Romancing the Stone (Special Edition) Reviews

• Treasure Hunt...

  
  By A2ZSC81MXLBELX on 2003-08-14
  This review refers to the DVD edition(Twentieth Cent Fox) of "Romancing The Stone"....

  I could not even think of going less than 5 stars on this film. It is one that is as enjoyable the 50th time you watch as it was the first. If it was playing on TV, I could not pass it, without stopping to watch it. So when I saw it at such a great price, I could not pass it up. Here's my only problem with it...I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide what genre to put it with. It has something for everybody. Action-Adventure, Comedy, and Romance. It's a Caper and a Cliffhanger.

  Here's the story for those that may have missed this gem....

  Joan Wilder(Kathleen Turner)is a romance novelist who's hopes and dreams are to be swept off her feet by a man like Jessie, the hero of her adventurous stories. She's about to have her own adventure though, one that includes a man, well... not quite like Jessie,but a hero in his own way, Jack T. Colton(Michael Douglas). He has dreams too. And he's into "short-cuts" to make them come true.

  After coming into possession of a mysterious treasure map, Joan finds herself in the jungles of Columbia. She must use the map to bargain for her kidnapped sister's life. Things are not going smoothly though. All kinds of villains are after the map. Enter Jack to the rescue, but are his intentions to help her or is he also after the treasure at the end of the map?? Find out as things go downhill(literally), they are swinging from vines, fighting off crocodiles, and are all the time being chased by bad cops and bumbling thieves, including the likes of Danny DeVito!

  Good job by Twentieth Century Fox.I was pretty pleased with the DVD. The picture is one of the better non-anamorphic transfers I have seen. It is presented in widescreen(Aspect Ratio 2.35:1), is clear and bright in all scenes, with great color. The sound(DD Surround), including the always wonderful scoring by Alan Silvestri is very good.All the action is sharp and crisp. The only minor thing about it is the dialouge seemed low at times. I would have to turn it up and then during action sequences, turn it back down a bit. This was only on occassion and not a big problem. No special features, but there is a theatrical trailer and it may be viewed in French(also Dolby Surround) and has subtitles in English and Spanish.

  Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it is a wild and romantic ride. Take it.. and then watch the sequel..."Jewel Of The Nile".

  Go for it....and thanks....Laurie.....p.s. It's in my comedy section ...for now!
  
  

• Romancing the Stone

  
  By A1OGPR0AKZ4K7D on 2008-04-06
  Joan Wilder is a highly successful romance novelist that longs for the same kind of adventures she writes for her characters. When she receives a call to deliver a map to Columbia in exchange for her kidnapped sister, she is on the next plane. Upon landing, Joan inadvertently takes the wrong bus, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Others after the same map follow her, and try to take it from her, but Jack saves the day. Although he charges to taking stranded ladies to safety, she follows his lead. This is such a great action adventure movie! One of the best I have ever seen. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas have some great on screen chemistry - in fact they sizzle.
  
  
  

• Fox cheaps out on DVD conversion

  
  By AJHD001RYOZLS on 2001-01-05
  I will not argue about the story,the stars and the production. this is a great all around movie. But it deserved a far better DVD transfer then Fox gave it. They chose to cheap out on a very good soundtrack and pass on a DD 5.1 upgrade, leaving the original (VHS) Dolby 2.0. The film transfer is at times grainy and no better than VHS, in fact we compared it to the tape and found it about the same.The film was transferred to a 2.35 wide screen format. The only "extra" was the original trailer. Fox was certainly after the quick buck on this conversion. We give the film 5 stars for its entertainment value, but 0 for it's DVD technical merits. I guess that makes it a 3 overall. Michael Douglas/Robert Zemekis how could you let Fox do this to your film.
  
  

• Wild, Exciting Adventure

  
  By A1TKYAYESYHIA2 on 2006-03-15
  
  "Romancing the Stone" is a hilarious, romantic and action-packed adventure. This is a classic and timeless 1980s movie, which has stood the test of time, a tribute to the director, Robert Zemeckis and his team. I first saw the film about 20 years ago as a young man but I still thoroughly enjoy it every time I watch it to this day.
  
  Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner play their roles perfectly. Kathleen Turner stars as Joan Wilder, a romance writer from New York who goes to the jungles of Colombia, armed with a mysterious map, to rescue her sister who had been taken hostage by some apparently ruthless villains. Michael Douglas stars as Jack Colton, a rough and jaded soldier of fortune, who comes to the rescue of Joan Wilder when she is lost and stranded in the Colombian jungle. From this, a brilliant and intricate plot is woven into an exciting romantic and adventurous movie which has made "Romancing the Stone" one of the best adventure movies of the late 20th century.
  
  There is also some good humour particularly from Danny DeVito who plays the much abused bumbling kidnapper, Ralph. Romance develops naturally between Joan and Jack while the search for the treasure is being pursued.
  
  This is a well made film with action moving naturally from one predicament to the next with the right amount of humour for a romance and adventure film. The music is excellent and the scenery and setting are exciting.
  
  This hilarious action-packed movie is recommended for anyone interested in adventure, romance, comedy and fun. However, it may not be suitable for children below the age of ten.
  
  
  
  

• Finally Anamorphic

  
  By AAIT7YRGGLXTH on 2006-09-23
  Eventhough the sound is not upgraded (Dolby Surround), the picture is. Now you can watch this extremely entertaining movie in an anamorphic widescreen. It looks nice and crisp on my 16:9 TV. Same thing goes for the sequel "Jewel of the Nile" except for a better audio sound with 4.0 surround. Hopefully Fox will release a new ANAMORPHIC version of "The Abyss" and "The edge". The latest release of "Young Frankenstein" is now available for the fist time ever in anamorphic widescreen. Audio remains MONO though, unfortunately.
  
  
• Lots of fun...
  By A21B2TJBWCSK1R on 2006-09-06
  Out of all of the movies in the 1980s that were influenced by Raiders of the Lost Ark, Romancing the Stone was arguably the best of the bunch (even if it was written before Raiders) because it managed to successfully blend action and adventure with a good dose of humour that resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining experience. It also helped Michael Douglas make the jump from television to A-list movie star and shot Kathleen Turner's career into the mainstream.
  
  Douglas' character has the same kind of roguish charm as Indiana Jones albeit with a bit more of an emphasis on the comedy. And like Han Solo, he's a little full of himself and the humour in the film comes when he's knocked off his smug high horse. Turner is an excellent foil to Douglas and Joan makes a credible transformation from meek wallflower to a much more confident and assertive individual - closer to the heroines in her novels. In addition to being quite funny, Turner is also beautiful and smart. The `80s were good to her with a string of hits that included Body Heat and Prizzi's Honor but it was this film that really established her as a movie star.
  
  Romancing the Stone also helped launch director Robert Zemeckis' career who would go on to direct an even larger hit with Back to the Future. He wisely doesn't try to ape Raiders' retro pulp serial approach, instead going for a more contemporary look while capturing that film's more overt comedic moments with broad slapstick that is a little too silly at times but fortunately Zemeckis keeps them to a minimum. The commercial success of Romancing the Stone spawned an inferior sequel, The Jewel of the Nile but the chemistry between the two leads (and DeVito) was used effectively again in The War of the Roses.
  
  There are eight deleted scenes with more footage of Jack and Joan bonding in the jungle, including a bit with her bathing and them falling asleep together in the crashed plane that they wait out the rain in. We also see Joan back in New York telling her editor to publish her new novel based on her adventures in Colombia.
  
  "Rekindling the Romance: A Look Back" features Douglas, DeVito and Turner returning for new interviews recounting, with fondness, their experiences making the movie. By everyone's account, it was a tough shoot with extreme weather and an unforgiving environment with Turner recalling the numerous injuries she endured. This is a nice look back at the movie.
  
  "A Hidden Treasure: The Screenwriter" profiles the movie's screenwriter, Diane Thomas. Douglas was taken with the blend of action, comedy and romance. Thomas tragically died in a car accident. This extra is a nice, little tribute to her.
  
  "Douglas, Turner and DeVito: Favorite Scenes." The three leads pick the scenes that they like the most and they aren't necessarily the ones you'd think (no, not the famous mudslide scene - thankfully).
  
