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Just Visiting
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // PG-13 // September 11, 2001
List Price: $32.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
At some point a few years ago, it was decided that it would be an interesting lark to remake the extremely popular French film "The Visitors". Maybe it was a good idea, I don't know, I personally haven't seen the original. What may not have been a particularly good idea was the involvement of John Hughes, a formerly terrific filmmaker who could be counted on for comedies with a lot of heart and great characters. Now all it seems he can be counted on for are kids movies and bathroom humor, the later of which is provided a great deal here. The interesting thing is that Hughes is really the only major new edition here. The original director, screenwriter and two lead actors return here, but with the Hughes "Home Alone" style shoehorned in. The 40 million dollar production barely stayed in theaters for more than mere moments, racking up a 4 million dollar gross.
The film's remarkably lengthy and overacted opening (narrated by Kelsey Grammer) has the brave Count Thibault (Jean Reno) set to marry Rosalind (Christina Applegate), his true love. Yet, witchcraft ruins the celebration and a whole lot of special effects happen, the end result of which is foul play. The city's wizard (Malcolm McDowell) attempts to send the Count and his stanky servant, Andre (Christian Clavier) back in time, but he screws things up and sends the two to Chicago, 2000 (the film was actually shot in Chicago around 1998 - you can tell its already dated as the "Macarena" plays on a destroyed car's radio).
So, the two run around in a time where everything is strange to them and the idea of a toilet proves particularly fascinating. One of the few funny sequences in the picture has the two waking up in a museum and scaring the crap out of a group of kids on tour. The two visitors meet up with Julia Malfete(Applegate, again) who is the great, great, great Granddaughter of Rosalind. Meanwhile, her fiancee Hunter (Matt Ross) is plotting to sell off the family estate with his mistress (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras). Meanwhile, in a rather absurd subplot, gardener Angelique (Tara Reid) falls in love with Andre.
The whole fish-out-of-water thing does, as one might expect, get rather tired after a while. Even at 88 minutes, "Just Visiting", with its toilet humor and slapstick, does wear out its welcome before the credits roll. Reno and Applegate do at least give it their best attempt, but the film really never succeeds in being entertaining or funny.
The DVD
VIDEO: Buena Vista's 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen edition is not without some minor problems, but usually looks strong. Sharpness and detail are exceptional throughout the presentation and the film looks well-defined. Chicago locations are well-used and the film provides some solid scenery to enjoy.
The only flaw that I noticed throughout the picture is that edge enhancement does become noticable at times. This didn't cause the presentation to suffer greatly, but was mild on occasion. I saw no instances of pixelation and only a few minor speckles on the print used. Colors appeared bright, vibrant and well-saturated throughout, with no smearing or other problems. Black level appeared solid and flesh tones were accurate and natural.
SOUND: The Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation is suprisingly terrific. Although the film does often fold up to being front-heavy, there are a good deal of sequences that provide fine surround effects and also, use the surrounds very nicely for detailed ambient sounds. The score sounded superb, with fine presence and a warm, rich quality. Dialogue sounded clear and easily understood, as well - unfortunately.
MENUS:: Basic, generic menus that have the score playing behind them.
EXTRAS:: "The Magic Behind The Magic" offers 5 very short featurettes that focus on different aspects of the production. Fairly interesting, but it's rather thin. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer and the usual "Sneak Peeks" that accompany most Disney DVDs.
Final Thoughts: A film that succeeds more often at being stupid than funny, "Just Visiting" was a chore to sit through, even at 88 minutes. Buena Vista's DVD provides fine audio/video quality, but little in the way of extras. The film failed - and it failed for a reason. Not recommended and definitely far overpriced at $32.99.
At some point a few years ago, it was decided that it would be an interesting lark to remake the extremely popular French film "The Visitors". Maybe it was a good idea, I don't know, I personally haven't seen the original. What may not have been a particularly good idea was the involvement of John Hughes, a formerly terrific filmmaker who could be counted on for comedies with a lot of heart and great characters. Now all it seems he can be counted on for are kids movies and bathroom humor, the later of which is provided a great deal here. The interesting thing is that Hughes is really the only major new edition here. The original director, screenwriter and two lead actors return here, but with the Hughes "Home Alone" style shoehorned in. The 40 million dollar production barely stayed in theaters for more than mere moments, racking up a 4 million dollar gross.
The film's remarkably lengthy and overacted opening (narrated by Kelsey Grammer) has the brave Count Thibault (Jean Reno) set to marry Rosalind (Christina Applegate), his true love. Yet, witchcraft ruins the celebration and a whole lot of special effects happen, the end result of which is foul play. The city's wizard (Malcolm McDowell) attempts to send the Count and his stanky servant, Andre (Christian Clavier) back in time, but he screws things up and sends the two to Chicago, 2000 (the film was actually shot in Chicago around 1998 - you can tell its already dated as the "Macarena" plays on a destroyed car's radio).
So, the two run around in a time where everything is strange to them and the idea of a toilet proves particularly fascinating. One of the few funny sequences in the picture has the two waking up in a museum and scaring the crap out of a group of kids on tour. The two visitors meet up with Julia Malfete(Applegate, again) who is the great, great, great Granddaughter of Rosalind. Meanwhile, her fiancee Hunter (Matt Ross) is plotting to sell off the family estate with his mistress (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras). Meanwhile, in a rather absurd subplot, gardener Angelique (Tara Reid) falls in love with Andre.
The whole fish-out-of-water thing does, as one might expect, get rather tired after a while. Even at 88 minutes, "Just Visiting", with its toilet humor and slapstick, does wear out its welcome before the credits roll. Reno and Applegate do at least give it their best attempt, but the film really never succeeds in being entertaining or funny.
The DVD
VIDEO: Buena Vista's 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen edition is not without some minor problems, but usually looks strong. Sharpness and detail are exceptional throughout the presentation and the film looks well-defined. Chicago locations are well-used and the film provides some solid scenery to enjoy.
The only flaw that I noticed throughout the picture is that edge enhancement does become noticable at times. This didn't cause the presentation to suffer greatly, but was mild on occasion. I saw no instances of pixelation and only a few minor speckles on the print used. Colors appeared bright, vibrant and well-saturated throughout, with no smearing or other problems. Black level appeared solid and flesh tones were accurate and natural.
SOUND: The Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation is suprisingly terrific. Although the film does often fold up to being front-heavy, there are a good deal of sequences that provide fine surround effects and also, use the surrounds very nicely for detailed ambient sounds. The score sounded superb, with fine presence and a warm, rich quality. Dialogue sounded clear and easily understood, as well - unfortunately.
MENUS:: Basic, generic menus that have the score playing behind them.
EXTRAS:: "The Magic Behind The Magic" offers 5 very short featurettes that focus on different aspects of the production. Fairly interesting, but it's rather thin. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer and the usual "Sneak Peeks" that accompany most Disney DVDs.
Final Thoughts: A film that succeeds more often at being stupid than funny, "Just Visiting" was a chore to sit through, even at 88 minutes. Buena Vista's DVD provides fine audio/video quality, but little in the way of extras. The film failed - and it failed for a reason. Not recommended and definitely far overpriced at $32.99.
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