Haunted Honeymoon Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "Haunted Honeymoon" delivers a visually satisfactory experience, though it lacks the depth of a remastered release. Detail is present but not profound, with textures that adequately highlight make-up achievements and costuming, while maintaining the atmosphere of the aged sets. Color reproduction is balanced, handling primary hues comfortably and capturing more horror-centric tones pleasingly. Skintones are rendered accurately, and delineation proves effective, especially during the film's candle-lit scenes. Remarkably, the source print remains in good shape, exhibiting no overt damage.

The Blu-ray transfer, despite claims of a new HD remaster, produces mixed results. When optimal, the 1.85:1 transfer exhibits great detail and vibrant colors, particularly during the bright, natural-looking radio show set opening. However, as the setting shifts to Aunt Kate's mansion, inconsistencies arise; certain shots appear overly bright with bleached colors and diminished black levels. Film grain is preserved well across the film, contributing to fine detail retention. Yet, contrast can be erratic—black levels sometimes vary from deep and inky to almost brown, affecting shadow separation and depth perception. It's notable, though, that the sourced print is in excellent condition, devoid of speckling or scratches. Overall, while not living up to fans' expectations of a significant upgrade, the Blu-ray is a marked improvement over past releases, providing a generally enjoyable visual upgrade.

The audio presentation for the Blu-Ray release of "Haunted Honeymoon" is anchored by a 2.0 LPCM sound mix that elevates the overall viewing experience. Dialogue is crisp and expressive, maintaining the fast-paced comedic exchanges effortlessly. The soundtrack is immersive, with John Morris's scoring pulling in classic horror movie vibes to enhance the atmospherics and mood. Musical numbers are delivered with robust emphasis on instrumentation, allowing them to stand out without overshadowing the narrative.

The audio track, presented in DTS-HD MA 2.0, is clean and free from any hiss or age-related distortions. This mix enriches the film's spooky atmosphere, courtesy of heightened and exaggerated sound effects that are crucial to the story’s plot (avoiding spoilers). These sound effects contribute significantly to the low-frequency effects, providing great impact and depth. The intentional juicing up of atmospherics and strong instrumental support plays an essential role in engaging the audience, maintaining an evocative and haunting ambiance throughout.

The Blu-ray extras of "Haunted Honeymoon" enhance the overall package with a compact but thoughtful selection. The inclusion of older materials like the theatrical trailers in standard definition is a nod to nostalgic viewers, while the addition of other related movie trailers in varied quality (SD and HD) offers a glimpse into the wider filmography related to the lead actors and creators. Despite the limited volume of extras, what is included is well-curated, balancing archival content with insight into complimentary works. This makes the special features on this Blu-ray not only a collector's dream but also an informative experience for aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:
Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer, SD 2:19.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Trailer: A nod to another comedic classic by Gene Wilder, SD 2:53.
Life Stinks Trailer: Another Mel Brooks' comedy, presented in HD 2:01.

Gene Wilder’s 1986 film "Haunted Honeymoon" serves as both a comedic endeavor and a nostalgic tribute to horror-comedies of yore. This film unites Wilder with his wife Gilda Radner in her final movie appearance, aiming for a blend of slapstick humor and macabre elements. The plot centers around radio stars Larry (Wilder) and Vickie (Radner), who plan their wedding at a spooky mansion, encountering quirky relatives like Aunt Kate (Dom DeLuise) and assorted eerie happenings. Unfortunately, Wilder's attempt to mix referential comedy with elaborate set pieces doesn’t always hit the mark, often settling for simplistic charms and outdated gags that feel out of place in a mid-80s setting.

"Haunted Honeymoon" stands as a peculiar juxtaposition of brilliance and disarray. While moments of side-splitting humor and impressive performances from the ensemble cast do shine through, the film struggles with pacing and coherence. The narrative involving Larry's emotional turmoil juxtaposed with his family's bizarre sanity test offers comedic gold at its best but can feel confusing and disjointed at times. Scenes feel episodic, with some gags appearing to reference cut content, leading to lapses in comedic timing and engagement. Nonetheless, the standout scenes—especially ones featuring Dom DeLuise—provide enough memorable moments to justify the film’s nostalgic value.

Wilder’s direction circumvents conventional storytelling for an improvisational feel, leveraging the comedic prowess of talents like Radner and DeLuise. This approach yields mixed results; certain sequences highlight superb on-screen chemistry, while others falter under minimal scripting and clunky editing. The film’s structural inconsistency undermines its potential, turning plot momentum into intermittent halts. However, despite these flaws, "Haunted Honeymoon" endears itself through its homage to classic horror tropes and the remarkable performances of its leads, cementing it as a distinctive, if uneven, piece of 80s cinema with undeniable charisma.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of "Haunted Honeymoon" offers a notable improvement over previous DVD editions, though it may leave some videophiles wanting more in terms of video quality. The film, directed by Gene Wilder, showcases an array of clever visual tricks and undeniably charming performances from its cast, including Gilda Radner and Dom DeLuise. While the video presentation doesn't reach modern high-definition standards, it nonetheless provides a marked enhancement over older formats. Audio performance is robust, delivering clear dialogue and effectively harnessing the film's quirky score and sound effects.

Gene Wilder's direction, while not as strong as in some of his other works, still brings enough whimsy and humor to keep audiences engaged. The chemistry among the stars is palpable, with sincere performances that add to the nostalgic appeal of the film. Despite its occasional lack of clarity in narrative vision, "Haunted Honeymoon" succeeds in generating laughs through its cartoonish antics and evocative set pieces. It’s worth noting that the release includes a limited array of extras, primarily a collection of trailers, which might seem meager but are a welcome addition for dedicated fans.

In conclusion, "Haunted Honeymoon" on Blu-ray is a treat for longtime admirers of Wilder’s work. While it may not represent his finest directorial endeavor, the film retains enough charm and humor to entertain both new viewers and those revisiting it years later. Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray presentation respects the legacy of the film with improved audio and sufficient visual enhancements. The undeniable chemistry between its leads and its playful homage to old-school horror-comedy make it a worthwhile addition to any classic comedy collection.