After the humongous critical and commercial successof Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the BlackPearl, there were high expectations for the nextride-based Disney movie, The HauntedMansion. Like its predecessor, it was takenfrom a popular New Orleans Square attraction, yetoffered a somewhat more family-friendly experience. Though it disappointed critics and audiences at large,the movie is not as bad as word of mouth might imply. Eddie Murphy plays Jim Evers, a real estatesalesman who always seems to let work get in the wayof spending time with his family. Just anotherexample of this is when Jim takes a quick businessside trip to the Gracey Manner on the way to avacation. After making acquaintance with the spookyplaces inhabitants, the Evers realize they werebrought to the mansion for a reason quite differentthan real estate. To save his wife, Jim teams up withhis kids to brave the grim, grinning ghosts that comeout to socialize. In the vein of the 1960s Disney comedies (I canalmost picture Dean Jones in Murphys role),Mansion adheres strictly to a family fareformula, and its characters and messages/morals canget a little too typical and contrived at times. Despite the uninspired script, the actors andactresses all do well with their parts. Aside fromhumorous references to the ride (which only thosefamiliar with it will get), the jokes and gags areamusing, offering a few fun thrills.
Yet, there are a few highlights of the film which make itreally enjoyable. Starting off with a bang, the movieboasts an inventive opening titles sequence that liststhe cast while telling back story. The set design isbreathtaking and atmospheric, to the point where Ifelt like I was inside the mansion myself, exploringit with the Evers. Terence Stamp simply steals scenes with hisperformance as the spooky butler. In myopinion, he is to this movie what Johnny Depp was toPirates. As a whole, however, I cant picture a greatmajority of the films audience readily enjoying it. Despite its somewhat insipid nature, fans of theattraction or ghost stories should find itentertaining, as I did. If youre neither of those, Idoubt youll find much in this film to love, but Istill recommend at least one viewing. Arriving on a single-disc DVD package, TheHaunted Mansion comes in a standard black amaraykeepcase, with a cover that looks like a really badPhotoshop job. Held alongside the one-sided disc is a4-page insert, with chapter listing & bonus materialhighlights, an entry for a Tower of Terrorsweepstakes, and a coupon booklet for other DisneyDVDs.
VIDEO and AUDIO The movie is available on DVD in separatePan-and-Scan (Oh, eeew! Jim Evers as he opens anold coffin) and Widescreen versions. On theWidescreen version, the film is presented in itsoriginal aspect ratio of approximately 2.35:1,enhanced for 16x9 televisions. This is a very finetransfer, appropriately reproducing both the richtones and the gloomy tones of the films murkyenvironment. Detail looked good, except for a fewscenes that seemed a little too soft. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is just as good. For thefirst half of the film or so, it is largely dialoguebased. For these parts, the sound was pedestrian, butaccurate. However, towards the end of the film, theaudio really struts it stuff, displaying great rangeand use of the subwoofer. Where adequate, surroundsound was used effectively.
BONUS MATERIALS Despite the outside packaging only acknowledging asingle audio commentary, there are in fact two on thisdisc. The first includes producer Don Hahn, visualeffects supervisor Jay Redd & writer David Berenbaum,and the second features director Rob Minkoff & costumedesigner Mona May. All the participants are livelyand fun, while both tracks carry a significant amountof information on the production as a whole. Each hastheir own unique information too. The first trackgives attention to matters relating to the script,while the second dwells on the costumes. Commentaryfans should find them worthwhile. The Haunted Mansion: Secrets Revealed(12:35) is a fragmented mini-documentary that feelslike a bunch of separate featurettes crammed into one. Making appearances are Don Hahn, Rob Minkoff, MonaMay, Jay Redd, production designer Rob Myhre, make-upeffects wizard Rick Baker, visual effects producerLynda Thomspon, and actors Eddie Murphy and JenniferTilly. Starting off with the cast & crews praise forthe original Disneyland attraction, the piece thenspends time on an overview of make up, costumes, setdesign, and visual effects.
More in-depth than the previous featurette isAnatomy of a Scene: Ghosts in the Graveyard (11:05). Back again are Rob Minkoff, Jay Redd, Lynda Thompson,Mona May, Rick Baker, second unit director ThorFreudenthal (no, he is not the comic-book hero thatsmashes enemies with a mighty hammer), second unitliaison Lolly Howe, steady cam operator Kirk Gardner,and lighting technician John Priebe. All discuss themany layers it takes to bring one complicated scene tolife, from actual sets, to actors against bluescreen,costumes, and matt paintings. I found this to be themost interesting bonus on the disc. With a name that sounds like Disney has turned itsvirtual games into a continuous franchise, DisneysVirtual DVD Ride: The Haunted Mansion is lessinteractive than the ones that have come before it. Two ghost characters from the film escort you throughdifferent areas of the mansion and its graveyard. Most of it is footage of the actual sets, and the onlychoice the player makes is which order to visit thevarious areas. This made it less fun than what waspossible, and somewhat cheap, but its nice to get abetter look at the sets anyway.
Deleted Scene: Emma and Ezra (2:20) makes anappearance with no reason given for it having beencut. Instead of an entire deleted scene, it is anextension of a sequence already in the film, in whichthe Evers children meet two ghosts in the attic anddiscover a plot to capture their mother. A few dull features round out the roster of extras. Outtakes Reel (5:22) is made up entirely of actorsflubbing on their lines, and does not particularly induce laughs. Superstition Music Video (3:12) features Raven (on aDisney DVD for 45th time this year, is that right?),performing a hip-hop remake of Stevie Wonders classictune. Its kind of fitting Stevie is blind, andRaven is blind to her own lack of talent. (Ohhhhh,snap!)
DVD-ROM Enhanced Computer Features offer someother worthwhile bonuses. Similar to the programfound on the Pirates DVD, Morphing Ghost HostMaker allows the user to transform a picture of hisor herself into something more ghoulish. The Historyof the Haunted Mansion Attraction (12:00) dwells onthe ride, while an Image Gallery houses concept artand production photos. Haunt the Mansion Ride is anenhanced version of the DVD Ride on the disc, withmore interactivity. In addition to wallpapers,screensavers, and icons, there are printableactivities for kids like coloring pages that are anice touch. Skippable trailers play before the menu loads forthe DVD releases of Aladdin: Special Edition &Ghosts of the Abyss, and the theatrical releaseof Pixars The Incredibles. These can be foundunder the Sneak Peeks menu, next to more trailersfor the theatrical release of Ella Enchanted,The Haunted Mansion video game, the Witchbook series, ABCs My Wife and Kids, and TheTwilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disneys CaliforniaAdventure theme park. Also, within the Set Up menu,a THX Optimizer lets one calibrate the audio and videoof his or her home theater system specifically forthis title.
CLOSING THOUGHTS The Haunted Mansion is a movie some willfind entertaining, while its formulaic plot &characters may disappoint others. The DVD release isunspectacular and it seems like it was planned as a two-disc set,but was pared down to one. However, thispackage is definitely solid, with spot-on filmpresentation and some interesting extras. Recommendedfor those who liked the movie. |
