Imagine a kid/family-friendly fantasy thriller that doesn’t bore parents to death….
(Come to think of it, I saw adults jumping several in their seats during our screening.)
That’s what we get from THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS, based on John Bellairs popular 1973 novel.
It’s also worth noting that director Eli Roth has surrounded himself here with worthy players—the type we usually don’t associate with films of this nature.
There’s eccentric uncle Jonathan who lives in this creepy, old mansion down the street. He’s played to the hilt by Jack Black. (and as we eventually find out he is also a warlock).
And there’s whimsical neighbor lady (or is she?), Mrs. Zimmerman, who also seems to have a penchant for magic. She’s portrayed by Cate Blanchett.
Into this rather bizarre 1953 setting moves 10 year old orphan boy Lewis. He’s nicely played by Owen Vaccaro. All he really wants is a normal childhood with his uncle.
What he gets instead is a secret world aligned with witches, warlocks and hell-spewing pumpkins among other devilish surprises.
“Things are quite different here!”
Truer words were never spoken, as fantastical creatures are unleashed and a Halloween trip to the local cemetery raises more than just the secret world of the dead.
And what of the ever-present ticking clock that controls…..
Oops, almost went into spoiler territory – and that’s a definite no-no!
I DO want to stress that the filmmakers here have kept the hex to a PG level.
No need for graphic violence in THIS thriller.
The scares are accomplished instead the old fashioned way, through solid visual effects and via the picture’s soundtrack.
Bottom line: An all-ages Halloween Fest….that is if the kids are at least within the 8 to 10 age level.
My only real criticism of the film is that it fails to fully sustain itself through its 105 minutes running time.
It seems to lose its focus towards the end.
That said, I’ll admit that the movie exceeded my expectations to the extent that I’m recommending it as one of the better Halloween entries of recent years.
With a solid supporting cast, including Kyle MacLachlan and Colleen Camp, I’m bestowing a B grade on THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS.
‘Jack Goes To The Movies’ Friday mornings during Kansas City’s Morning News at 9:50 a.m. on 98.1 FM, KMBZ.
