Pagemaster

UPC: 024543034902

Studio: 20th Century Fox

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:[Suitable for Children]

Summary: A young boy overcomes his obsessive fears by discovering a love for books in this animated fantasy adventure. In a live action wraparound, Macaulay Culkin stars as Richard Tyler, an easily bullied, nervous wreck of a kid who's an expert on safety statistics. His mother and father (Mel Harris and Ed Begley, Jr.) don't know how to inspire their son to embrace life boldly. Barely able to leave the house, Richard ventures out one day, but he gets lost in a storm and ends up at a mysterious library. Inside, he slips, knocks himself unconscious and finds himself in a cartoon realm where books come to life. Guided by Adventure (Patrick Stewart), Fantasy (Whoopi Goldberg) and Horror (Frank Welker), Tyler experiences the adventures of classic novels such as Moby Dick and Treasure Island, and he even meets some famed fictional characters, such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Leonard Nimoy). Through his experiences in the pages of the legendary books, Richard confronts his phobias and learns to face life more courageously. The Pagemaster was directed by Joe Johnston, a former special effects supervisor and production designer who later directed Jumanji (1995) and October Sky (1999). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Category: Adventure

Features: ccFeaturette
"Dream Away" music video
Theatrical trailers
Anamorphic widescreen (Aspect ratio 1.85:1) and pan & scan versions
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Pagemaster

Format: DVD

Release Date: 05/28/2002

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 75 Minutes

Sides: 2

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 -- The Pagemaster [WS]
1. Main Titles [3:46]
2. Afraid [4:08]
3. The Library [2:17]
4. An Illustration [2:34]
5. Adventure [3:58]
6. Fantasy [2:32]
7. Horror [:47]
8. To the Exit [2:49]
9. Captain Ahab [7:18]
10. Pirates [:46]
11. Treasure Island [2:09]
12. The Library Card [3:03]
13. The Dragon [3:30]
14. Swallowed Whole [:44]
15. The Pagemaster [5:13]
16. Back to the Present [2:49]
17. He's Home [2:48]
18. End Titles [5:44]
Side #2 -- The Pagemaster [P&S]
1. Main Titles [3:46]
2. Afraid [4:08]
3. The Library [2:17]
4. An Illustration [2:34]
5. Adventure [3:58]
6. Fantasy [2:32]
7. Horror [:47]
8. To the Exit [2:49]
9. Captain Ahab [7:18]
10. Pirates [:46]
11. Treasure Island [2:09]
12. The Library Card [3:03]
13. The Dragon [3:30]
14. Swallowed Whole [:44]
15. The Pagemaster [5:13]
16. Back to the Present [2:49]
17. He's Home [2:48]
18. End Titles [5:44]

Craig Butler

Given a fairly negative critical reception upon its initial release, The Pagemaster is actually a more-than-passable mixture of live action and animation with a fair number of high points. While the filmmakers may be presenting the message of their movie -- essentially, that reading is a good thing -- in a fairly obvious and banal manner, it does serve as a smooth way of introducing children to some of the exciting characters that can be found in classic literature. It also features excellent voice work, especially from Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg. Stewart seems to be enjoying himself a great deal, bringing an enthusiasm and energy to his work that is a change of pace from his usually more restrained approach. Goldberg is Goldberg, full of sass and vinegar and always ready with a quip. Macaulay Culkin is less annoying than in many of his other films, probably because his mannerisms are naturally minimized when the character becomes animated. On the downside, the story is rushed and not as compelling as it should be; much of it lacks the magic and sparkle that the situation demands and it has episodes rather than a real plot. Although most of the animation is just middling, there are a couple of impressive moments, such as the initial "meltdown" sequence in which Culkin becomes animated and the segment involving a dragon. Pagemaster's quality varies, but there's more than enough there to satisfy children. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Brandon McKay  Actor 
ad Pixote  Actor 
Alexis Kirschner  Actor 
Phil Hartman  Actor 
Charles Fleischer  Actor 
George Hearn  Actor 
B.J. Ward  Actor 
Jessica Kirschner  Actor 
Ed Gilbert  Actor 
Christopher Lloyd  Actor 
Jim Cummings  Actor 
Dorian Harewood  Actor 
Robert Picardo  Actor 
James Horner  Composer (Music Score) 
Joe Johnston  Director 
David Kirschner  Producer 
David Kirschner  Screenwriter 
Michael R. Joyce  Producer 
David Casci  Screenwriter 
Ernie Contreras  Screenwriter 
Paul Gertz  Producer 
Macaulay Culkin  Actor 
Christopher Lloyd  Actor 
Ed Begley, Jr.  Actor 
Mel Harris  Actor 
Patrick Stewart  Actor 
Whoopi Goldberg  Actor 
Frank Welker  Actor 
Leonard Nimoy  Actor 

Country: USA