  "Michael Douglas Remembers." The actor talks about the tough time he had making the transition from T.V. to the big screen as an actor. He was a successful producer but it took Romancing the Stone to show that he was a bankable movie star.
  
  
• Staggeringly great transfer and sound mix on the 2006 DVD
  By ACLNARTC3NVJC on 2006-09-06
  Wow! This beautiful transfer more than makes up for the cruddy 1999 release, which sported flat sound and more grain and mud in the image than could be found during rainy season in Columbia. Both the color correction and level of detail will pleasefans of this 1984 action comedy classic. I saw this film in 70mm in Westwood, CA during its initial run and always remember it as looking and sounding amazing.
  
  Producer Michael Douglas and Director Bob Zemeckis did a fantastic job on first-time screenwriter Diane Thomas' tale of a romance novelist who blossoms when is taken out of her Manhattan existence to rescue her sister in Cartegena, Columbia. A lot of credit should go to composer Alan Silvestri whose score for this fish-out-of-water tale meshed beautifully with Zemeckis' imagery.
  
  I always thought it was a shame that Douglas and Turner didn't make this series a trilogy. The chemistry between them is what good movies are all about. But apparently the 1985 sequel, "Jewel of the Nile," which had good moments, but a flat script, killed it.
  
  Sure, maybe there could have been a few more extras on the DVD. But when a movie is this strong, who cares?
  
  
• Pure Adventure Fun On The Highest Level!
  By A1X6M6IINHDSRC on 2006-09-08
  In 1984, when this movie was releashed, movie lovers were in the grip of Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was releashed in that same year, the second instalment in the Indiana series), and so this movie was labeld an Indiana Jones clone.
  So lets get one thing straight: Romancing the stone is no clone of Indiana Jones.
  
  Romancing the Stone is one of the finest adventure movies out there today. It is fun, exciting and ritmic on it's own way and has captured the hearts of movielovers all over the world.
  Michael Douglas plays a man called Jack T. Colten, a guy who is a bit down on his luck and travels around the world. When he meets romantic novelist Joan Wilder (played with lots of fun by Kathleen Turner) in the Columbian jungle, the adventure begins! Being chased by a lot of badguys (including Danny Devito in a hilarious role), the two have a lot of thrills and of course adventure!
  
  The atmosphere in the film is absolutely fantastic and feels great. The movie lifts you up to a level of high enjoyment and shameless fun. Also the music in the film, composed by Alan Silvestri gives the movie much more depth and even more fun! So with stunning action scenes, great humor and a lot of delighted surprises, this movie is a great acquisition in your dvd collection!
  
  The recently releashed special edition of the film has nice extras. Nice features about making the film (a feature of 20 minutes, and three others of all 3 minutes) and a bunch of fun deleted scenes (18 minutes).
  
  So what are you waiting for adventure lover? Go and Romance that stone with all those other lovers around the world!
  
  
• 5 Stars for the Movie, 2 for the DVD
  By A3I9QB1QHP0FNB on 2005-09-10
  As a family, we love watching this movie, and each of us like it for a different reason. My husband is a big fan of Danny DeVito, and just loves all the blustering he does at his brother Ira. I love the romance of it; Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas have visual sparks flying between them and they are a joy to watch. The kids love the adventure and the action, and as they get older, they too love the romance. It's not really for younger kids (under 10) but for tweens, teens and older, it's a gem. It is set in the 1980s so there is a slight issue with the aging of the film, but the directors were fairly careful to avoid obvious fads; Kathleen Turner's clothes are classic rather than trendy so this film stands the test of time better than many others of the 80s. However. Why in the world aren't there any extras (to speak of?) How about a commentary? Interviews? A making of featurette? Anything...throw us a bone. This is such a well loved movie by many people...surely it deserves a special edition!! This DVD is just bare bones. It's been more than 20 years...how about for the 25th anniversary (or sooner?) Please, Fox studios??
  
