HAUNTED
CASTLE
Slingshot Entertainment
132 mins. · Rated: nr · Fullframe
Audio: E - DD 5.1 / E - DTS
Subtitles: None
Extras: Commentary Track, Featurette, Trailers, Photo Gallery, EPK
3D movies come in all forms and shapes and the quality of the 3D illusion
is just as varied. Some of the better technologies involve polarizing
glasses. Unlike the red-blue glasses they dont discolor the image
and at the same time manage to create an image the has the true feel of
3-dimensional depth. That however comes at a price, as polarizing glasses
run from $100 upwards.
With Haunted Castle, Slingshot Entertainment is now sending
one of a series of 3D titles into the race, all of which had originally
been running in IMAX theaters. The experience has been transferred to
the TV screen now for these DVD releases and we had the chance to give
it a first look.
Haunted Castle is an entirely computer rendered film running about
35 minutes. The image seems to come directly from a digital master and
no defects or blemishes of any sort are evident. The movie can be viewed
in either a traditional 2D version without 3D effects, or as a 3D presentation
that requires polarizing glasses to enjoy the effect. It turned out to
be a bit tricky to get the effect to work successfully, as the technology
is fairly finicky. First we had to make sure not to run the disc in a
TV anamorphic mode because it distorts the pixel aspect ratio, which destroys
the effect. Next we had to turn off all line-doublers, because the 3-dimensional
effect is created by feeding two frames of a TV image to the eyes separately
this is where the glasses come in. Line doublers destroy the illusion
because they mingle two or more frames from the video stream.
Once everything is adjusted correctly, the effect works quite well, although
the technical limitations are still quite evident. Nonetheless, it is
a cool experience and the film Haunted Castle does a great
job, creating some breathtaking 3D effects as the camera sweeps over shrouded
hills and along dark castle walls, always pointing downwards and creating
a deep effect of foreshortening. But also more subtle image elements work
quite well as nightmarish creatures approach you and tress come crashing
down in front of you, seemingly almost crushing you.
The DVD contains audio tracks in 5.1 channel Dolby Digital and DTS, both
of which are good. Being entirely post-produced with Foley effects and
voice-overs, one shouldnt expect too much, but the track does a
great job helping to immerse the viewer in the 3 dimensions he seems to
see on the screen, as sound effects aggressively race through the surround
channels. The frequency response and dynamic range are good, making for
an engaging experience.
As bonus features, the DVD contain a commentary track by director Ben
Stasson which offers some insight into the production of the film, elaborating
on the 3D technology, the inherent problems and computer imagery in general,
but is a bit dry at times in his delivery. A 7-minute Making Of
featurette gives you a look at the production of the film, complete with
interviews with director Sassen. The DVD also contains trailers for the
film, a photo Gallery that is presented in selectable 2D or 3D and the
Electronic Press Kit for the movie, as well as a biography of Arid
the band featured in the film.
Haunted Castle is an interesting treat and the 3D effects
work quite well once you have tweaked your system accordingly. Fortunately
Slingshot has included a 50% rebate offer for the glasses required to
enjoy the 3D effects so that stepping stone is also somewhat reduced.
review
source: www.dvdreview.com