Haunted Lighthouse (2003)

Director:

Joe Dante

Writers:

Sam Hamm (writer)
R.L. Stine (story)

Release Date:

March 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Adventure

Plot Keywords:

Ride Film | 3 Dimensional | Special Venue

Cast

Lea Thompson	...	Peg Van Legge
Christopher Lloyd	...	Cap'n Jack
Bobby Edner	...	Edgar
Michael McKean	...	Captain Van Legge
Rachel Hunter	...	Rich Widow Feeney
Matt Weinberg	...	Mike
Sara Paxton	...	Ashley
Daveigh Chase	...	Annabel

Also Known As:

R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse (USA) (complete title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS 70 mm

Certification:

South Korea:All

Company:

Busch Entertainment Corporation

Quotes:

Captain Van Legge: Great Scott!

Movie Connections:

References Back to the Future (1985)

Family entertainment sprung a leak

The only thing haunted about "Haunted Lighthouse" was the fact that about 30 minutes of my life has now passed on and I will be forever reminded about how I cannot ever get it back.

The "Spy Kids" series, Warner Bros. cartoons, and the Muppets constantly show that you can do family entertainment that will appeal to everyone and avoid heavy shipments of cheese.

I would say the writing was primarily what was at fault here. I've never read any of R.L. Stine's books but I am familiar with the genres the author deals with (early teen thrillers). I can't get on the actors here too much. The kids were.. well.. not every kid can be Haley Joel Osment.

The adults were primarily Christopher Lloyd and Michael McKean since Lea Thompson only had a scant two or three lines and Weird Al was mainly scenery for while he was present. Lloyd and McKean did performances that were right on par with what the film was supposed to be. The problem was the material they were given to work with wasn't up to par with them.

The 3-D effects featured were well done and the '4-D' interactions (water spraying, buzzing vibrations from the seats, wind blowing, etc) were pretty effective. It's just a shame that the entire package that was delivered could not compare to the wrapping that encased it.

For anyone visiting Busch Gardens I recommend seeing it once (because I think every flick they have in the Globe should be viewed at least that many times) but similar to their "Auction at Castle O'Sullivan" in Ireland... once is more than enough for "Haunted Lighthouse".

Neat idea, needed more of a plot than what was likely enscribed on the back of a napkin in 5 minutes by the author.