  
• A fair to decent transfer of a fun, exciting film
  By on 1999-05-29
  I saw this movie about four times when it first came out and was always struck by the high quality of the film. This transfer could only be rated fair to good, and seems to produce some video noise in areas where there are a lot of straight ines rather than sharp crisp ones. It looks like Fox just rolled it over quickly to DVD with no care, especially since there are no extras beyond a trailer that is clearly fourth or fifth generation and totally washed out. Sad, since this was a big hit when it came out and a lot of people will be looking forward to it. They also list it at a high price, which should mandate some type of extras. Maybe not so oddly, some of the poorest DVD transfers I've seen come from major studios, while one of the best (Blade) is from New Line.
  
  
• Mis-treated Gem
  By on 2002-07-05
  Romancing The Stone is one of the best romantic comedies to come out of the 80's. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are perfect in the lead roles of novelist Joan Wilder and adventurer Jack T. (trustworty) Coleton.

  The story takes us from the streets of New York to the jungles of South America ... The trip is anything but smooth, but the laughs are plenty as Danny DeVito playing the much abused kidnapper keeps thing stirred.

  The DVD looks really good, however there's missing sub-titling...

  Also, this film should have been given more extras. I'm sure that there was some footage left for a gag reel, especially with Danny DeVito and a commentary would have been nice too. Maybe Fox will see the error of it's ways and do a special edition of a sleeper hit that has retained all it's lustre.
  
  

• A classic
  By on 2003-01-08
  This movie is a classic! Early Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner with a great story: comedy, suspense, action, even a little romance, but low-key, even the kiddies will love it!! I can't recommend it enough. It would make a great gift for anyone - even grandma would enjoy it!!
  
  
• Great movie!
  By A3NTDIA6AVE8AV on 2005-01-03
  Joan Wilder, romance novelist, is on her way to Columbia after obligating herself to free her hostage sister at the price of a Columbian treasure map. After arriving in Columbia and taking the wrong bus, which then crashes and whose passengers leave without her, Joan finds herself lost and at the mercy of a man who wants her dead. Rescused by Jack Colton, a rough and jaded man working for his lifelong dream, Joan offers all she has in exchange for his help. After many rip-roaring adventures through Columbian countryside and city -- chasing after expensive stones, dodging private armies, and searching for Joan's sister -- Joan finds herself falling in love with Jack, only to find that in the end his "charm" might have been all a romantic trick of Jack's scheming in order to get the treasure for himself...
  
  Pros:
  - The main characters are really believable. Their personalities are realistic and they develop throughout the film. Joan is a girl who has only ventured to dangerous missions via her novels and is forced to learn how to adapt to new changes. Luckily, she invokes a wit she once reserved only for her writing and pulls through very nicely. Jack is a fairly greedy, raw, and jaded man without much respect for anyone. Somewhat caustic but somehow charming, Jack learns how to share his dream with Joan, a somewhat kindred spirit.
  - Joan is a great female lead. She has her share of the action, she's intelligent, and she's brave despite her lack of experience.
  - The humor is well-done -- the movie is more action / adventure-based than humor, but there are some hilarious scenes woven in that have me laughing everytime I watch the movie.
  
  Cons:
  - The romance happens a little too quickly. I understand that it has to happen or else -- wow, no movie -- but it was a little patchy / iffy and the development was way too fast. I would have rather had a longer movie or the same movie divided into two longer halves.
  - Some of the scenes are a little predictable, but even then I'd say they're pretty good.
  
  Overall Review: The movie starts off in a sequence of one of Joan's books, instantly giving the watcher a view on Joan's character without boring explanations or drawn-out cuts. From that the movie switches into several more scenes during which one gets to know Joan, her life, and her work before seamlessly fading into the action. Once Joan introduces herself to Columbia and her ineptness at meshing into the culture there -- even for the excuse of finding her sister -- Joan continues to be her headstrong self and convinces Jack to help her, despite the sacrifice she makes. Bound and determined, Joan makes her way across Columbia all the while executing fun -- somewhat predictable -- action and learning how to trust Jack despite her fear of being abandoned.
  
  The action isn't quite as riveting and epic as, say, Indiana Jones, but then again the characters are well done and one of my favorite points of this movie is that the hero is a fairly average and very clever female rather than the typical witty, godlike male hero. The characters are easy to connect with, the plot -- albeit fairly simple -- is fun and easy to grasp. I laughed more than once, "awwed" more than once, and watched more than once. This movie is definitely worth buying.
  
