| GHOSTLY MANOR:
From the moment you first step inside this high-startle complex, there's
not a single minute’s peace from assaulting animatronics, and gruesome,
stalking monsters! Frightening music welcomes you through the front
door, where Fluffy the dog naps quietly in his doghouse, and the
first of an infinite number of sudden, unexpected surprises catches you
completely off guard! Strange, unexplained happenings have already
begun to unfold. Shutters bang loudly, doors open and close on their
own, and cabinets follow suit. Mechanical skeletons and other creatures,
both living and dead, spring to life from underneath chairs, out of suitcases,
behind window shutters, beneath the satin linings of caskets, and just
about every place imaginable! Even the walls come to life!
This place really IS haunted! Innocent portraits, and secret wall
panels yield to horrific surprises, with more of the same from bedrooms,
bathrooms, and nurseries. Skulls and skeletons shoot up from beds
and bassinets, and a giant rat twitches its tail, as it gobbles up whatever
crumbs, leftovers and body parts it can find on a kitchen countertop!
Metal floors violently vibrate beneath your feet, bookcases move and shake
on their own, and an onslaught of spooks spring forth from closets, out
of refrigerators, and every dark corner known to man! An enormous,
caged Impaler (13’ tall, bellowing animated monster!) resides in the depths
of The Manor, clutching the torn remnants of his latest victim in
his hands, and dangling the lifeless body above the bones of those that
preceded him. Gigantic bats, body bags, tight corridors lined with
moving skeletons that reach out and grab at you, and chained, thrashing
coffins, lead to a morgue, and ultimately, a confrontation with Pinhead,
who guards the one and only escape from the evil spirits that dwell inside
this haunted estate, known as Ghostly Manor.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 7½, Between 10 and 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 9, Fantastic make-up resulting in the creation
of some uniquely appalling characters. Crew could stand to be a bit
more aggressive. Energy is high, screams are loud and frightening,
but would benefit from some closer, more intimidating encounters.
SCARINESS - 9½, Traditionally spooky (and loud)
soundtrack, "haunted" doors and shutters, etc., and tons of mechanical
surprises have maximized their input. Rest is up to the actors.
DESIGN - 9, Meticulously decorated rooms - precisely
what you'd expect to discover in a genuine haunted house! Great while
it lasts, just a little on the short side. On the down side, nothing
much has changed, and not too much has been added. Pinhead finish
is somewhat anticlimactic.
PROPS - 10, An overwhelming number of perfectly placed
animatronics delivering plenty of face to face encounters, complimented
by appropriately scary static décor. Detailing of rooms is
remarkable! Timing was slightly off on a few of the pneumatics, while
a couple of others were malfunctioning, or not working at all, but a handful
out of hundreds is pretty impressive.
VALUE - 9, Simply an awesome attraction, limited only
by its short duration.
RATING: 9, One of the best Haunted Houses
in existence ANYPLACE, showcasing state of the art technology, and fully
accessible to the handicapped! You owe it to yourself to experience
Ghostly
Manor live, and in person! |
