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Dreamscape

List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]

Review by Earl Cressey | posted June 16, 2000 | E-mail the Author

Movie:
Dreamscape, released theatrically in 1984, is a science-fiction thriller starring Dennis Quaid, Max Von Sydow, and Kate Capshaw. Alex Gardner (Quaid) is a telepath who has ran away from his past as a lab subject; he only uses his gift now to make some extra cash at the racetrack. At the same time, Dr. Paul Novotny (Sydow) and Dr. Jane DeVries (Capshaw) are conducting dream research for the government, under the direction of Bob Blair (Christopher Plummer), a corrupt, high-ranking official. They discover that a telepath can enter someone's nightmares and shape/alter it, in order to help the dreamer. Alex, once a patient of Novotny, is drafted and tracked down. He unwillingly agrees to help with the project after being blackmailed.

After helping several people conquer their nightmares, Alex discovers Blair's true reasons behind the research; it seems that if the dreamer is killed in their dream, they die in real life. Blair trains a "dream-assassin" in order to kill the President of the United States; that is, unless Alex can get to him in time.

Picture:
Dreamscape is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The color is vibrant, and the picture is quite good for a film of its age - better than I expected. However, there is some noticeable grain, discoloration, white specks, and a few marks on the film. None of this seriously detracts from the movie though.

Sound:
Dreamscape is presented in three audio options: DTS 5.1, DD 5.1, and DD 2.0. DD 5.1 adds some directionality to the score and the effects; however, these uses are few. The original 2.0 presentation sounds very good - although you lose some directionality, the sound is usually more enveloping.

Extras:
Dreamscape has very neat, interactive, motion menus. There is also an audio commentary by Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis, Writer David Loughery, and Special Effects Artist Craig Reardon. Although slightly dry and slow, it provides interesting background information on the making of Dreamscape. Also included is a short snakeman special effects test sequence, a slide show of still images, and a menu option titled "monster" that shows a (brief) clip from the movie.

Summary:
Dreamscape is a finely crafted sci-fi movie; although the special effects are dated by today's standards, the acting is top-notch and the story is fairly interesting. Recommended for those interested in the genre or the actors.

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