  Re-watchable?: Yes!
  
  
• If this isn't a five star film, I don't know what is.
  By A24F1UX8ZT5IXY on 2005-06-26
  One of the best films of the 80s, and an all-time high for Zemeckis. I saw this film when I was ten years old, against my wishes. My mother thought it looked like fun -- she was just turning 40 at the time and recently divorced. We went together on a Friday night and had an absolute blast! I still remember this many years later, and the film has lost none of its magic. It is a beautiful, realistic romance, and totally hilarious. You have to look back a long way in Hollywood to find a film this good. A+
  
  
• Douglas and Turner in fun adventure movie - a classic
  By A1HX00DL0SZM1G on 2006-05-12
  UPDATE July 7. 2006 - In August 2006 Fox will be releasing a special edition DVD of this title along with a special edition of its sequel THE JEWEL OF THE NILE.
  When this movie was released in 1984 it was unfairly criticized by some reviewers as being another one in a long line of "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK rip-offs. But, as director of the movie Robert Zemeckis (who would go on to direct the BACK TO THE FUTURE movies) said in interviews at the time, the script for this movie had been making its way around Hollywood long before Indiana Jones had cracked a whip.
  Despite some well-publicized goofs this movie succeeds in what it sets out to be, an entertaining and exciting adventure picture.
  In a role that was first offered to Sylvester Stallone and then to Christopher Reeve, Michael Douglas (who was beginning to look more and more like his father Kirk) plays Jack T. Colton. Colton is an adventurer who comes to the aid of romance novelist Joan Wilder (played by Kathleen Turner in the movie that really cemented her as a celebrity).
  Seems Wilders sister sent her a map to a fabulous gem in Colombia and now her sister (Elaine) is being held by some thugs, including the rather loveable small-time crook Ralph (played by Danny DeVito, who was best known at that time from the television show "Taxi"). So, Joan travels down to South America in an effort to deliver the map, but is misdirected onto the wrong bus by a rather fearsome looking police officer named Zolo (played with obvious evil relish by Manuel Ojedo) who earlier trashed her New York apartment in search of the map. When Zolo tries to take the map from her forcibly Colton arrives on the scene just in time and the two team up in an effort to get to Cartagena with Ralph, Zolo and (what seems like) half the Colombian army in hot pursuit.
  DeVito is present in large part for comic relief and this movie does feature some truly funny moments, yet the comedy is never too obtrusive to ruin the action and the movie really does deliver some great action set pieces. Chief among these is a chase through a Colombian village (with a local drug lord as a guide) and Colton and Wilder traveling down the rapids in what is quite obviously an inflatable car). Douglas and Turner are both great in their respective roles and in fact would revisit the two characters in the rather-inferior sequel JEWEL OF THE NILE (along with DeVito), and the romance between the two appears genuine and does not slow down the movie's pace.
  The score for the movie was composed by Alan Silvestri who does a great job, In fact Zemeckis had brought him on board to write a temporary score for the movie, but liked his work so much that he was hired full-time. Also, listen to the background music as Jack and Joan enter Juan's rather plush villa. It's the song "Romancing the Stone" by Eddy Grant. Grant had been retained by the filmmakers to write the song for the movie, but when he delivered it, they decided not to use it. In fact the song does not even appear on the soundtrack, but was released separately by Grant when the movie became a mega-hit.
  The movie manages to successfully combine a number of elements in a tricky balancing act and the movie is also benefited by some really nice art direction by Agustin Ituarte and set design by Enrique Estevez. The movie certainly stands up well to repeated viewings.
  Top marks go to Fox for the quality of this DVD. Although it is non-anamorphic, the picture is clear and colorful and the sound is sharp. The only area where the DVD is found lacking is in the lack of special features with only the theatrical trailer added. Hopefully Fox will correct this oversight in a future rerelease.
  For those hoping for more of the same in the sequel you might be disappointed. Even with a great title song by Billy Ocean (the video of which featured Douglas, Turner and DeVito) the movie failed to cap[ture the spirit of this movie. It's certainly worth checking out but when it's all said and done this is the film you will remember and return to again and again.
  
