Warner Home Video
Special Features DVD
$19.98
Barcelona is the tale of two American cousins who are spending time in Spain for different, work-related reasons. Ted is a salesman trying to get ahead working at his firm's overseas branch, while Fred is a U.S. Navy Lt. on a public relations mission. In their own contrasting styles, both men attempt to find love amongst the myriad of women they encounter there.
Barcelona stars Taylor Nichols, Chris Eigeman, Mira Sorvino, Tushka Bergen, Pep Munne, Hellena Schmied, Nuria Badia, Jack Gilpin and Thomas Gibson. It was written, produced, and directed by Whit Stillman and features music by Mark Suozzo. Released theatrically in 1994, the film is rated PG-13 and has a feature running time of 101 minutes.
The DVD is presented in a widescreen version (1.85:1) that is enhanced for widescreen monitors. The overall quality of the transfer is very good. Images appear clean and colors are accurate with saturated hues. Contrast is adequate and black levels are dark. Picture defect mastering is perfect with no major flaws or digital compression artifacts.
Video Rating: 7 out of 10
The following spoken language options are available for this DVD: English, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 2.0 surround. The following subtitle tracks are available: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, along with English closed captions. The English Dolby Digital 2.0 track is the basis for this review. The soundtrack mix heavily favors the forward channels. Dialogue is properly centered and natural sounding. The surround channels, when not being used for background music or the occasional ambient sound, are mostly silent. The LFE channel is mellow and used only to enhance the music soundtrack.
Audio Rating: 6 out of 10
The tactile sound effects are average and are present in about 25% of the DVD's 32 chapters. Subtle to moderate impacts are the type of tactile effect that can be experienced on this disc. These tactile effects occur almost exclusively with the music segments, the best examples of which being the nightclub scenes in chapters 9, 10, and 20.
Tactile Sound Effects Rating: 5 out of 10
Bonus features include an audio commentary with director Whit Stillman and actors Taylor Nichols and Christopher Eigeman; making-of documentary; cast & crew biographies; theatrical trailer; deleted scenes with optional commentary; alternate ending with optional commentary; interactive menus and scene access.
Bonus Features Rating: 7 out of 10