Customer Reviews

Haunted Castle (3-D) (Large Format)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

One word: WOW! After I got my "Ultimate 3D Collection" assortment (which also included "Alien Adventure" and "Encounter in the Third Dimension" IMAX DVDs), the first movie I had to see was "Haunted Castle", since I love to go ghost investigating when I can get the free time and people to join me. Sure, the movie doesn't even comes close to anything realistic in the field of paranormal investigation, but as a 3D CGI fun ride, it's awesome. I can see that it would be quite boring in 2D, but I watched it with the accompanying Razor 3D shutter glasses (put out by edimensional) and was totally blown away. Got my mother to sit in and enjoy the film as well. We were both loving the dimensional effects, and more importantly, the fantastic music. If it wasn't for "Haunted Castle," I would never have known about "Lunascape". Can't wait to get their "Reminiscence" album, which has the "Lane Navachi" song from this movie on it. "Arid" is also excellent in the movie, though "Little Things of Venom" is really the only good song from their album "At The Close Of Every Day". As for the CGI in the movie, it kind of reminds me of the first two "Myst" games for computers. Really, the only thing that dates it is the globular effect used for when the three knights melt at the beginning of the film. Everything else is still excellent. My only complaint would be that the roller coaster segment doesn't go fast enough and wasn't more like the CGI "Devil's Mine Ride" short film (which can be found on the "Computer Animation Festival 2.0" video, if you can find a copy). If you love IMAX and 3D movies, get "Haunted Castle". You won't be disappointed, unless you don't have a pair of shutter glasses.

Out of watching about ten different IMAX movies this is my favorite one. The visuals are amazing and the music is breathtaking. The story is ok but for IMAX movie standards its really good. Besides that I think that is a terrific product.

Haunted Castle is a beautifully crafted movie with stunning graphics and 3D effects. It's fun and entertaining, especially when compared with other, more conventional 3D movies.

But the sparkling gem in this movie is the music, most of which is provided by Arid. Their music can only be described as beautifully melodic and enchanting - pure magic!

I guarantee you'll want to check out their album once you've heard their music in Haunted Castle.

And if you want to learn more about them, check out AridCentral on the web.

Indeed the 3D effects in this film make you feel as if you are in a motion simulator at times and it's a very cool experience for the 3d fanatic like myself. I wasn't as enamored of the music as some of the other reviewers here but it wasn't bad.It did need a bit more humor for Harry Shearer ( The Simpsons,Spinal Tap) to work with but it is cool and goth looking and fun for kids except for maybe very young ones.You do need a standard tube set to make it work with the included system but rumor has it that version for LCD and projectors systems are not far off. Untill then this is the best we got.

Dukey Flyswatter

This dvd is more like an experince/ride, that can be enjoyed over and over the story is good and the visuals are incredible cgi, Imax does not skimp on the wow factor. I own several 3d movies and this is my favorite. For the best experiance in projecting shutter Glasses movies use a epson projector because they use 3 lcd technology a good one is the Epson PowerLite Home 20 or in focus depth q projector.

To watch the "Haunted Castle" in all of its 3-D glory is simply an awesome experience!

I love watching the "Haunted Castle" in my basement, with lights off & Dolby 5.1 surround sound pumping out of every speaker. Everyone I have shown this movie to loves it and has commented on how cool it is. The combination of the fantastic 3D effects plus surround sound give this little flick something truly special! I'd give the "Haunted Castle" 100 stars if I could.....just because it is so cool.

This movie would not be nearly as entertaining in 2D or with average sound. If your lucky enough to own a pair of LCD shutter glasses and have a semi decent surround system --and you have not seen the "Haunted Castle"-- I would seriously recommend you stop what your doing and purchase it immediately.

For all you other suckers out there- get yourselves some shutter glasses, get that TV cranked up and check out the "Haunted Castle". It is sure to cast it's spell on you!

The only caveat: you need a raster to display the 3D properly as the 3D glasses toggle based on the raster timing (won't work on front or rear-screen projection systems).

HOWEVER, if you are on a tube set and are hooked up to a decent sound system, this is an AWESOME DVD. Kids will love it (though some scenes of torture could be too much for some - use discretion). 5.1 surround implemented brilliantly.

Previous reviewer who commented on the music score by the group Arid was correct... Went out and got their CD, also available on amazon.

I have a 46" Samsung 3D TV. It doesn't work on my set. If the movie requires other equipment for the 3D to work, they should say so in the product description. I feel like I have been ripped off.

I have a Mitsubihi 3D. This movie doesn't work in 3D with this set. Total waste of money.

Viewed as a regular movie, I'm not sure I would have watched Haunted Castle all the way through to the end, as the plot and writing left a lot to be desired. But the point of Haunted Castle is not plot twists and witty dialogue, but rather to provide an effective showcase for 3D special effects.

Viewed through that lens, Haunted Castle is worth watching, although in a few more years the effects are likely to seem dated. It may be a little intense for small children, but it's certainly less violent than, say, Revenge of the Sith.

To answer the other reader who wondered about the mysterious face and voice, the part of Johnny's mother is played by Kyoko Baertsoen, the vocalist for Lunascape. The song she sings is called "Lane Navachi" and it is on their album Reminiscence which is available here on Amazon.