  
• Romancing the Stone - Blu-ray Info
  By AHABFECTNE15I on 2008-10-18
  Version: U.S.A / Region A
  Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
  MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / High Profile 4.1
  Running time: 1:45:46
  Movie size: 32,51 GB
  Disc size: 40,16 GB
  Average video bit rate: 34.60 Mbps
  
  DTS-HD Master Audio English 3431 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 3431kbps (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 1536kbps)
  Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 224kbps
  Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 224kbps
  Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 224kbps
  
  Subtitles: English SDH / Chinese / French / Korean / Spanish
  Number of chapters: 24
  
  #Rekindling the Romance: A Look Back (SD - 20 minutes)
  #Additional Featurettes (SD - 9 minutes)
  #Deleted Scenes (HD - 19 minutes)
  
  
• DVD is a fine re-issue of this classic.
  By A2U3PRSRQEJQZ5 on 2001-08-21
  Some have said the transfer to the DVD format is not particularly good. To that I disagree. I just played my new copy yesterday and the picture is very sharp and colors are very accurate. Naturally, the sound suffers in comparison to modern digital 5-channel surround tracks, but overall it is very good. Very good, not superb, and that is why I give this DVD 4 stars. The entire movie itself is a classic and hard to beat for its genre.
  
  
• Fun action movie
  By on 2001-08-22
  Although the movie was actually filmed in Mexico, you would never guess that it wasn't Colombia. They must have filmed during the rainy season. The action and adventure can't be beat. The plot is fairly shallow, but that's what keeps the movie fun. Sometimes a simple plot lets you just enjoy the ride, and that's what Romancing the Stone is all about. As much a comedy as an action film, Micheal Douglas is perfectly cast as a mercenary profiteer who recues damsel in distress Kathleen Turner for a price, starting the conflict between greed and romance. If you haven't seen this film, go rent it and watch it.
  
  
• What Was I Thinking?
  By A3673NBQVA4J2M on 2006-05-11
  I have a confession to make here with this movie. When I first reviewed it I was swayed by peer pressure. I was 18, and pretty much still a teenager, so to fit in with my peers I said this movie was good when in my heart I knew it was a piece of garbage. I found the plot to be too hard to follow even if I wanted to do so, and the non-stop fast and furious cursing I began to wonder if this was for the actors/actresses to turn each other on, or not. The movie just doesn't lay well with me, and I know it probably will never. I'm just telling you all this now because I'm almost 39, and I want to have my mind and conscious clear before the Lord. I said this was a good movie to impress people, and they haven't even stayed in touch with me, and I haven't stayed in touch with them, so now's the time to start thinking for myself, and I feel that this is a trash movie.
  
  
• It Is Indeed Only A Heart Made Of "STONE"...
  By A3I2E820C9T4YA on 2006-08-30
  ...that doesn't melt at that ending, one of the most wonderful and unconventional "rides off into the sunset" ever featured in a movie of this genre, (and yes, guys, that goes for you, too. ADMIT IT!) By the time Alan Silvestri's salsa-flavored end theme hits its apex, you feel like dancing out of the theater, (uhh, I mean dancing to the FRIDGE) on a bed of cheesy but romantic clouds.
  
  And what makes ROMANCING THE STONE such a five-star worthy wonder is the story that precedes that blissful ending.
  
  Neither fish nor fowl, this is a movie that tries to be something for everyone and by all rights shouldn't work because of it. But DAMN if it doesn't succeed, and beautifully.
  
  An affectionate and at times tart salute to and spoof of the great romantic adventures of the genre (especially those featuring a certain Dr. Jones), ROMANCING doesn't miss a beat as it throws us headlong into the wildly romantic fantasy world of best-selling novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner fulfilling the promise she displayed in BODY HEAT), whose rich dreamscapes of virile heroes, damsels-in-distress and vicious bad guys are as bountiful with adventure and romance as her real life is bereft of it.
  
  Ah, but not for long!!! A terrified phone call from her globe-trotting sister and a mysterious package in the mail sets Joan on a course for adventure that you definitely wouldn't get on "The Love Boat."
  
