The Invisible

TheCentralScrutinizer · 28 Sep 07 :: 03:10

Yeah, it would be great if Pete's importance as a character was restored with all his scenes put back, intact. Including his death.

And I wanna see him with Doree's stage money, too!

domesticelefant · 28 Sep 07 :: 20:14

Oh yeah, the stage money ... I'll do a second try later. I want to see that movie finally!

Illinoisguy1 · 02 Oct 07 :: 23:00

Here is a review of the DVD from DVD Talk.

The Invisible
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // PG-13 // $29.99 // October 16, 2007
Review by Bill Gibron | posted September 6, 2007 | E-mail the Author | Start a Discussion
Buy from Amazon.com
The track record for screenwriters turned directors is not all that great. Usually, a trip behind the lens is nothing more than a reward, a studio suit wink and a nod to a previous penning job well done. This is clearly the case when discussing David Goyer. A trip over to the IMDb indicates that, over the last 17 years, he's been responsible for the scripts to such cinematic successes as Dark City, Blade, Batman Begins and the upcoming Dark Knight. Of course, he probably won't fess up to such flops as Kickboxer 2: The Road Back, Demonic Toys, and The Puppet Masters. Still, for reestablishing Bruce Wayne's alter ego as a viable motion picture moneymaker again, as well as keeping Wesley Snipes in undeclared income, Goyer gets the chance to flex his often very fallible filmmaking skills. His first feature, ZigZag is all but forgotten. His next effort killed off that vampire's comic book franchise once and for all. Now, before he stains the legacy of the X-Men (he's "attached" to the Magneto movie), Goyer has a ghost story to tell you. It's called The Invisible, and if the title hasn't hinted, that's the way audiences treated it when it hit theaters back in April. Now on DVD, it's time to see if it can stir up some home video interest. All indicators suggest 'No'.
The Plot:
Nick Powell is not a problem child. Not really. He's just messed up inside and hurting since his dad decided to take a dirt nap when he was 13. About to graduate from high school, and angry at his distant mother for keeping him in a rather lonely lap of luxury, our only slightly troubled teen is off to jolly old England to become a writer. Oh course, mom and his mensch buddy Pete have yet to be informed of this fact. After helping his pathetic pal stand up - financially - to the gloomy gang gal Annie, Nick is ready to fly. All he has to do is stop off at a pre-graduation party, and it's Virgin Airlines all the way. Unfortunately, Annie has other ideas. When she's pinched for a jewelry store heist, she blames the blubbering Pete. Of course, like any true friend, he rats out Nick (who, in truth, had nothing to do with it). Beaten by the babe and her high school hired goons, our hero is left for dead in a drainage ditch. Next day, he's up and around, a spirit stuck between the afterlife and the real world. If he can convince Annie to confess, he may be able to save his battered body and live. If he doesn't, he will remain one of The Invisible for all eternity.
The DVD:
Here's a warning for anyone over 25 - The Invisible is not for you. As a matter of fact, it is clear that it was never intended to be pitched to your particular demographic. Like a juvenile J-Horror version of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, except with more student induced killing, what we have here is Ghost for the G-Unit generation. Helmed by untested director David Goyer, a Tinsel Town mainstay whose yet to craft a decent flick, and based on a Swedish novel by Mats Wahl entitled Den Osynlige (which itself was made into a movie in 2002), it's a narrative that speaks directly to individuals with limited life experience, grudges the size of Hummers on their waifish shoulders, and self-centered and interested adolescents who fail to realize that the world does not revolve around them. It's the pop culture paranormal, a movie that believes its novel because its villain is a hoodlum GAL, and its premise beyond preposterous. In essence, we learn that people who aren't quite dead enter into a kind of unseen state where they float between existence and the ephemeral. Nobody can hear them - except the catalyst she-criminal who caused the near-killing - and they're typically reduced to expository narrator, reminding the audience of what they can see right before their very eyes. In book form, this kind of externalized introspection may have worked, but on film it functions as a downgraded Dead Like Me.
For the first hour of the film, Goyer wants to give us a felonious Ferris Bueller, a heaping helping of high school hokum where our 'golden boy' hero scribbles poetry, sells final exam essays, and chides the cafeteria bullies because...well, because he's just so gosh-darned better than they are. Even after being jumped and reprimanded, he's a bon mot spouting sport, a London bound writer wannabe who hates his widowed mom for...well, for not being his dad. Obviously, Nick's got issues, a big fat rich twitching trust fund full of them, yet The Invisible is not out to explore these problems. Instead, they get a brief buzzword workout when our lead goes on his first post-traumatic haunt. Watching actor Justin Chatwin whine and snivel like a whipped kitten is irritating at best, but it's a pleasure compared to Margarita Levieva's totally unbelievable bit as troubled teen Annie. Fueled by the death of her mother and an ongoing sexual standoff with her paroled boyfriend Marcus, this Tommy Hilfiger harlot dresses in hoodies, wears a cap to keep her copious curls in place, and snarls like a guinea pig nursing its young. She's about as believable a baddie as Mother Teresa with a machete. Instead of being tough, she's talentless, doing nothing to prepare us for her last act change of heart. You'd think that as part of this overlong script, Goyer would find time to provide a little meaningful motivation.
