ALONG CAME A SPIDER

Paramount Home Entertainment

Widescreen Collection DVD

$29.99

A brilliant criminal kidnaps a senator's young daughter and subsequently telephones detective/author Alex Cross to give proof of the kidnapping.  Being a renowned criminal profiler, Cross agrees to help the FBI in its investigation and also teams up with the Secret Service Agent assigned to protect the missing girl.  As he tries to uncover clues to the girl's whereabouts, Cross encounters some alarming surprises.              

Along Came A Spider stars Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Wincott, Penelope Ann Miller and Michael Moriarity.  It was directed by Lee Tamahori and features music composed by Jerry Goldsmith.  Released theatrically in 2001, the film is rated R with a feature length running time of 103 minutes. 

The movie is presented in an anamorphic widescreen version (2.35:1).  The overall quality of the transfer is excellent.  Images are film-like and colors are rich with fully saturated hues.  There is a high level of contrast with deep black levels.  Picture defect mastering is perfect with no major flaws or digital compression artifacts.

Video Rating: 9 out of 10

The following language tracks are available on this disc: English Dolby Digital 5.1, English and French Dolby 2.0 surround.  The following subtitle tracks are available on this disc: English subtitles and closed captions.  The English Dolby Digital 5.1 track is the basis of this review.  With the possible exception of the kidnapper's initial call to Cross, dialogue is clear and intelligible.  The surround channels are moderately, but effectively utilized throughout the picture.  There are numerous instances of discrete channel activity, most of which take place in the forward channels.  The LFE channel is used infrequently, but does have some powerful moments.

Audio Rating: 7 out of 10

The tactile sound effects for this film are average and are present in roughly half of the DVD's chapters.  The types of tactile effects that can be experienced on this disc range from light to moderate impacts.  The best examples of tactile information occur in chapter 1 (the car chase and subsequent crash) and chapter 6 (the stovetop explosion).  

Tactile Sound Effects Rating: 6 out of 10

Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette; original theatrical trailer; interactive menus and scene selection.

Bonus Features Rating: 5 out of 10