The Haunting Blu-ray Review

Paramount’s release of "The Haunting" presents an impressive 4K remaster for its Blu-ray debut, ensuring that the film's visual elements command attention. The 35mm film source translates beautifully, delivering a polished and crystal-clear image with remarkable detail. The Gothic manor of Hill House is rendered with breathtaking clarity, highlighting the intricate architecture, ornate woodwork, and interior furnishings. Even in the dimly lit scenes, the black levels remain deep and well-defined, ensuring every nook and cranny of the mansion is visible. The film retains a consistent grain structure true to its original cinematic experience, ensuring an untampered and natural look. However, some of the dated 1990s CGI effects are notably less convincing by today’s standards, standing out against the otherwise pristine footage.

The 1080p transfer excels with rich color saturation and robust contrast, enhancing the overall visual appeal. de Bont’s preference for Panavision lenses results in outstanding lighting, which, coupled with warm red tones and occasional primary color pops, enriches the viewing experience. The fine detail is evident in facial features, costumes, and set designs, reflecting meticulous production quality. Supervised by Jan de Bont himself, this remaster boasts vibrant colors and flawless flesh tones that are lifelike and consistent throughout the film. One feels immersed in every scene due to the three-dimensional depth of field achieved in the footage.

Technically, the transfer is superbly clean, devoid of any noise or artifacts, confirming no use of excessive digital noise reduction. The encoding via MPEG-4 AVC on a BD-50 disc occupies the full 2.35:1 aspect ratio beautifully. This high-quality presentation not only enhances the cinematic allure of "The Haunting" but might even elevate one's appreciation of the film itself. Despite minor drawbacks associated with dated CGI, this Blu-ray release stands out as a testament to Paramount's commitment to preserving and enhancing classic films for modern audiences.

The 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track on "The Haunting" Blu-ray is a remarkable showcase of immersive audio engineering. It fully utilizes all six channels to create a dynamic, encompassing soundscape that places the viewer directly in the eerie, creaking Hill House. Each sound element is precisely positioned, allowing for a multi-dimensional auditory experience where the moans of opening doors, gusty breezes, and ghostly whispers are localized with outstanding clarity. The subwoofer performance is particularly impressive, delivering intense bass that resonates deeply and enhances the overall impact. Dialogues remain crystal clear and well integrated amidst the rich, atmospheric sound effects and Jerry Goldsmith's haunting score.

Throughout the film, near-field sounds are meticulously placed, contributing to an envelopment that effectively replicates the movie's spooky environments. As supernatural events escalate, the room is filled with directional and ambient sounds that heighten tension and immersion. The low-frequency effects (LFE) are not just powerful but also deeply resonant, shaking the room with each thump and bang, especially notable during key scenes like the chase in chapter 17. The surround mix's attention to detail is evident, with excellent balance across all channels ensuring that no aspect of the audio design feels neglected.

Overall, this Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix exemplifies technical excellence and creative sound design. The audio track breathes life into every creak and groan of Hill House, making it an essential element of the film's scare factor. The sound effects traverse the soundstage seamlessly, creating an active and engaging audio environment. Dialogue remains consistently clear, never falling victim to distortion or being overpowered by the imposing bass and intricate soundscape. This Blu-ray audio presentation is a masterclass in using modern sound technology to elevate a classic haunted house film's atmosphere and tension.

The Blu-ray release of "The Haunting" offers a carefully compiled set of extras, appealing to fans of the film and cinephiles interested in its production. The highlight is undoubtedly the "Filmmaker Focus" with director Jan de Bont, providing candid insights into production challenges, casting choices, and set design constraints. Although brief at a little over nine minutes, it effectively dispels rumors and provides a substantive look behind the curtain. The behind-the-scenes featurette, hosted by Catherine Zeta-Jones, gives a deeper dive with extensive interviews and on-set footage from the time of the film's production. Despite these valuable inclusions, the overall bonus features feel somewhat sparse with the archival theatrical trailers completing the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmaker Focus: Director Jan de Bont on The Haunting: Insightful retrospective covering production history and visual effects.
• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: In-depth making-of hosted by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
• Theatrical Teaser Trailer: Brief promotional teaser.
• Theatrical Trailer: Full official movie trailer.

"The Haunting," a 1999 remake of the 1963 classic, infuses traditional Gothic horror with late 90s CGI. Directed by Jan de Bont, renowned for thrillers like "Speed" and "Twister," the film leverages dynamic cinematography and production design to create an atmospheric experience. The story pivots around Nell (Lili Taylor), who joins an alleged sleep study led by Dr. David Marrow (Liam Neeson) at Hill House. However, Marrow's actual aim is to study fear, not sleep patterns. Alongside Nell, participants Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Luke (Owen Wilson) encounter eerie manifestations as Hill House unveils its dark history. Despite the film's PG-13 rating, it endeavors to build tension through its setting and sound design rather than relying solely on jump scares or gore.

While the narrative doesn't deliver the psychological nuance of Robert Wise’s original adaptation or Shirley Jackson’s source material, it does create a visually captivating experience through its ornate sets and eerie atmosphere. The film's reliance on computer-generated effects, intended to manifest the sinister presence of Hill House, is both a strength and a weakness. Practical effects such as rubber walls achieve genuine scares, but the dated CGI often falls flat by contemporary standards. Nonetheless, key scenes like the house creating a sinister face still manage to stand out due to impressive production design.

Performance-wise, Lili Taylor’s portrayal of Nell is compelling, embodying a character torn between grief and newfound purpose. Liam Neeson’s role, though somewhat underwhelming, supports the story's progression, while Zeta-Jones and Wilson offer necessary dynamism and levity. Despite its flaws—particularly in the third act where narrative cohesion wanes in favor of spectacle—the film remains an engaging piece of late 90s cinematic nostalgia. Significantly enhanced by a strong Jerry Goldsmith score and meticulous sound design, "The Haunting" succeeds as a visually rich and atmospheric horror, albeit one that falls short in delivering a lasting impact.

Paramount’s Blu-ray release of "The Haunting" (1999) brings a visually enriched and aurally enveloping rendition of a film that, while not an exemplary horror classic, carries 1990s Gothic allure. The new 4K remaster elevates the visual experience, presenting Jan de Bont's lavish production design in vibrant detail. The 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio showcases the film’s elaborate set pieces, although the dated CGI—emblematic of its era—might distract more discerning viewers. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio mix enhances the atmospheric tension, with Jerry Goldsmith’s score resonating effectively through the improved soundstage.

While the movie does succumb to genre cliches and utilizes heavy-handed CGI, it compensates with solid performances, particularly by Lili Taylor, and retains a unique charm. The haunting atmosphere is bolstered by interesting visual effects and thoughtful direction, even if the film occasionally prioritizes spectacle over substance. This Blu-ray edition, part of the Paramount Presents line, includes a valuable interview with de Bont and standard DVD extras, though additional features would have been appreciated.

Ultimately, Paramount has curated a commendable release that merits attention from both enthusiasts and newcomers. The visual and auditory improvements make for an engaging viewing experience, despite some inherent flaws in the film itself. While "The Haunting" may not achieve iconic status, its stylized execution and nostalgic elements offer enough enjoyment to justify a revisit.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Liam Neeson, Owen Wilson, Virginia Madsen, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, Bruce Dern
• Directed by: Jan de Bont
• Written by: David Self (Screenplay), Shirley Jackson (Novel)
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
• Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, English DVS 5.1, French, German, Japanese DD 5.1
• Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, German, Japanese
• Studio: Paramount
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 113 Minutes
• Blu-ray Release Date: October 20th, 2020

Recommendation: Fun Watch