  Traveling South Of the Border to follow the course of the map she finds in the package and to locate her sister, a near-brush with several catastrophes brings her right into the sphere of one Jack Colton (Michael Douglas at his most appealingly rakish), a 'professional adventurer' who's willing to help out any accomodating "Pauline-in-peril"...at a price, of course.
  
  Together, willingly or not, these two protagonists right out of one of Joan's own novels will swing across chasms, dodge bullets, race across valleys and fight off the vilest of villains to find two treasures beyond imagination - the one they were looking for, and one that neither of them counted on finding...each other!
  
  I know...stop GAGGING! This isn't your average cloyingly sweet Barbara Cartland potboiler. Besides the remarkable performances of Douglas as a hero who's not as capable or dashing as he thinks he is, and Turner as a heroine with reserves of strength and resourcefulness she never dreamed she possessed, there's also the hysterical supporting role played by Danny DeVito, whose gadfly of a bad guy, Ralph, keeps the scenario from melting into a pool of icky sweetness whenever it threatens to, and Zach Norman as Ralph's croc-fixated cousin Ira, whose bumbling attempts at being nefarious only get them deeper into trouble than either one of them can handle.
  
  Also noteworthy are the cameos by acclaimed director Alfonso Arau as Juan, an unexpected ally of Joan and Jack's (he's a rabid fan of her novels) and Manuel Ojeda who oozes evil as General Zolo, the guy who shows neophytes Ralph and Ira how it's REALLY done.
  
  And how could we not mention the terrific Holland Taylor as Joan's editor and Mary Ellen Trainor as Elaine, Joan's hapless sister, whose kidnapping sets the whole plot in motion?
  
  With the startlingly confident job that Zemeckis does directing from Diane Thomas's rarer-than-rare great script, it's not even surprising that the very next film he would direct would launch one of the most successful action-adventure franchises ever: BACK TO THE FUTURE.
  
  ROMANCING THE STONE is one of those movies that has to be a part of any well-stocked DVD library, no question about it.
  
  And I dare you to resist turning up the volume on the sound system as the credits roll...
  
  
  
• Recipe for a classic
  By A151V73MALL424 on 2008-02-09
  In my opinion, there are certain modern films I'd call "classic" Romancing the Stone is one of these. With lines that are still quotable, "My minumum price for taking a stranded woman to a telephone is $500", heroines that are still as beautiful, (Joan Wilder) heroes that are still as hopelessly over-confident, (Jack T Colton) and bad guys that are still crazily mis-directed (Ira and Ralph) over 20 years hasn't taken away the appeal of this great simple adventure film. Great setting, humor, action, vehicles and ending make this movie worth re-watching again and again. If you like searching for treasure, fighting the bad guys, saving the girl and sailing into the horizon on your dream boat than this ones for you. Not too violent, sexual or profane...but maybe just enough this movie also has balance that you dont often see in movies now that go either too sexual, too violent, or have so much swearing you dont even care what happens in the movie. Worth every penny.
  
  
• Extras needed please.
  By on 1999-10-28
  These movies need extras(interviews,TV spots,soundtrack,documentary etc.)otherwise I may as well just rent the video.
  
  
• A DVD review
  By A12A8LU93A132U on 2000-10-04
  A great romantic/comedy/adventure movie. A bit disappointed that this DVD only has a trailer. Interestingly, the English subtitles sometimes translate the spoken Spanish into English and sometimes give the Spanish in Spanish subtitles. The non-subtitled version doesn't give subtitles at all for any of the spoken Spanish. A must have in my collection.
  
  
• My all-time favorite movie!
  By A2EBQOLDKN8KVI on 2002-04-22
  "Romancing The Stone" is one of my all-time favorite adventure films. Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito did a fantastic job for acting in this movie. It's packed with action, adventure, and romance! If you haven't seen "Romancing The Stone", rent or buy this film on video or DVD. You won't be disappointed at all.
  
  
• Movie and DVD Review.
  By A3EF1DJCXMCL2B on 2002-10-22
  "Romancing The Stone" is a fantastic movie that is hilarious, romantic, and action-packed. Kathleen Turner stars as Joan Wilder, a romantic novelist who travels to Colombia to find her kidnapped sister, but met and fell in love with Jack Colton, a fortune seeker played wonderfully by Michael Douglas. Danny DeVito is amusing in his supporting role as Ralph, one of the villians from the movie. The picture and sound quality from the DVD are very good, however, there are no extras except for the trailer. I hope that someone will re-release it on the Special Edition or maybe the Ultimate Edition with a lot of features including the commentary, the featurette, the documentary, the deleted scenes, and the photographs. But anyway, it's a fantastic movie. Followed by a great sequel.
  
