Monster House Blu-ray Review

Monster House on Blu-ray offers an impressive visual presentation, particularly in its 3D format. Both 2D and 3D versions are presented in full 1080p resolution with a 2.4:1 aspect ratio. The film, developed with Sony’s REAL D's digital 3D format, clearly shines in 3D, as it was originally intended to be experienced this way. The 2D version is clean, bright, and colorful, though it slightly lacks the depth and punch seen in other animated films. The warm autumn palette reveals lush hues, with glossy blacks and well-developed contrast, although it doesn't particularly stand out from other animated features.

The 3D presentation of Monster House stands out thanks to its seamless integration and impressive depth. The sense of depth is immediately noticeable, with artful use of field view that avoids gimmicky ‘in-your-face’ effects, creating a more natural visual experience. Shots such as the opening scene where a leaf flows through branches, or detailed low-angle shots of grass, showcase the movie's meticulously crafted layers, enhancing the immersive quality. Specific scenes like the camera's journey up a chimney or characters running down an alleyway highlight the subtle but effective use of 3D.

Technically, the transfer is robust with sharp detailing visible on character clothing and intricate textures on the house itself. The color palette faithfully reproduces the fall-like tints and maintains vibrancy under various lighting conditions. Blacks are consistently rich and inky, remaining effective even through 3D glasses, although the inherent brightness issue of early 3D technology does mean that blacks can sometimes appear grey rather than pitch-black. Despite minor ghosting and crosstalk in some scenes, these issues are minimal and don't detract significantly from the overall experience. In all, Monster House provides a captivating and immersive 3D visual experience that highlights the potential of the technology.

The Blu-ray release of Monster House presents a stellar auditory experience, primarily through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. This engaging audio track is highly immersive, ensuring that the soundscape meticulously matches the on-screen action. Noteworthy is the film's opening scene that envelops listeners with ambient sounds such as wind, leaves, and tricycle squeaks, creating an authentic and engrossing environment. The use of directionality is exemplary; for instance, when Nebbercracker shakes D.J., Chowder's frantic voice is subtly audible from the left rear, amplifying the realism. The House character itself profoundly utilizes the LFE channel, delivering deep, gurgling sounds as characters traverse its strange innards.

Dialogues are crisp and naturally integrated, maintaining clarity and coherence even amidst dynamic scenes. The sound design capitalizes on discrete surround effects—fire crackles engulf the listening area early on, and the creaky house noises resonate compellingly across all speakers. The score further complements the movie's tone: it’s absorbing without overshadowing the action, balancing light and frantic elements to align perfectly with the storyline’s shifts.

Those who upgrade from previous releases will appreciate the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix over the erstwhile PCM 5.1 uncompressed tracks. The DTS track elevates the auditory experience with nuanced atmospheric sounds and potent low-end that never disappoints. Sony's implementation of heavy surround effects, combined with tight and focused bass, ensures a cohesive yet thrilling audio performance that enhances the 3D visual effects, establishing an almost perfect audio-visual synchronization. Altogether, this lossless soundtrack on Monster House represents near-pinnacle performance in immersive audio engineering for home theater environments.

The Blu-ray extras for "Monster House" offer a solid yet familiar array of content for enthusiasts. An audio commentary by director Gil Kenan and others provides some engaging insights, though the lack of participant identification detracts from its overall effectiveness. The "Inside Monster House" documentary is an informative, seven-part featurette that covers the character design, casting process, actor bonding, performance capture, motion capture filmmaking, computer animation, and sound design in concise segments. "Evolution of a Scene: Eliza vs. Nebbercracker" is an in-depth exploration of a specific scene's progression, featuring multiple viewable stages from storyboard to final film. Additionally, "The Art of Monster House" photo gallery and 3D-specific sneak peeks from "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and "Open Season 3" add further value. BD-Live functionality is also included.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Commentary track with Director Gil Kenan and others.
• Inside Monster House: Seven-part documentary covering various aspects of the movie.
• Evolution of a Scene: Eliza vs. Nebbercracker: In-depth feature on scene creation.
• The Art of Monster House: Photo gallery from concept to finished product.
• 3D Sneak Peeks: Previews from "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and "Open Season 3."
• BD-Live Functionality: Access to additional online content.

"Monster House" offers an engaging blend of suspense and animation prowess, making it a standout entry in the 3D genre. Released by Sony on a region-free Blu-ray disc, the movie firmly embeds itself in the horror camp, perfect for a Halloween viewing. The story, while not entirely original, is presented with vigor and suited for both children and adults. Its immersive 3D presentation is devoid of gimmicks, opting instead to enhance depth naturally, which pulls viewers into a fully enveloping visual experience. The character dynamics, especially the rapport between DJ and Chowder, add an extra layer of enjoyment.

The narrative follows the young DJ (voiced by Mitchel Musso) and his friends as they uncover the secret of the seemingly haunted house owned by Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi). The movie excels in grounding fantastical elements, making them accessible and intriguing. Visually, "Monster House" is a triumph in digital animation; each creaking floorboard and fluttering shutter is intricately rendered, enhancing the overall 3D effect without overshadowing the story. The haunted house emerges as a character in its own right, meticulously animated to serve both as a backdrop and an active participant in the unfolding drama.

Directed by Gil Kenan, "Monster House" benefits from a meticulously thoughtful execution that avoids generic pitfalls. Kenan ensures that every scene captures fear, friendship, and intrigue through skillful camera movements and well-placed angles. The voice cast's performances, notably from Musso and Lerner, bring authenticity to the character interactions, underscoring the film's emotional depth. The visual design, while not reaching the meticulous authenticity of films like "Wall●E," delivers an impressive digital playground that supports both storytelling and thematic exploration, making "Monster House" a compelling watch for all ages.

"Monster House" on Blu-ray delivers a highly satisfying viewing experience for audiences of all ages, spotlighting impressive technical achievements and compelling storytelling. The film boasts exceptional characterization, engaging direction, and depth that elevates it beyond its straightforward haunted house premise. While not quite reaching Pixar's echelon in terms of scope or production values, it stands out as a robust offering in animated family entertainment, notable for its ability to captivate both children and adults.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Monster House" shines, particularly in its 3D format. Sony has made a commendable decision to release it independently of hardware bundles, ensuring accessibility for early adopters. The 3D performance is outstanding, offering remarkable depth and detail that meet the high expectations of Blu-ray aficionados. Coupled with vibrant coloring and impeccable image quality in both 2D and 3D versions, viewers are treated to a visually splendid experience. The sound design is equally praiseworthy, powered by a robust lossless soundtrack that enriches the film's immersive experience.

Though it might not look all that original on paper or sound all that unique if one were to call it a neighborhood kids battle a haunted house story, "Monster House" is nevertheless a strong picture thanks to its solid characterization, great animation, knowledgeable direction, and surprising depth beyond its basic story elements. No, it's not a Pixar movie in terms of scope, production values, or story, but "Monster House" could safely be nestled into that category right below the cream of the crop. It's a worthwhile picture that will entertain the kids and satisfy the adults, and it's good enough to enjoy every year around Halloween. The best way to watch "Monster House"? In 3D, of course. Sony's once again done the right thing and released one of its 3D titles without tying it to a bundle, instead allowing all early adopters the opportunity to buy the movie off-the-shelf at a reasonable price point. Best of all, the quality of the 3D image is exemplary, boasting marvelous depth and the same level of detail and coloring Blu-ray fans expect of a top-tier release on the format, whether it's of the 2D or 3D variety. Supported by a powerful lossless soundtrack and a decent array of extras, it should come as no surprise that "Monster House" 3D comes very highly recommended.