Tommy Nelson I saw this movie for the first time around 7 years ago. Not that long ago, but long enough where 3-D movies were still an attraction, and were around to go to on special occasions or once in a while. Now that they're everywhere and every movie is in 3-D, movies like this one would most likely not be funded because there are big budget 3-D films out there that could make a fortune, and people will definitely go to see them instead of this. And really, this isn't even a very good movie, but, the 3-D is the best I've ever seen, and far superb to 3-D films I've seen even recently. The story isn't great, and the plot is pretty muddled, but this film is a vessel to show off amazing 3-D effects, and as a 3-D vessel, this is pretty darn impressive.The story follows a young man named Johnny, whose father just passed away. Johnny goes to a castle his dad left him and meets Mr. D (voiced by Harry Shearer of the Simpsons), who is actually the Devil. Johnny wants to be a rock and roll star, like his father was, so naturally Satan wants him to sell his soul. Following the basic plot is a string of special effect scenes, which make up 80% of the movie.This movie, as a film, probably deserves about a 3/10. I would never watch this on home video, unless the new 3-D TV's did this thing justice to make it as amazing as it was in Imax. As a 3-D movie, I'd give it a 10. Where movie's currently are being put in 3-D just to make more money, this movie was clearly built for 3-D. And it's really good 3-D. Parts of the movie are right in front of your face, and I don't just mean things pop out, I mean the entire film looks like it's happening right in front of your face. This 3-D is so good, that it makes up somewhat for the stupid characters, and the dumb plot, and the idiotic ending. Where I would normally dislike a movie with a bad plot and good effects, I actually didn't dislike this. It's a very engulfing experience, and the 3-D helps make this very watchable.My rating: ** 1/2 out of ****. Not rated, contains some mild language and violence. 40 mins.

RHPSvegas Do yourself a favor - forget about the plot of this film and see it forwhat it was meant to be seen for: eye candy. That's why Imax wasinvented! This film is especially favorable, seeing as how it's in 3-D.The story is about Johnny, the son of a former rock star mother who leftwhen he was only 3 years old and totally kept out-of-touch with himuntil she died. Upon her death, Johnny recieved a letter from her lawyerstating that he had inherited her castle and that he needed to be thereimmediately - that's where the film starts. Johnny's limo pulls up tothe castle and upon his entry, Johnny discovers it's all an evil trapset up by the devil himself to get Johnny to sign a contract to be afamous rock star like his mother. What ensues is a journey through thetortured lives of those who tried to renig on their contracts. The filmnot very graphic, but can be engrossing. There's lots of skeletons,creepy little green cherubs, weird singing monkey robots and Mephisto,Mr. D's right-hand-man. So the plot is kind of corny, but this film isstill worth seeing - it's like a better version of Disneyland's HauntedMansion, except with somewhat of a plot! The music is EXCELLENT! Belgian band Arid's lead singer, Jasper Steverlinck, plays Johnny and KyokoBaerston of Lunascape (also Belgian) does an excellent job portrayingJohnny's mother (and she Goth-dances too!). At the end of it all we'retreated to a live performance of Arid's "Little Things of Venom," anexcellent song which permeats throughout the Haunted Castle. Check itout!!! 10 out of 10..

Ace-38 "Haunted Castle" is my first experience with the IMAX format, and after hearing about the issues the producers had with IMAX as far as the film's content, only increased my interest in it. This film is a visual marvel. Far and away surpassing anything hollywood has put out. I realize the IMAX format helps here, and the 40 minute running time allows for more emphasis on such things, but this is the best 3-D film ever made. You literally feel as if you're at the scene, unlike the cheesy 3-D films of the past. If you're claustrophobic or prone to motion sickness, this film will not be for you as you feel very closed in and are taken (literally) on an express train ride to the depths of hell.Now for the story...there is none. SPOILER ALERT! I was sickened when I realized I'd just spent $8.50 and 40 minutes watching nothing more than a promotional music video for the band featured at the end. Very sad usage for such a marvelous production. The basic storyline you're asked to follow amounts to this: estranged rock star mom dies, leaves rock star son creepy old mansion. Son visits mansion, realizes mom made deal with the devil for fame, devil tries to recruit son. Sounds like someone really loves the old blues mythology of Robert Johnson's "deal with the devil" at the crossroads.Without a doubt, "Haunted Castle" is worthy of a viewing for nothing more than it's visual ferocity. But leave your brain at home and be fully prepared for a massively disappointing ending.Visually: 5 out 5 Story: 1/2 out of 5 Total rating: 3 out of 5

gliddonp After reading of the disagreements between IMAX and the producers, I decided that the film simply *had* to be seen, if for no other reason than the support of free artist endeavour, unfettered by the dictates of the machinery used to present it. The visual aesthetics of current 3D projection technology were also a strong drawing point.First, the up side. Much of the film is computer-generated, usually quite obviously so, but this detracts very little from the beauty of the images on the screen. By way of introduction, the film begins with the viewer flying over a vast expanse of seascape and hillside, circling an ominous castle...getting ever closer and closer. This echo of early Imax films (i.e. North of Superior) is highly effective as a means to draw the viewer into the world subsequently created. The illusion of depth and solidity is maintained, and increased, throughout this rather short offering by clever viewpoints, slow panning and circling, and the creation of interior spaces and movements that had some of the audience gasping in discomfort, yet loving the "ride". Textures were sumptuous, perspectives both nightmarish and realistic, though the meshing of computer-generated surroundings and human actor(s) was somewhat disconnected or abstract at points. The 3D effect was never lost, though oft-times had a cartoonish quality to it. The music was geared to a 15-25 year-old audience, with some of it having an unearthly beauty that sent shivers along my spine.The disturbing images are inadvertently humourous, lacking even the "horror punch" present in everyday hellfire-and-brimstone preaching, letalone the creepy-crawly quality present in "Nightmare Before Christmas".The down side? The plot isn't much, characters lack depth, and trite philosophy underlies much of the dialogue on the screen. The technology is barely tolerable, with rather heavy eyegear needed to complete the illusions of visual depth. Watching three hours with this equipment on one's head would be physically painful, if not impossible. Though I soon adapted to the equipment I had to move my head, rather than my eyes, to look at different sections of the screen, in order to avoid a disconcerting strobing effect. This is hardly "ergonomic".All in all, worth seeing as an almost-spectacular demonstration of a technology in its primitive stages of development, and a visual genre still in formation. More will come our way, and further refinements will no doubt amaze us in years to come.