Mod Squad, The (LD/DVD)

Released By:

MGM Home Entertainment/Laser Disc distributed by Image Entertainment

Features:

Laser Disc: 1999; 106 Min; Rated R; Dolby Digital 5.1 English; PCM: Dolby Surround English; Widescreen (1.85).

DVD: 1999; 106 Min; Rated R; Dolby Digital 5.1 English, French; Dolby Surround French; Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85).

Extras:

LD: 3 Theatrical Trailers.

DVD: Theatrical Tailer.

Review:

We all know Hollywood executives are enamored with updating classic, and not so classic, television shows for the big screen. Every once in a while this turns into a wise idea, such as The Fugitive, Wayne's World and Maverick. Unfortunately, in most cases, these movies are mediocre, such as Mission Impossible and The Addams Family. Next we come to the titles where you say to yourself, "WHY?" The original shows weren't that good, so who fell over drunk while approving the big screen version. These are the one's than can turn into unmitigated disasters. The Mod Squad is a prime example.

Omar Epps plays the infamous Lincoln Hays (Link), Claire Danes is Julie and Giovanni Ribisi plays the final member of the group, Pete. All three are delinquents turned undercover cops.

The basic plot, and basic is the key word, is: Link, Julie and Pete are three punks that have spent most of their formative years in and out of jails and half way houses. They don't get along with their parents, society or other cops. Their only mentor is their supervisor (Farina). When Farina is killed, supposedly selling stolen drugs, the kids are marked by the rest of the police department as the scapegoats. The Mod Squad is a simple story about corrupt cops, trying to frame the cops everyone believes are corrupt, who are really some of the most honest cops on the police force. Got that? If not, it truely doesn't matter.

Stupid action. Stupid dialog. Stupid concept. Even Jean Claude Van-Damme or Steven Segal wouldn't have signed on to this project. And we all know where their careers currently stand. It's a good thing Epps, Danes, Ribisi and Farina have resumes with other films, besides than this piece of shit.

The actual presentation of the film somewhat stuns me, especially on the LD. While I know DVD can, and should, look better than a laserdisc, it shouldn't be by this much. This is one of the worst looking lasers I've seen in years. There was analog noise all over the place, the colors were muted. Ugh! Maybe I picked up a badly pressed disc. I've seen plenty of bad disc pressing, and I have to believe there was some else wrong with this mess. The DVD is sharper, and the colors are more vibrant, but who cares with this bad of a movie.

The audio is what I expected to stand out, that even sucked. While I didn't hear and differences between the DD of the LD and DVD, it was difficult to do a full A/B when there wasn't much to work with. Outside of a couple club scenes, most of the soundstage was coming through the from three channels. I didn't hear much effective use of the surround channels at all.

As for extras? Hah... This is where the LD beats the DVD hand down. I stretching here. The LD presents three trailers in DD 5.1, while the DVD only has one in Pro-Logic. Huh?

I know that MGM sold off most of their back catalog to Warner this year. They intend to survive on their Polygram, Orion and MGM/UA libraries. The vultures can start circling over this studio, if you call it that, again. Outside of the Bond franchise, they don't have many films. MGM has gone through an enormous amount of financial turmoil the past decade, and with crap like this, they'll stay there.

Do not rent this title! If you buy it, you're license as a home theater enthusiast will be revoked, and out of mercy you should be shot on sight.

Next to Return of the Swamp Thing, this is one of the worst films I have ever seen, this film ranks an 1, and I'm being generous today.

The presentation of this film on LD earns about a 3, with a bonus biscuit for more trailers than the DVD. The DVD is bare bones and earns a 5.

Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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