schumacher's various color schemes are perfectly preserved with this sharp transfer. The fleshtones are perfect and the 1.85:1 aspect ratio is perfectly preserved. The Dolby Digital soundtrack offers incredible directional effects. The two disc set offers the film's conclusion in the CAV format.