[a] great thing this movie has going for it is the involvement of Amblin Entertainment. The film has that old school feel of an Amblin property while feeling incredibly fresh. It’s not going to be as universally beloved as E.T. or Jurassic Park but much like films like Gremlins or The Goonies, this movie has a charm that will have an impact with a certain age group. If I were 10 years old I would most likely love this movie.
'House' is a great kid-friendly horror film. It may not be for all age groups but for some, this will be a fun introduction to the genre. Going into this movie I was not expecting much, but this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It shows that Eli Roth is a gifted filmmaker beyond shocking his audience with violence.
What makes the pic stand out is the way Roth brings the house to life. Black and Blanchett are more than game as the leads of the film, but the house itself is imbued with plenty of spark and personality. In one scene at his elementary school, Lewis is told by one of his new classmates that his home is nicknamed “the Slaughterhouse,” but what it’s really reminiscent of is the Disneyland theme-park attraction the Haunted Mansion. Though there’s no stretching room or floating medium, the titular house is full of the kinds of off-kilter details that feel right at home in the attraction. Here, more than in any attempts to create jump scares, Roth and his production team have excelled. (There are jump scares in the film, to be clear. Unfortunately, none of them work.)
Though the film was produced by Amblin Entertainment, Roth makes it work by hearkening back well before the 1980s or even the 1950s, during which it is set. When this pic is at its best, it’s because it feels decidedly old-fashioned and off-kilter. The charmingly quaint aesthetic of The House With a Clock in its Walls doesn’t feel like something Roth would pull off, but this effort suggests he’s got some tricks up his sleeve.
In many ways, [Roth]'s successful. The movie looks amazing, with fantastical touches that evoke wizardry both pre- and post-Harry Potter. And the adult leads — a very round Jack Black and a very vertical Cate Blanchett — have a wonderful time together.
But do we have a wonderful time?
Yes...and no. The movie is never boring and everyone works hard. But the overall effect is repetitive, i.e., quirkiness followed by more quirkiness. Plainly put, the thing just doesn’t build.
But that brings us back to the movie’s problematic core, i.e., just who is its audience? Well, arrested-development adults (of which I count myself one). Otherwise, it’s probably too scary for little kids and not quite scary enough for older ones.
'House' is a great kid-friendly horror film. It may not be for all age groups but for some, this will be a fun introduction to the genre. Going into this movie I was not expecting much, but this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It shows that Eli Roth is a gifted filmmaker beyond shocking his audience with violence.
John Dotson
Hidden Remote
What makes the pic stand out is the way Roth brings the house to life. Black and Blanchett are more than game as the leads of the film, but the house itself is imbued with plenty of spark and personality. In one scene at his elementary school, Lewis is told by one of his new classmates that his home is nicknamed “the Slaughterhouse,” but what it’s really reminiscent of is the Disneyland theme-park attraction the Haunted Mansion. Though there’s no stretching room or floating medium, the titular house is full of the kinds of off-kilter details that feel right at home in the attraction. Here, more than in any attempts to create jump scares, Roth and his production team have excelled. (There are jump scares in the film, to be clear. Unfortunately, none of them work.)
Though the film was produced by Amblin Entertainment, Roth makes it work by hearkening back well before the 1980s or even the 1950s, during which it is set. When this pic is at its best, it’s because it feels decidedly old-fashioned and off-kilter. The charmingly quaint aesthetic of The House With a Clock in its Walls doesn’t feel like something Roth would pull off, but this effort suggests he’s got some tricks up his sleeve.
Josh Spiegel
Hollwwood Reporter
In many ways, [Roth]'s successful. The movie looks amazing, with fantastical touches that evoke wizardry both pre- and post-Harry Potter. And the adult leads — a very round Jack Black and a very vertical Cate Blanchett — have a wonderful time together.
But do we have a wonderful time?
Yes...and no. The movie is never boring and everyone works hard. But the overall effect is repetitive, i.e., quirkiness followed by more quirkiness. Plainly put, the thing just doesn’t build.
But that brings us back to the movie’s problematic core, i.e., just who is its audience? Well, arrested-development adults (of which I count myself one). Otherwise, it’s probably too scary for little kids and not quite scary enough for older ones.
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Saporta Report
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