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Mrs. Doubtfire
review by Zach B.
Rated PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan,
Harvey Fierstein, Robert Prosky, Lisa Jakub, Matthew
Lawerence, Mara Wilson
Based upon the novel "Alias Madame Doubtfire" by Anne
Fine, Screenplay by Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon
Directed by Chris Columbus
Retail Price: 29.99
Features: Running Commentary by Chris Columbus, Over 30
Minutes of Deleted Scenes, On-Camera Interviews with Robin
Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Harvery Fierstein, Chris Columbus.
Interview with Chuck Jones, Behid-the-Scenes Footage of
Makeup Tests and Application, Storyboards, Animation Pencil
Tests, Theatrical Trailers and TV Spot
Specs: Non Anamorphic Widescreen (Aspect Ratio 2:35:1),
5.0 Dolby Surround in English, 2.0 Dolby Surround in English
and French, Scene Selection (23 Chapters), English and
Spanish subtitles
A really big hit at the box office and rave reviews, it's
no reason why "Mrs. Doubtfire" was such a big success. Big
stars, a great script, good directing, and of course, Robin
Williams being his funny best, and playing two roles.
For those unfamiliar with the movie, "Mrs. Doubtfire" is
about a loving father named Daniel Hillard, a (former)
voice-actor who loves his kids. But after his wife (Sally
Field) has had enough, they divorce and Daniel can not see
his kids as often as he likes too. With the help of his
brother (Harvey Fierstein), Daniel applies for a nanny job
at his once home, being transformed into "Mrs. Doubtfire".
She cooks, she cleans, she plays sports, she's the greatest
nanny you could have asked for. But of course, there will
always be some kind of conflict with this scenario... and
there is, always often with hilarious results.
The acting is top notch, especially by Williams, who did
win a Golden Globe for his performance (and the movie won
for Best Comedy or Musical). As I also said, the script is
solid and never bores and is always hilarious. And Columbus'
direction really helps this movie comes to life. Mrs.
Doubtfire is a very good film, which is all about the love
of one father for his children.
Not much to say. It's non anamorphic, but is pretty solid
and nice. Fox is really the only studio who has not jumped
on the "Anamorphic Bandwagon". It is the transfer from the
laserdisc.
Also not much to say. It's not an action picture, so no
loud sounds are really needed, but the dialogue is clear,
and works fairly well with the 5.0 Dolby Surround. Nothing
to get too exicted about, it is a fairly decent mix. Yet
there are a few more sudden action sounds here and there.
Also included is 2.0 Dolby Surround mix in English and
French.
From what I hear, all these features are a port right
from the laserdisc. The Running Commentary by Chris
Columbus is a delight to hear, and one of the better
commentaries I have heard. Though Columbus does sound like
he is reading his comments, there are a lot of stories to
tell, a lot of them funny and informative. Over 30
Minutes of Deleted Scenes are a nice addition, even
though they are not in a menu based format, they just roll
on. They are editied too, and you can see why they were
removed from the film, but the whole gardening sub-plot is
funny. There are some On-Camera Interviews with Robin
Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Harvery Fierstein, Chris
Columbus to view, an Interview with Chuck Jones,
Behid-the-Scenes Footage of Makeup Tests and
Application, Storyboards, Animation Pencil
Tests for the that whole cartoon at the start of the
movie, and to top it off, Theatrical Trailers and TV
Spot. Even though it's a port from the laserdisc, it's a
lot more then Fox usually offers.
A very funny and charming movie, with decent sound and a
good (NON-ANAMORPHIC!) transfer, plus some good extra
features to boot, "Mrs. Doubtfire" is worth the money if you
did like the movie.
 (4/5, NOT included in
final score)
(4/5)
 (3.5/5)
(3.5/5)
(3.5/5, NOT an average)
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