...bogs down in psychological mumbo-jumbo, redundancy, imitation, and sheer vulgarity, with a multitude of flashbacks interrupting the flow of what little narrative is left.
Now, remember the mental gifts our heroes share and the little boy they once rescued? Well, the aliens have mental strengths, too, and all of these people, creatures, and powers eventually come together as the story deteriorates into pure chaos (for the characters as well as for the audience). The Wife-O-Meter, who watched the film only intermittently, described it as "men's bathroom humor," and she meant it literally. The film involves an immoderate number of references to human excrement, at least two of which are quite graphically explicit.
While the film itself is a lost cause, at least it leaves male viewers with one helpful piece of advice: Never, ever, pee in the snow; you never know what might be lurking just under the surface, with really big teeth and an urge to bite whatever's at hand, so to speak.
The movie is an amalgam of half a dozen or more other pictures, with none of the pieces fitting together. There's a little of "The Thing," Hawks's or Carpenter's, take your pick; there's a good deal of "Alien"; there's a bit of "Independence Day" and "Invasion of the Saucer Men"; there's even a touch of King's own "Green Mile," "Stand By Me," and "It." And let's not forget Morgan Freeman from King's "Shawshank Redemption." If the whole thing had been done as a dark, low-key parody, it might actually have worked; but it's not.
Despite its constant action in the last three quarters, "Dreamcatcher" fails to produce any excitement or suspense and certainly generates no scares. It simply becomes a weird mind-reading act amid a countryside of blood and carnage. Nor does the film provide any logic or reason for its actions. As it stands, "Dreamcatcher" is so unfocused, so gross, and so imitative, it must be considered a curiosity at best.
Video:
Warner Brothers have provided a handsome if not spectacularly great video transfer. First, they're ensured the screen size approaches its theatrical-release dimensions, in this case measuring an anamorphic widescreen ratio of about 2.16:1 across a normal television. Second, they've projected the film's color in excellent condition, bright but not too bright, deep but not over-saturated, detailed and natural even in the darkest areas of the frame. Definition is only so-so, but there are no evidences of grain, moiré effects, or digital artifacts to be seen.
Audio:
As often happens these days, the sound engineers come up with the best parts of the show. The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is outstanding in every department. All the channels offer up strong dynamics, fast transient response, and a wide frequency range, including a powerful mid and deep bass. A few of the gunshots will have you ducking for cover. In addition, the surrounds extend the sound well into the corners of the room with dramatic results, excelling in matters like multiple helicopter flyovers and bullets whizzing about, and also in more subtle things like distant thunder, rain, voices, and soft, generally creepy noises.
Extras:
There are no commentary tracks involved, which may come as a relief to those buyers who feel guilty not listening them, but there are a few other items of interest. Perhaps of most advantage are the film's original ending and four lifted scenes. Unfortunately, the original ending is no better than the one that was finally agreed upon, though it's less silly. The filmmakers obviously looked at or screened both endings and went for the one that was most over-the-top. Then, there are three featurettes: "DreamWriter: An Interview with Stephen King," seven minutes with the book's author; "DreamWeavers: The Visual Effects of Dreamcatcher," eight minutes, self-explanatory; and "DreamMakers: A Journey Through Production," eighteen minutes of the director talking a lot. Finally, there are cast and crew listings, a generous thirty-seven scene selections, and a two-and-a-half minute, widescreen teaser trailer. Spoken languages are provided in English and French, with subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
Parting Shots:
"Dreamcatcher" is a frustrating picture. It's got a good-sized budget, ensuring decent special effects; it's well directed; and it's well acted. But its scattershot screenplay leaves it nowhere to go but down. The mind-reading gimmick is good for a few scenes, but ultimately the whole movie bogs down in psychological mumbo-jumbo, redundancy, imitation, and sheer vulgarity, with a multitude of flashbacks interrupting the flow of what little narrative is left.
Stephen King has said he gets his ideas from "what if" situations. In essence, "Dreamcatcher" is a great example of a "what if" in the wrong sense. When we're finished watching it, we're left to imagine what it could have been, if.
While the film itself is a lost cause, at least it leaves male viewers with one helpful piece of advice: Never, ever, pee in the snow; you never know what might be lurking just under the surface, with really big teeth and an urge to bite whatever's at hand, so to speak.
The movie is an amalgam of half a dozen or more other pictures, with none of the pieces fitting together. There's a little of "The Thing," Hawks's or Carpenter's, take your pick; there's a good deal of "Alien"; there's a bit of "Independence Day" and "Invasion of the Saucer Men"; there's even a touch of King's own "Green Mile," "Stand By Me," and "It." And let's not forget Morgan Freeman from King's "Shawshank Redemption." If the whole thing had been done as a dark, low-key parody, it might actually have worked; but it's not.
Despite its constant action in the last three quarters, "Dreamcatcher" fails to produce any excitement or suspense and certainly generates no scares. It simply becomes a weird mind-reading act amid a countryside of blood and carnage. Nor does the film provide any logic or reason for its actions. As it stands, "Dreamcatcher" is so unfocused, so gross, and so imitative, it must be considered a curiosity at best.
Video:
Warner Brothers have provided a handsome if not spectacularly great video transfer. First, they're ensured the screen size approaches its theatrical-release dimensions, in this case measuring an anamorphic widescreen ratio of about 2.16:1 across a normal television. Second, they've projected the film's color in excellent condition, bright but not too bright, deep but not over-saturated, detailed and natural even in the darkest areas of the frame. Definition is only so-so, but there are no evidences of grain, moiré effects, or digital artifacts to be seen.
Audio:
As often happens these days, the sound engineers come up with the best parts of the show. The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is outstanding in every department. All the channels offer up strong dynamics, fast transient response, and a wide frequency range, including a powerful mid and deep bass. A few of the gunshots will have you ducking for cover. In addition, the surrounds extend the sound well into the corners of the room with dramatic results, excelling in matters like multiple helicopter flyovers and bullets whizzing about, and also in more subtle things like distant thunder, rain, voices, and soft, generally creepy noises.
Extras:
There are no commentary tracks involved, which may come as a relief to those buyers who feel guilty not listening them, but there are a few other items of interest. Perhaps of most advantage are the film's original ending and four lifted scenes. Unfortunately, the original ending is no better than the one that was finally agreed upon, though it's less silly. The filmmakers obviously looked at or screened both endings and went for the one that was most over-the-top. Then, there are three featurettes: "DreamWriter: An Interview with Stephen King," seven minutes with the book's author; "DreamWeavers: The Visual Effects of Dreamcatcher," eight minutes, self-explanatory; and "DreamMakers: A Journey Through Production," eighteen minutes of the director talking a lot. Finally, there are cast and crew listings, a generous thirty-seven scene selections, and a two-and-a-half minute, widescreen teaser trailer. Spoken languages are provided in English and French, with subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
Parting Shots:
"Dreamcatcher" is a frustrating picture. It's got a good-sized budget, ensuring decent special effects; it's well directed; and it's well acted. But its scattershot screenplay leaves it nowhere to go but down. The mind-reading gimmick is good for a few scenes, but ultimately the whole movie bogs down in psychological mumbo-jumbo, redundancy, imitation, and sheer vulgarity, with a multitude of flashbacks interrupting the flow of what little narrative is left.
Stephen King has said he gets his ideas from "what if" situations. In essence, "Dreamcatcher" is a great example of a "what if" in the wrong sense. When we're finished watching it, we're left to imagine what it could have been, if.
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]11045[/release]