Although
not perfect, I tend to look on MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN ($20) as
something of an underrated gem. While the film’s detractors complain the
film doesn’t compare favorably to the book on which it is based, MEMOIRS
OF AN INVISIBLE MAN works exceedingly well as an entity unto itself. MEMOIRS
OF AN INVISIBLE MAN is a pretty solid sci-fi thriller that benefits
from the direction of genre movie veteran John Carpenter, who ushers the
suspenseful moments with an assured hand. Additionally, the film features
a surprisingly good dramatic turn from Chevy Chase, who was looking to
take his career in a new direction. Sure, there are some elements of
comedy in the film (which Chase handles with aplomb,) but for the most
part, MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN affords Chase the chance to do
some of his best work as an actor.
In
MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN, Chase portrays Nick Halloway, a yuppie
stock analyst drifting through life without any serious ties to anyone or
anything. Something of an invisible man his entire life, it is rather
ironic when Nick is caught an accident at a research facility that leaves
him truly invisible. While one might think that being invisible would have
its advantages, Nick immediately discovers that it is a curse that leaves
him truly isolated from the world and on the run from corrupt CIA agent
David Jenkins (Sam Neill), who want to use Nick for his own diabolical
purposes. The cast of MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN also features
Daryl Hannah, Michael McKean, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jim Norton, Rosalind
Chao and Patricia Heaton.
Warner
Home Video has made MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN available on DVD in
a great looking 2.35:1 wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for
playback on 16:9 displays. Like all of John Carpenter’s other movies
shot in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN
utilizes the entire Panavision frame for compositional and storytelling
purposes, thus making this release the first time that the masses (and not
just a few Laserdisc collectors) will be
able to fully appreciate this film in the home venue. The image on the DVD
is sharp and nicely defined, plus it allows one the chance to appreciate
the early CGI effects created by ILM for this 1992 release. I personally
love the homage to the 1933 version of THE INVISIBLE MAN in which
Chase unwraps himself ala Claude Rains. Colors appear strong and the flesh
tones are always completely appealing. Blacks are accurate and whites are
clean. Contrast is very good, as is the level of shadow detail. The film
element used for the transfer displays some minor blemishes and an
occasionally noticeable grain structure, but neither is excessive or
bothersome. Digital compression artifacts are usually well concealed.
MEMOIRS
OF AN INVISIBLE MAN comes with a Dolby Digital 2.0 channel soundtrack
that decodes to standard surround. This is a rather good sounding track
from the end of the matrixed surround era. Sure, fully digital fully
discrete tracks eclipse this one by a wide margin, but the sound mix is
engaging and well suited to the material. Surround usage is primarily
relegated to ambient sounds and musical fill, but there are some active
effects that are very well implemented through the rear channels. The
forward soundstage seems open and rather clean sounding. Dialogue is very
crisp and always completely understandable. Shirley Walker’s score is
reproduced at a good level of musical fidelity, without any harshness or
noticeable compression. A French language track is also encoded on the
DVD, as are English, French and Spanish subtitles. Music underscores the
basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the standard scene
selection and set up features, as well as a couple of extras. How to
Become Invisible: The Dawn of Digital FX is a four-minute look at
the film’s early digital compositing and CGI effects. Several minutes of
outtakes and a cast & crew listing close out the extras.
If
you have never seen MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN, it is an enjoyable
little sci-fi thriller that well worth discovering on DVD. With this film,
Chevy Chase proves that his is capable of more than getting a laugh and
John Carpenter shows he can hold his own as a hired gun on a big budget
studio film. Warner has done a good job with the DVD- offering up a rather
solid presentation that will please fans.
Although
not perfect, I tend to look on MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN ($20) as
something of an underrated gem. While the film’s detractors complain the
film doesn’t compare favorably to the book on which it is based, MEMOIRS
OF AN INVISIBLE MAN works exceedingly well as an entity unto itself. MEMOIRS
OF AN INVISIBLE MAN is a pretty solid sci-fi thriller that benefits
from the direction of genre movie veteran John Carpenter, who ushers the
suspenseful moments with an assured hand. Additionally, the film features
a surprisingly good dramatic turn from Chevy Chase, who was looking to
take his career in a new direction. Sure, there are some elements of
comedy in the film (which Chase handles with aplomb,) but for the most
part, MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN affords Chase the chance to do
some of his best work as an actor.
In
MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN, Chase portrays Nick Halloway, a yuppie
stock analyst drifting through life without any serious ties to anyone or
anything. Something of an invisible man his entire life, it is rather
ironic when Nick is caught an accident at a research facility that leaves
him truly invisible. While one might think that being invisible would have
its advantages, Nick immediately discovers that it is a curse that leaves
him truly isolated from the world and on the run from corrupt CIA agent
David Jenkins (Sam Neill), who want to use Nick for his own diabolical
purposes. The cast of MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN also features
Daryl Hannah, Michael McKean, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jim Norton, Rosalind
Chao and Patricia Heaton.
Warner
Home Video has made MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN available on DVD in
a great looking 2.35:1 wide screen presentation that has been enhanced for
playback on 16:9 displays. Like all of John Carpenter’s other movies
shot in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN
utilizes the entire Panavision frame for compositional and storytelling
purposes, thus making this release the first time that the masses (and not
just a few Laserdisc collectors) will be
able to fully appreciate this film in the home venue. The image on the DVD
is sharp and nicely defined, plus it allows one the chance to appreciate
the early CGI effects created by ILM for this 1992 release. I personally
love the homage to the 1933 version of THE INVISIBLE MAN in which
Chase unwraps himself ala Claude Rains. Colors appear strong and the flesh
tones are always completely appealing. Blacks are accurate and whites are
clean. Contrast is very good, as is the level of shadow detail. The film
element used for the transfer displays some minor blemishes and an
occasionally noticeable grain structure, but neither is excessive or
bothersome. Digital compression artifacts are usually well concealed.
MEMOIRS
OF AN INVISIBLE MAN comes with a Dolby Digital 2.0 channel soundtrack
that decodes to standard surround. This is a rather good sounding track
from the end of the matrixed surround era. Sure, fully digital fully
discrete tracks eclipse this one by a wide margin, but the sound mix is
engaging and well suited to the material. Surround usage is primarily
relegated to ambient sounds and musical fill, but there are some active
effects that are very well implemented through the rear channels. The
forward soundstage seems open and rather clean sounding. Dialogue is very
crisp and always completely understandable. Shirley Walker’s score is
reproduced at a good level of musical fidelity, without any harshness or
noticeable compression. A French language track is also encoded on the
DVD, as are English, French and Spanish subtitles. Music underscores the
basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the standard scene
selection and set up features, as well as a couple of extras. How to
Become Invisible: The Dawn of Digital FX is a four-minute look at
the film’s early digital compositing and CGI effects. Several minutes of
outtakes and a cast & crew listing close out the extras.
If
you have never seen MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN, it is an enjoyable
little sci-fi thriller that well worth discovering on DVD. With this film,
Chevy Chase proves that his is capable of more than getting a laugh and
John Carpenter shows he can hold his own as a hired gun on a big budget
studio film. Warner has done a good job with the DVD- offering up a rather
solid presentation that will please fans.