Instead, The Invisible is nothing but ungrateful progeny spouting off at the undead mouth and readily available firearm. With its reliance of oh-so-hip indie rock (Wow - Death Cab for Cutie! How moody and mopey!) and it's stark British Columbia backdrop, you can literally see Goyer going for the gloomy Goth alienated fan base, the kind of kids who cut themselves while listening to outtakes from the latest Panic! At the Disco CD. The sad thing is, you can also hear his viewership swooning at the many moments of ersatz existentialism. When Nick screams at his mother for being an uncaring witch (of course, she can't hear him), the "Hell Yeahs!" rising from the firmament must have been deafening. Similarly, when Annie tells her dumpster Dad that if he does anything to her little brother Vincent, she will come back and kill him, the girl powerful must have gone gonzo. Every beat of this movie is aimed at a PG-13 protocol, more manipulated and micromanaged than the ad campaigns for High School Musical 1 and 2. Unfortunately, someone forgot to program in the thrills and chills. This is a horror movie without scares, and a supernatural actioner without excitement. Clearly created to guarantee maximum monetary returns by slyly avoiding any and all controversy - cinematic or otherwise - and geared to give the tween to tanked age bracket a tragic pair to pull for, The Invisible is actually pretty transparent. If you're old enough to know better, you're far and beyond this film's feeble focus group.
The Video:
While this critic would love to comment on the quality of this Touchstone transfer, the company pulled a fast one on us here at DVD Talk. Instead of sending out final product, they provided a screener, meaning that copyright warnings are plastered across the top and bottom of the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen image. Unlike other DVD distributors, who use an occasional flashing logo to protect against piracy, this division of the House and Mouse purposely destroyed a small portion of the motion picture for the entire running time. Then they expect a legitimate technical review. Well, in general, the visuals are fine. The muted color scheme works well, and the level of detail and contrasts is perfectly professional. But what the actual disc will contain is anyone's guess. Again, this is nothing more than a PR tool passing itself off as a legitimate digital package.
The Audio:
From an aural standpoint, it is also hard to give a fair assessment. The sole English track is purported to be a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, yet the overall lack of immersion suggests something simpler. Granted, the various mock rock songs sprinkled across the soundtrack really stun the speakers, but the general atmosphere of the movie is one note and bland. The back channels are barely recognized, and the attempt at ambiance does little to affect our viewing.
The Extras:
Touchstone does its best to flesh out this DVD package, providing a few semi-interesting bits of added content for those who care. First, there is a selection of deleted scenes with optional commentary from director Goyer and co-writer Christine Roum. The notion that this already overlong movie could have easily eclipsed the two hour mark is depressing enough. There's almost 20 more minutes of footage to be found, and after looking over what's been cut, and hearing the rationale behind the edits, it's obvious some more trimming was desperately needed. Then there are two full length audio discussions - one featuring Goyer and Roum, the other offering co-writer Mick Davis solo. Neither one is very interesting, since there's a lot of self-congratulatory backslapping going on. You know the kind of conversation offered here - rose-colored accolades of how everyone did a great job, resulting in an equally affable film. Right. Finally, we get two music videos - as if anyone over 10 cares about such things anymore. Still, 30 Seconds to Mars provides "The Kill", while Sparta delivers "Taking Back Control". Toss in the mandatory preview trailers and you've got a fair to middling collection of home video marketing materials.
Final Thoughts:
Though it's never quite boring, The Invisible is never quite believable, either. It will cause the more seasoned cinephiles in the crowd to scoff at its narrative naiveté, and frighten only the feeblest of Hanna Montana age horror fans. Goyer may bask in the supposed glory of his screenplay work, but his directorial flare is mostly flash in the panned. The Invisible should earn a Skip It, but because it definitely speaks to a pre-college constituency that still believes it has a future (suckers), it will instead receive a Rent It. That way, no one will feel fully hosed when their fear factors remain at rest. Besides, teens don't collect films. A quick click on Netflix, and the Saturday Night sleepover is set. Maybe if it tackled its many adult issues in a more mature manner, we'd have an acceptable little macabre. Instead, The Invisible wants to wow those that are the most impressionable - and the last thing terror should be is geared toward the gullible.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=30305

Last edited by Illinoisguy1 (02 Oct 07 :: 23:01)

TheCentralScrutinizer · 02 Oct 07 :: 23:41

That sounds fairly accurate to me.

domesticelefant · 03 Oct 07 :: 08:10

Wow, I never expected the movie to be compared with High School Musical! LOL

herrommance · 03 Oct 07 :: 14:32

...and i wish i weren't lol

TeeJay · 03 Oct 07 :: 15:16

That's a great review, Illinois, thanks for posting. I agree with most of it, especially this:

Here's a warning for anyone over 25 - The Invisible is not for you. As a matter of fact, it is clear that it was never intended to be pitched to your particular demographic.

