6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A single mom named Gabbie hires a tour guide, a psychic, a priest, and a historian to help exorcise their newly bought mansion; after discovering it is inhabited by ghosts.
Starring: Lakeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVitoFamily | 100% |
Fantasy | 68% |
Comedy | 40% |
Supernatural | 12% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Is it ever a good idea to base a feature film on an amusement park ride? Disney would seem to think it is, considering not just the film currently under discussion, but its predecessors The Haunted Mansion and Muppets Haunted Mansion (still missing on Blu-ray as of the writing of this review), not to mention other "ride adjacent" fare like Jungle Cruise and what is probably the best argument for adapting theme park rides as feature films, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. I'd argue that one reason the Depp films became so popular is not just due to Depp's inimitable characterization of Jack Sparrow, but the mere fact that the film had characters to connect with in some form or fashion, and at least in the early going a fairly straightforward narrative through line that took elements of the ride while expanding on its context. Disney certainly tries to invest its films with that ever evanescent "human" touch, and it does so again with this third at bat for one of Disneyland's most iconic attractions, and while the interactions between a distraught mother, bullied son and grieving paranormal investigator do provide some emotional interest here, though it's evident everything money could buy was thrown at this film, the result is peculiarly listless and even disjointed, as if one were watching some extended alternate universe version episode of Ghosts.
Haunted Mansion is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Captured with Arri cameras and finished at 4K, this is another really appealingly sharp and generally very well detailed looking presentation from Disney. I have long been on record as not liking Arri captures quite as much as some other technologies, but even with some really aggressive grading choices that should be apparent in the screenshots accompanying both this and my 4K UHD review, detail levels are actually surprisingly consistent throughout, especially on practical items like costumes and props. I guess there have been some niggling complaints about the quality of the CGI, but I actually found it contextually fine, even if detail levels are understandably softer and, well, more spectral. Fine detail tends to really pop in isolated well lit moments (the bulk of the film is rather dark and many scenes are supposedly lit only by candles), but even in some of the dimmer material, repeated use of close-ups can help support textures on things like costumes and props. The palette is rather gorgeous throughout in my not so humble opinion, exploiting some really evocative tones that range from sepia browns to lustrous teals and purples, and while I would certainly recommend those with the appropriate equipment opt for Disney's 4K UHD version if they're a fan of the film, this 1080 presentation is often incredibly sumptuous.
Haunted Mansion features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track on this 1080 disc, one which is perfectly excellent and immersive, though Disney makes "scoring" a bit difficult by upping the ante (in more ways than one) with an equally well done Atmos track on its 4K UHD release. Putting aside, then, any "additional" activity in the Atmos version, this DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 offers clear engagement of the side and rear channels even in early establishing sequences, like the "meet cute" between Ben and his soon to be wife. Once the hauntings kick in, there are all sorts of nice effects ranging from Ben's house being flooded, to later activity in the haunted mansion when, for example, the scurrying of the ghosts away from the Hatbox Ghost offers some really nicely rendered panning effects. I have to say I wasn't particularly impressed with Kris Bowers' score, which seems to be trying to channel Danny Elfman, but it certainly is nicely spacious and offers more clear surround activity. Dialogue, including some voiceover, is presented cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional French, English and Spanish subtitles are available.
The law of diminishing returns may have finally set in for at least this particular attraction based adaptation "series", as an evidently rather fulsome budget was met with not so relatively paltry box office returns. There's some good stuff here, but frankly not enough. Home theater aficionados who delight in phantasmagorical imagery and whooshing sound effects may at least get their money's worth, and for anyone considering making a purchase, Haunted Mansion offers secure technical merits and decent supplements.
2023
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2023
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2023
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