Story Synopsis:
In Suicide Kings, a group of young men drug and take hostage semi-retired New York crime boss Carlo Bartolucci (Christopher Walken) hoping to exchange him for Lisa Chasten (Laura Harris), the kidnapped sister of Avery Chasten (Henry Thomas). To frighten Carlo, the boys cut off one of his fingers and promise to follow with more mutilations if their demands are not met. Carlo attempts to assist the boys, but at the same time, manipulates his captors in hopes of turning them against one another.

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced DVD, when viewed through the component video output and compared to the LaserDisc, exhibits increased vertical and horizontal resolution for improved sharpness and clarity. While colors appear slightly oversaturated on the LaserDisc by direct comparison, fidelity is better balanced on the DVD with truer fleshtones, richer colors and deep, solid blacks. Images are much softer on the LaserDisc, often appearing plugged-up. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered. Minor inconsistencies are apparent throughout both versions, as well as minor noise and artifacts apparent. The LaserDisc, and anamorphic and letterbox DVD aspect ratios are 1.85:1.

Soundtrack:
The DVD Dolby® Digital 5.1 soundtrack sounds slightly muffled when compared to the LaserDisc matrix PCM soundtrack, especially the dialogue track. Sometimes split surrounds are prominent on the discrete. Bass extension is deeper and more powerful on the matrix PCM version, even when limited .1 LFE enhancement is engaged. Clarity is overall inconsistent on both mediocre soundtracks.