The House with a Clock in Its Walls
(C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
Looking for another Hocus Pocus-like Halloween kids classic, I walked into 'The House with a Clock in Its Walls' (directed by horror film director Eli Roth - weird mix, huh!?) with hope of being entertained. My reaction: while it contains plenty of goofy, trick-or-treat style hijinks and, though I enjoyed the first Act & the last Act, most of the middle hour was a drag. Based on author John Bellairs' classic children's novel set in 1955, the film introduces us to newly-orphaned 10 yr. old Lewis Barnavelt (adorable Owen Vaccaro; reminding me a bit of another young talent, Jacob Tremblay), who is sent to live in (fictional) New Zebedee, Michigan with his estranged Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in his creepy old Victorian mansion.
As it turns out, eccentric Uncle Jonathan is a mediocre but well-intentioned warlock, while his next-door neighbor/best friend Florence Zimmerman is a powerful, but good witch. Said mansion was previously inhabited by Isaac & Selena Izard (Kyle MacLachlan, Renee Elise Goldsberry), a sinister couple who constructed a powerful bring-about-the-end-of-the-world clock that is hidden within the walls of the house where it eternally ticks away. Murphy's Law enters the fray when young aspiring warlock Lewis attempts to raise the dead in the local cemetery on Halloween & accidentally releases Isaac Izard from his tomb. Izard & a gaggle of fantastical creatures are soon unleashed to wreak havoc on the sleepy town. And so, with the aid of hapless Uncle Jonathan & cool-as-a-cucumber Mrs. Zimmerman, young Lewis must summon his courage to overcome the supernatural forces of evil that threaten to bring Doomsday to the whole world.
As I mentioned above, the mediocre, meandering midsection of this film realllly dampened my enjoyment of an otherwise charming kid-friendly spook-fest. Director Eli Roth's first crack at family-friendly flicks {and not bloody, gory horror films} contains jussssst enough thrills & humor to entertain the youngins; though, most adults may be looking at their watches. Jack Black & Cate Blanchett are amusing; trading digs, barbs, & bickering away in delightful fashion -- all in pursuit of keeping Lewis safe & sound amid the present dangers. Blanchett is obviously a skilled dramatic thespian, but it's always refreshing to see her comedic skills at play, too. Jack Black, hot on the heels of Jumanji & Goosebumps, provides his typically hammy brand of entertainment; for the most part, he hits the right notes. And Owen Vaccaro is wholly believable as a timid, endearingly nerdy orphan who hopes to fit in at a new home & school. The 3 leads' chemistry makes the film work.
'THWACIIW' is technically well made (creepy sets/costumes/make-up, eerie music, some effective visual effects). There are a few memorable sequences. The one that stands out would be the 'fight against the angry pumpkins' -- it's just a SLIMY fun time; and watching Blanchett wield her glowing purple magic wand at them is a hoot. Now, some scary moments might be too much for young kiddies to handle. However ... nothing compares to the wonderfully sinister 'kids' films that were made back in the 1980s & 90s. I maintain that this movie really runs out of steam in that lengthy midsection before picking back up for the rousing, absurdly over-the-top climax. And the story is convoluted; making increasingly little sense as it goes. But overall, 'THWACIIW' has its low-key charms & is a serviceable entry FOR KIDS in the Halloween movie canon.
As it turns out, eccentric Uncle Jonathan is a mediocre but well-intentioned warlock, while his next-door neighbor/best friend Florence Zimmerman is a powerful, but good witch. Said mansion was previously inhabited by Isaac & Selena Izard (Kyle MacLachlan, Renee Elise Goldsberry), a sinister couple who constructed a powerful bring-about-the-end-of-the-world clock that is hidden within the walls of the house where it eternally ticks away. Murphy's Law enters the fray when young aspiring warlock Lewis attempts to raise the dead in the local cemetery on Halloween & accidentally releases Isaac Izard from his tomb. Izard & a gaggle of fantastical creatures are soon unleashed to wreak havoc on the sleepy town. And so, with the aid of hapless Uncle Jonathan & cool-as-a-cucumber Mrs. Zimmerman, young Lewis must summon his courage to overcome the supernatural forces of evil that threaten to bring Doomsday to the whole world.
As I mentioned above, the mediocre, meandering midsection of this film realllly dampened my enjoyment of an otherwise charming kid-friendly spook-fest. Director Eli Roth's first crack at family-friendly flicks {and not bloody, gory horror films} contains jussssst enough thrills & humor to entertain the youngins; though, most adults may be looking at their watches. Jack Black & Cate Blanchett are amusing; trading digs, barbs, & bickering away in delightful fashion -- all in pursuit of keeping Lewis safe & sound amid the present dangers. Blanchett is obviously a skilled dramatic thespian, but it's always refreshing to see her comedic skills at play, too. Jack Black, hot on the heels of Jumanji & Goosebumps, provides his typically hammy brand of entertainment; for the most part, he hits the right notes. And Owen Vaccaro is wholly believable as a timid, endearingly nerdy orphan who hopes to fit in at a new home & school. The 3 leads' chemistry makes the film work.
'THWACIIW' is technically well made (creepy sets/costumes/make-up, eerie music, some effective visual effects). There are a few memorable sequences. The one that stands out would be the 'fight against the angry pumpkins' -- it's just a SLIMY fun time; and watching Blanchett wield her glowing purple magic wand at them is a hoot. Now, some scary moments might be too much for young kiddies to handle. However ... nothing compares to the wonderfully sinister 'kids' films that were made back in the 1980s & 90s. I maintain that this movie really runs out of steam in that lengthy midsection before picking back up for the rousing, absurdly over-the-top climax. And the story is convoluted; making increasingly little sense as it goes. But overall, 'THWACIIW' has its low-key charms & is a serviceable entry FOR KIDS in the Halloween movie canon.