6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A horror movie star returns to his famous role after years in a mental institution. But the character seems to be committing murders independent of his will.
Starring: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, Adrienne Corri, Natasha PyneHorror | 100% |
Mystery | 3% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Although it isn’t a comedy, 1974’s “Madhouse” does show surprising life as a satire of film industry cruelty and genre expectation, employing stars Vincent Price and Peter Cushing to play around with their legacies in horror entertainment. Perhaps a more skilled take on insanity and insecurity was meant for “Madhouse,” with the picture coming up short in terms of dramatic potential and chills. However, for those in the mood to watch icons interact with their professional past, the feature is satisfying and well performed.
Gothic horror touches and period hues generally help the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Brightly shot and simply composed, "Madhouse" is easy to explore, with encouraging detail that secures the aged, weathered faces of the stars, with their close-ups textured and costumes fibrous. Set decoration is open for study as well, delivering on haunted house particulars. Colors are stable and direct, delivering hearty reds, while blacks are deep, preserving delineation. Grain is mostly filmic. There are a few pronounced scratches during the viewing experience, and speckling is detected.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is very simple in design, primarily concerned with the preservation of dialogue exchanges, which sound loud and true, only showing mild signs of age with a few crispy outbursts. Scoring is adequate, with passable instrumentation and purpose when moments of suspense arrive. Atmospherics are satisfying, delivering on horror encounters and creepy castle investigation, while broader acts of violence are detailed. Of concern here is a slight sync issue that pops up periodically, most notably in the opening of the picture. This could be a player-related issue, but "Madhouse" was tested on two systems, and both displayed the same delay.
9/17/15: The disc has been corrected and reissued, clearing up all sync issues. Security sticker now reads MADHOUSE (REDUX).
Heads do roll in "Madhouse," which is eager to dish out punishment and death, building a mystery of sorts that doesn't share any particular urgency. The feature is stronger with contemplation and gothic atmosphere, allowing Price and Cushing to carry the viewing experience with skill and style, while ribbing previous professional achievements.
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