Yes, sadly true. I'm not in that particular demographic, and I felt it all the way through the movie. I'm sure Chris did too, even though he's actually below 25. He was still disappointed by the way the movie turned out, probably because in the beginning he felt it was going to be a movie that was aimed at people a little older and more mature than those it was actually made for in the end.

It still irritates me that this movie could have been so much more if they had just put some thought into it. My colleague Rob (who's also well out of the said demographic) had been telling me that he was really looking forward to this movie after seeing the trailer. I'll let him borrow the DVD when I have it. I'm sure he's gonna be disappointed by the end product.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 03 Oct 07 :: 15:23

I do think we'll disagree with the reviewer about the deleted scenes being deleted for the better. I don't see how removing most of Pete's storyline made the movie better. If anything, it made it even more convoluted and muddy. I mean just look at the number of posts on IMDb arguing about Pete's fate.

domesticelefant · 03 Oct 07 :: 15:23

I still have three months to watch it. LOL But well, what I've seen from it so far doesn't seem that convincing ... except Chris, of course.

BiggestChrisMarquetteFan · 04 Oct 07 :: 00:00

Its a really good movie to me. The only reason its awesome is because Chris is in it!!!

TeeJay · 04 Oct 07 :: 00:02

Hey, you're in the under 25 demographic. The movie was made for you. Proves again that the reviewer was dead right. For me the only reason that made it watchable was Chris.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 04 Oct 07 :: 01:14

It's OK that you like it Fan. We understand. I wanted so desperately to like it but once I knew all the Chris stuff that was cut out, and seeing how they completely wrecked his storyline, that kind of ruined it for me. Hopefully, we'll get to see some of these deleted scenes on the DVD.

BiggestChrisMarquetteFan · 04 Oct 07 :: 19:05

I didn't know that they deleted a lot of scenes with Chris in them. They better be on the dvd.

TeeJay · 04 Oct 07 :: 19:09

There were at least three or four scenes with Chris that were deleted. They had pictures on the official site with Chris that never ended up in the movie, like Pete being interrogated by the police and him finding Nick's secret stash of money. There will be deleted scenes on the DVD, but we don't know yet if Chris is in them. He better be!

-TeeJay

domesticelefant · 04 Oct 07 :: 19:12

I hope the scene with dee's money is on the DVD.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 04 Oct 07 :: 19:14

Here you go, Fan. Go read my IMDb post about what was deleted and look at the pictures. You'll see why I, at least, was upset about how the movie turned out:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435670/boa … 1#80756377

We also happen to know that Chris chose to go support Amber Tamblyn at her Stephanie Daley premiere rather than attend the lame low-rent premiere Disney threw for The Invisble on that same night --- a premiere the press was NOT invited to, BTW. What does that tell you?

Illinoisguy1 · 07 Oct 07 :: 11:09

Another DVD review from IGN.

October 2, 2007 - The Invisible is a ghost story about someone who is not quite a ghost... not yet anyway. Brooding, wealthy high school student and aspiring poet Nick Powell (Justin Chatwin) feels invisible to his high society mother (Marcia Gay Harden) and his classmates, save for his dorky pal Pete (Chris Marquette). Nick seals his fate after he confronts thuggish Annie Newton (Margarita Levieva) and her male cronies for shaking down Pete.
After Annie mistakenly believes that Nick ratted her out to the cops, she and her goons find him walking home half-drunk from a party and proceed to beat him senseless. Thinking they've killed him, they dump Nick's body into an underground tunnel in the woods and flee. When he awakens, Nick goes to class but is aghast when his classmates seem to be ignoring him and begin trashing his writing. Nick believes he's a ghost but, unlike Hayley Joel Osment, it turns out no one can really see dead people. But wait! Nick realizes he's not really dead... yet. He is trapped in limbo, unable to be noticed by the living, but not free of this earthly realm as the dead are.
- BV
Justin Chatwin in The Invisible; click for more images!
Nick must somehow get someone to find his unconscious body before he does die from his injuries. How can he do that when he can't be noticed? Or can he? The only person who seems to be able to "hear" him is none other than Annie, the troubled aspiring criminal who nearly murdered him. Nick initially loathes Annie but the more he observes and tracks her, he realizes she is not all bad and is not beyond redemption. Both of their fates depend on whether Annie will do the right thing and lead police to the body of the person that she tried to kill.
Despite an intriguing premise, The Invisible is undone by wooden acting and pedestrian directing. Relying heavily on moody rock music to convey the angst-ridden nature of its young protagonists, Goyer directs the film as if it were an extended music video from the 1990s rather than a supernatural thriller.
The two leads are hit-and-miss. Chatwin gives a one-note, sullen performance as Nick, sleepwalking through the whole film with the same hang-dog look on his face. When he needs to act, he simply screeches and waves his arms at the other characters, which just looks foolish since Nick knows after his first encounter that no one can hear, see or feel him.

