BUENA VISTA is still not opting to give their dvd releases 16:9 enhancement, but from the high quality transfer achieved with their dvd release of "Armageddon", it doesn't matter as much as we thought it would.  The 2.35:1 aspect ratio is intact, and the image is incredible.  We did, however, find some disc problems with the image becoming stuck and then skipping, but we believe this was a chance defect in our copy, as no other reports have been made in this regard.  The color scheme is vibrant and sharp, there is great separation between the black and gray tones.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound is extremely active, with an abundance of subwoofer effects, adding great power to the numerous special effect sequences.  In addition, BUENA VISTA has also offered the hit music video from Aerosmith, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

Far better than "Clueless", a poor man's replica of this tale, "Emma" looks and sounds superior to the laserdisc version, with brighter colors and more consistent fleshtones.  The dolby surround sound is a little disappointing, especially since the musical score from Rachel(Joy Luck Club)Portman is so wonderful,   but this is a film whose atmosphere is centered around a visual rather than oratory design.  While Gwyneth Paltrow is fine in the starring role, it's Gretta Scacchi and Polly Walker that will leave viewers wanting for more.

BUENA VISTA has already released a collector's edition of this film through their Miramax Collector's series(see review elsewhere on site), and this version is the exact same high quality transfer sans the audio commentary, deleted scenes, and featurette.   The advantage is a $10.00 reduction in price, and we don't think it's worth it, or rather, we firmly believe the extras are so great, that any fan of the film would be a fool not to go for the higher priced collector's series version.  The picture quality on both is excellent, with no more grain present than in the theatrical version, and an engaging 5.1 sound mix.  The Miss Misery Music video is also offered here.

David Twohy, responsible for "Waterworld" and "Speed" wrote this action/thriller.  But "Terminal Velocity" makes the plots to those films resemble Shakespeare.  Charlie Sheen stars as a skydiving instructor caught up in international intrigue and the Russian mafia after accidentally causing the death of a beautiful student. Previously low-budget director, Deran Sarafian deserves credit for moving this film along at a fast enough pace to forget the gaping holes in the story.   BUENA VISTA deserves credit for offering a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack filled with directional effects, far superior to anything achieved with the standard pro-logic laserdisc offering.  The 2.35:1 transfer is extremely sharp and slick.