Conspiracy Theory
Warner Brothers (1997)
Action, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
In Collection
#643
6*
Seen It:  Yes
(6/13/2011)
085391509127
IMDB   6.4
135 mins USA/English
DVD  Region 1   R
Mel Gibson Jerry Fletcher
Julia Roberts Alice Sutton
Patrick Stewart Dr. Jonas
Cylk Cozart Agent Lowry
Steve Kahan Mr. Wilson
Terry Alexander Flip
Alex McArthur Cynic
Rod McLachlan Justice Guard
Michael Potts Justice Guard
Jim Sterling Justice Guard
Rich Hebert Public Works Man
Director Richard Donner
Producer Richard Donner
Joel Silver
Dan Cracchiolo
Julie Durk
Writer Brian Helgeland

What is it about director Richard Donner that Mel Gibson enjoys so much that he's appeared in five of Donner's films? Is it the on-set pranks? Could it be the big-budget perks and $20-million paychecks? Or is it just a well-stocked catering table? Whatever the case, the Lethal Weapon star and director teamed up again, along with fellow superstar Julia Roberts, for this typically glossy, entertaining but ultimately hokey thriller. Gibson plays New York cab driver Jerry Fletcher, whose wacky belief in conspiracies finally hits on a coincidental truth involving an evil figure named Jonas (Patrick Stewart) and a secret program of government-funded mind control. Roberts plays the Justice Department attorney who finally believes in Jerry's paranoid ramblings. With a plot (from LA. Confidential cowriter Brian Helgeland) that's a lot of fun as long as you don't think about it too critically, Conspiracy Theory benefits immeasurably from the charisma of its high-magnitude stars. --Jeff Shannon
Edition Details
Chapters 33
Release Date 12/30/1997
Packaging Snap Case
Screen Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo
Layers Dual Side, Single Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 1/13/2003
Owner Thomas Eisenmann
Store Best Buy
Purchase Price $7.88
Condition Excellent
Reviewed Widescreen Review
Bit Rate 384 KB
Anamophic Yes
Links IMDB

Features
Anamophic
Color Closed-captioned Dolby Widescreen

Widescreen Review
Story Synopsis:
Conspiracy Theory is a quirky thriller that features Gibson as a New York City cab driver, who tries to inform the beautiful Justice Department attorney, Alice Sutton (Roberts) about conspiracy theories involving top levels of the government. They both find themselves running for their lives from the menacing government psychiatrist Dr. Jonas (Stewart).

DVD Picture:
The picture quality is exeptional on both the DVD and LaserDisc, but especially on the DVD which exhibits extremely sharp and detailed imagery, no doubt due to the anamorphic widescreen’s increased vertical and horizontal resolution and component video delivery. Colors are vibrant with rich and warm hues, deep, solid blacks and natural fleshtones on both, but appearing more fully saturated on the DVD. Shadow detail is superb with excellent resolution. There is no noise or artifacts for a perfectly rendered visual experience that is sure to please. The LaserDisc, letterbox and anamorphic DVD are framed at 2.35:1.

Soundtrack:
Both the Dolby® Digital 5.1 discrete and PCM matrix soundtracks render an effectively designed sonic experience with a beautifully recorded and sweeping orchestral score that images wide and deep. Sound effects are directional with excellent stereo presence which extends to the discrete surrounds in the Dolby Digital version. Surround envelopment is aggressive and often effectively directional, though mono on the PCM version. Bass extension is deep, to below 25Hz, with effective use of the .1 low frequency effects channel. Dialogue sounds natural with excellent spatial integration for a presence that draws you into the story.

This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality
Superb Music Score Recording Quality
Superb Color Fidelity
Reference Quality