  
• "Ahhh! God D*** it, the Doobie Brothers broke up!"
  By on 2003-08-02
  It's a DVD keeper. I'm glad that I purchased this movie.There's not to many movies you can watch over and over,but this one holds a spot in my DVD collection.Romancing the Stone & Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom make a great double feature!

  Kevin
  
  

• A Movie that Hino Senshi Just Can't Forget!!!!
  By on 2005-11-05
  i taped this movie on FX the other day (without my parent's permission:they think it's a bad film!)and had mixed feelings about it from the start. But by the end of the movie I was totally in LOVE with it. For a 17-year -old girl like me, it was a wild, exciting adventure, with a grat deal of romance and comedy thrown in. Kathleen Turner's character was really strong, not what I expected; and Micheal Douglas is a much cuter actor than his crotchity dad.HEE HEE HEE! Danny DeVito got on my nerves alittle bit, and the film was "edited for telivision", but those are the only downsides to this fun '80s movie! Not for the under 13 crowd but I would recommend "Romancing the Stone" to anyone. You can't miss it! Take it from me, Hino Senshi!
  
  
• One of the best movies :-)
  By A8JPM14R8T4AT on 2007-11-20
  Remembering watching this movie growing-up in the 80's, I decided it needed to be a part of the household collection. A classic not to be missed, one of me and my moms favorite movies, this movie appeals to men and women alike.
  
  
• A Romantic Adventure in Columbia
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2008-05-24
  Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is a famous romance novelist. A hopeless romantic, she is still single. She lives in New York City and is used to city life.
  
  All that changes when her sister is kidnapped down in Columbia. She quickly takes off to ransom her, bringing the treasure map that the kidnappers demand. But when she gets on the wrong bus, she is stranded and meets up with Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas), an American. Unfortunately, she is being followed by several goons. Can Jack keep her safe? Will Joan ever find true love? Who will get the treasure? And will Joan's sister be rescued?
  
  This movie is obviously 80's fluff with plenty of cheese, and some of the effects show their age. But it is plenty of fun. After a slow start, the film quickly picks up speed and become quite addicting. There are several great action sequences. But there are also plenty of laughs between the one liners and the bumbling bad guy played by Danny DeVito. I felt the romance was rather forced most of the time, but by the end I bought into it.
  
  The film is rated PG, but that is only because PG-13 hadn't been invented yet. The film is filled with bad language, mostly the "S" word, and there's plenty of violence to go around as well.
  
  Mostly, this is a fun though dated adventure romance. It should please just about everyone who can enjoy the 80's feel.
  
  
• Neither Good Nor Bad
  By A6MBZMLJL6WYB on 2000-07-17
  ROMANCING THE STONE could be seen as the poor man's Indiana Jones movie. It's short on snappy dialogue, coherent plot and memorable characters.

  Essentially this is a vehicle for Douglas as rough and ready Jack Colton, and Turner to show her versatility as Joan Wilder, the novelist who sheds her loner image and eventually becomes a heroine. Danny DeVito crops up as a slimy rival to the duo's quest, but his part is overplayed and underwritten.

  The story as it is revolves around Wilder going to Columbia to rescue her kidnapped sister. This leads her into a journey of adventure to recover a fabled jewel with adventurer Colton. An almost sinister kidnapping becomes a farcical adventure comedy: I found the switching in tone of this movie at times confusing, and at other times far too blunt.

  Whilst ROMANCING THE STONE is not a movie that will leave any lasting impression on you, it is passable as entertainment - saved as it is by the one thing that causes it so many problems: the reliance on the Turner-Douglas on-screen relationship to carry it through.
  
  

• The Jewel of the Nile (Special Edition)
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Single Disc)
• Poltergeist (25th Anniversary Edition)
• Incredible Hulk (Widescreen Edition)
• Crocodile Dundee