Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
3/4
Starring: Bailee Madison, Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Jack Thompson
Rated R for Violence and Terror
"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" does exactly what it sets out to do: chill viewers for 99 minutes. This is a creepy monster movie that will cause the hairs on everyone's back to stand up. It's not particularly ambitious, nor does it take any chances, but it is effective.
Sally (Madison) has just been shipped off to New England to live with her father Alex (Pearce) and his business partner/girlfriend, Kim (Holmes). She's uncommunicative with her father and borderline hostile towards Kim. Things change when Sally discovers a basement to the house that Alex and Kim have been refurbishing. It gives the three of them a chance to bond, although that doesn't last long when Sally begins to realize that there are creatures living underneath the house and they want something from her.
The film is solid, but not spectacular, on all fronts. The performances are effective. Each actor has their stiff moments, but for the most part they're good. Young Bailee Madison is quite good as the young girl who is first curious about the voices coming from the grate, then horrified when she realizes what their true motives are. It's a lot to ask of a young actress to carry an entire movie on their shoulders, but Madison does it with few awkward moments. Also good is Katie Holmes. Although she has a few weak moments in the beginning, she becomes a real woman that I cared about. Kim believes Sally when no one else does. Sadly, Guy Pearce isn't as strong as he usually is. He's coasting on his charisma as the overworked father who is procrastinating dealing with the increasingly terrifying situation until the house gets put on the cover of an architecture magazine. Still, it's probably impossible for him to give a truly bad performance.
Guillermo del Toro produced this film, and his influence is felt when one gets a good look at the creatures (director Troy Nixey doesn't show them until about halfway through the film, using the "Jaws" rule). Although not as creative or creepy as the creatures that del Toro has featured in his movies, the creature design gets the job done. These guys are creepy. And it helps that the CGI is convincing.
The problem, in so much that there is a problem, is that the film settles for merely being good when there are hints of greatness to be found here. There are a number of truly chilling sequences in the film (one takes place in a bed and the other in the foyer), and some scenes are actually moving. Had Nixey been willing to take a few chances, this film might have really been something. He certainly has the talent for it.
Starring: Bailee Madison, Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Jack Thompson
Rated R for Violence and Terror
"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" does exactly what it sets out to do: chill viewers for 99 minutes. This is a creepy monster movie that will cause the hairs on everyone's back to stand up. It's not particularly ambitious, nor does it take any chances, but it is effective.
Sally (Madison) has just been shipped off to New England to live with her father Alex (Pearce) and his business partner/girlfriend, Kim (Holmes). She's uncommunicative with her father and borderline hostile towards Kim. Things change when Sally discovers a basement to the house that Alex and Kim have been refurbishing. It gives the three of them a chance to bond, although that doesn't last long when Sally begins to realize that there are creatures living underneath the house and they want something from her.
The film is solid, but not spectacular, on all fronts. The performances are effective. Each actor has their stiff moments, but for the most part they're good. Young Bailee Madison is quite good as the young girl who is first curious about the voices coming from the grate, then horrified when she realizes what their true motives are. It's a lot to ask of a young actress to carry an entire movie on their shoulders, but Madison does it with few awkward moments. Also good is Katie Holmes. Although she has a few weak moments in the beginning, she becomes a real woman that I cared about. Kim believes Sally when no one else does. Sadly, Guy Pearce isn't as strong as he usually is. He's coasting on his charisma as the overworked father who is procrastinating dealing with the increasingly terrifying situation until the house gets put on the cover of an architecture magazine. Still, it's probably impossible for him to give a truly bad performance.
Guillermo del Toro produced this film, and his influence is felt when one gets a good look at the creatures (director Troy Nixey doesn't show them until about halfway through the film, using the "Jaws" rule). Although not as creative or creepy as the creatures that del Toro has featured in his movies, the creature design gets the job done. These guys are creepy. And it helps that the CGI is convincing.
The problem, in so much that there is a problem, is that the film settles for merely being good when there are hints of greatness to be found here. There are a number of truly chilling sequences in the film (one takes place in a bed and the other in the foyer), and some scenes are actually moving. Had Nixey been willing to take a few chances, this film might have really been something. He certainly has the talent for it.
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