I've got the widescreen version of The MASK. It is not anamorphic. The picture quality and sound (5.1) is good though. I have not heard of any forthcoming re-release of this fun movie. The current issue will have to do until then.
what a gyp. i wonder why some non-anamorphic(at least it's not listed as such in any way on the box) 1.85:1 films fill up my screen(16x9) but others do not.
Isn't a sequel due in theaters either later this year or sometime next year? If so, I would fully expect a re-release to tie into either the theatrical release or the sequel's DVD release.
From what I understand, some players read flags for non-anamorphic widescreen and automatically zoom the picture.
I've never had such a player, but they're out there. I think some JVC's may have it and the Panny RP-91 does all sorts of "scaling".
I too was surprised when I got a HDTV to find that The Mask was non-anamorphic; it's the only New Line release I have that isn't, and I don't think it's the oldest. Pretty sure Long Kiss Goodnight is older. That's anamorphic even though it doesn't mention it's enhanced for 16:9 TV's on the box.
The Mask should get the 16:9 treatment in the inevitable re-release. If there will be a new soundtrack, then surely it will get a new transfer. From the looks of the sequel sans Carrey, the re-issue of the original will be the only way the studio makes any money.
NO NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!! it's NOT good. what are some of you on about ? it's awful. geeze, come on! even by 97 standards this one stunk up the room. the region 2 german release is slightly better, but both are dire.
I have the dutch release with anamorphic widescreen and english DTS. And yes, it´s confirmed that there will be a new edition in October this year that´s anamorphic and it has a DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 track. Here is the dutch release:
It's non-anamorphic due to the fact that it was a very early DVD. (Perhaps even 1997.)
My Panny has a 4:3 Zoom option which makes my FPTV "think" that it's anamorphic. In that mode, the transfer looks "pretty good", but you definitely wouldn't confuse it with a true anamorphic transfer.
The provided Dolby Digital 5.1 audio transfer, though, absolutely rocks!. When The Mask starts "bouncing around" he ricochets around all four surround speakers.
It's probably worth the $10.00 or so you would expect to pay for this disc at any Wal-Mart.
Do you try to watch DVD's on a cinema-sized screen? Cast Away, Die Another Day, and Forrest Gump aren't perfect, but are still excellent looking DVD's.