Graveyard tale entertaining in 3D
by Ashley Clark, entertainment editor

    Going beyond traditional educational and wholesome family IMAX films Haunted Castle promises to surprise, enchant and occasionally shock.

    Jasper Steverlinck plays Johnny, a young up-and-coming musician.
Johnny’s estranged mother, played by Kyoko Baertsoen, has spent her final days in a mysterious castle.

    One day Johnny is summoned from her grave to visit the castle he is told he inherited.

    When Johnny first creeps through the door, the point of view quickly changes to first person and the rest of the film is shot as though looking through Johnny's eyes.

    Johnny is greeted by Mephesto, the castle’s custodian of evil.

    Mephesto introduces Johnny to Mr. D., a large demon head floating in a burning fireplace and the keeper of the castle.

    Mr. D offers Johnny the same tempting offer he made his mother—sign over his soul in exchange for a life as a rich and world-famous musician.

    While Johnny thinks it over, Mr. D. orders Mephesto to take Johnny on a tour through the castle.

    Johnny, Mephesto and the audience hop on a cart ride that feels similar to those at a Disneyland theme park.

    The camera rides over a sea of fire, through a hall of floating violins and through a ghastly torture chamber with the souls of musicians of the past rotting in hanging cages.

    Throughout the tour, an eerie voice follows Johnny, continually telling him to turn back.

    But Jonny does not turn back, and the audience members are confronted with everything from bats to demons to humorous singing monkeys.

    The ghoulish computer animation combined with real-life images makes the point-of-view 3D tour of the haunted castle a chilling and invigorating one.

    Haunted Castle is exciting, unpredictable and remarkably entertaining.

    Talented creators have made it easy for audiences to feel as though they are submersed in a dream, a video game or, more appropriately, a movie.

    The film is highly recommended for those who have a taste for graveyard stories and enjoy 3D films. Rated PG, the movie may be inappropriate for smaller children.