Faring somewhat better is Levieva, who has that same sexy but dangerous and vulnerable allure that Angelina Jolie possessed back before she became an established star. Levieva manages to be legitimately intimidating as Annie, no mean feat for an actress who is five-foot-nothing. Once Annie sheds the Spenser: For Hire-style knit cap she's worn through most of the film, Levieva is able to find the more human and sympathetic aspects of her character.
The Invisible plays like a self-indulgent adolescent wish-fulfillment fantasy. "If only I were dead then they'd all miss me and be sorry they weren't nicer to me, and then I could see how much they really loved me." Alas, Nick, you were a boring, glum and self-involved twit. When the most noteworthy thing about you is that you're no longer there, that ain't sayin' much.
Score: 4 out of 10
Video and Presentation
If an invisible DVD is one that you can see directly through, than the Invisible DVD is one that you hardly notice at all. The picture quality here is mid-line at best. Shallow contrast, muddy black levels - slight grain and occasional ghosting. The picture isn't bad, though nor is it good. It's simply...opaque. Not quite invisbile, not quite solid, this is a very average DVD.
Score: 6 out of 10

Languages and Audio
The Dolby Digital 5.1 surround-sound mix gives this DVD a slight advantage over its visuals and fairly unengaging narrative. The audio is, for the most part, clear throughout the dialogue sequences and sufficiently atmospheric in the building of suspense. This lacks the full flourish of an action film or more cleverly-crafted horror film, but there's enough here to mark the audio as the best element of the disc, however much of a compliment that may be.
Score: 7 out of 10

Extras and Packaging
Further proof that the theory that looking at a list of extras can provide a good indication of how a DVD may look or sound runs in the opposite direction, the mid-range picture and audio quality here is the first indication that the extras are likely to be lackluster. Which, of course, they are. Two commentaries and 13 logically-deleted scenes fail to give this disc the required punch to make it a recommended selection. That said, however, the commentaries by director Director David Goyer and writers Christine Roum and Mick Davis are not entirely unintersting, though one wonders why a single writer (in this case Mick Davis) gets his own commentary apart from the others. Either way, the commentaries qualify as better than bad and less than great. Make of that what you will.
As an additional note, the packaging of the DVD sports a front cover that makes this theatrically-release film look like little more than direct-to-DVD thriller.
Score: 6 out of 10
The Bottom Line
So invisible that if I'd seen it, I'd wish I hadn't.
IGN's Ratings for The Invisible
Rating Description
out of 10 click here for ratings guideGet Ratings Information
4 The Movie
See-through.
6 The Video
Opaque.
7 The Audio
Translucent.
6 The Extras
Visible, but not very pretty.
6 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/824/824269p1.html

TheCentralScrutinizer · 07 Oct 07 :: 18:02

Yeah, that cover is cheesy as hell. But at least the little girls who drool over Chatwin will be happy.

TeeJay · 07 Oct 07 :: 18:25

I actually like the DVD cover better than the stupid movie poster with the rain. At least this one's a bit more personal.

-TeeJay

domesticelefant · 07 Oct 07 :: 18:50

TeeJay wrote:

I actually like the DVD cover better than the stupid movie poster with the rain. At least this one's a bit more personal.

Yeah, me too.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 07 Oct 07 :: 19:01

Except it DOES look like a direct to DVD movie like the review said.

domesticelefant · 07 Oct 07 :: 19:10

I can design my own cover if I want.

magicalturkey · 07 Oct 07 :: 19:17

Deb, I just looked at the pictures in your IMDb post and in the picture where Pete is being interrogated by Nick, the way Chris is sitting at the table reminds me of something...

TeeJay · 07 Oct 07 :: 19:23

As far as Germany is concerned, it's like a straight-to-DVD movie. I doubt a lot of people saw it in the theaters. And, I mean, how? They did zero promotion (at least not that I've seen--but then again I never watch German TV), it wasn't in any of the cinema magazines and they didn't even have a German official website for the movie. Wonder if Illinois could find out what it made at the German box office.

Laura, do you mean this pic?

-TeeJay

magicalturkey · 07 Oct 07 :: 19:27

No, actually I meant this one:

Chris Marquette Message Board

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