Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Mar 25, 2012 18:44:29 GMT -5
Plot:A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.
Cast:
Emma Shorey
Molly Harmon
Sophie Stuckey
Daniel Radcliffe
Misha Handley
Jessica Raine
Roger Allam
Lucy May Barker
Indira Ainger
Andy Robb
Ciarán Hinds
Shaun Dooley
Mary Stockley
Alexia Osborne
Alfie Field
My Thoughts:The spectre of "unfulfilled potential". The Woman In Black.
Review:"The Woman In Black" is Hammer's mainstream foree' back into the horror genre. Which was supposed to usher in a new era for "Hammer Horror", specifically. "The Woman In Black" certainly feels like a Hammer horror film. But the problems arise when there's nothing put forth beyond a spooky marshland scenery. And some funny noises. In "The Woman In Black", young lawyer Arthur Kipps (Radcliffe), travels to a remote marshland-village to sort out the estate of a deceased client.
The estate is very gothic-looking. And is surrounded by a foggy marsh. But Kipps also learns from locals that the home is supposedly haunted by a vengeful spirit known as "The Woman In Black". Apparently, whenever she appears, children die. A plot-point made evident at the beginning of the movie when a triple-suicide occurs. Her assault on children is apparently driven by some sort of tragic event that occured when she was alive. And Kipps himself has a tragic past of his own.
He is widowed, after his wife died during child birth. And his appearance on the property, along with the fact that he has a son...has made him "The Woman's" next target. But you know a movie has "issues", when its trailers and tv spots, are creepier and more chilling than the viewing experience of the actual film. "The Woman In Black" never drives the scares or the fear. Instead, it seems to relax while allowing things to just flow freely.
You get the sense watching this film, that James Watkins felt there ws no need to make a bold, strong attempt to frighten the audience when you have a creepy house, a creepy property upon which the house rests upon. And creepy English Villagers who seem to either be staring out the window. Or running into their homes. Everytime Arthur shows up. Maybe they know something he doesn't. Or maybe it was just his goatee that was freaking them out. *shrugs*.
Either way, "The Woman In Black" makes the BIG mistake of being just as boring as you'd expect the main characters job as a lawyer to be. If you think a lawyer going to a countryside estate. And spending days sorting out documents and the like, sounds really boring? Then you would be correct. Except, in this movie...this is the reason why Radcliffe's character is supposed to be at the house.
Now, we're supposed to scare the piss out of him with this "Woman In Black" figure. Hence why this is supposed to be a, wait for it..."horror movie". But not really. Watkins seems to forget to scare the audience in this film. And just relies on cheap scares such as moving shadows, bumps in the night, and likewise. There's honestly not a single "scary" moment within this entire movie. For cripes sake, the hyper-pale-skinned English children were scarier than the titular ''Woman In Black". And even then, so were Ciarin Hinds facial expressions.
But the painful side of this film was that it had an opportunity to actually "be", ''scary". Everything was in place perfectly. The set up, the set pieces, the story. Everything. Instead...we get a movie that goes around in circles, and doesn't even really bother to flesh out its story until the final act where more bits and pieces are revealed about this mysterious "Woman In Black", and what she ultimately wants. Of course by then, most people would've figured it out already.
And even then, there's not enough chills and thrills here for most viewers to care to see the story through to the end. I had a hard time staying awake watching this movie in the early evening! That's how lackluster it was. If "The Woman In Black" wins any awards, it'll be for most uninteresting ghost mystery of 2012. And if that part of the production wasn't bad enough, the ending is a cop out of epic proportions. And mimics a Kevin Costner supernatural drama.
Instead of an actual "horror flick". The Woman In Black herself doesn't even bring her "A" game. She just pops in and out of the film. Not long enough to really do anything of value. But just long enough so Arthur can see her. Then tell his boss (Hinds) about it. Who then turns around and convinces Arthur he's just seeing things. And this cycle repeats itelf about 6 different times. "Sigh".
I have to say though, I am disappointed in Hammer with this film. Perhaps this is just one bad apple. Or maybe, Hammer has bought into the mainstream horror staple. Where "less" is thought of as being "more". Which really only means that you'll pay good money to be bored to death. The worst part of all of this though is Radcliffe's performance.
Honestly, I guess it was okay? But I really couldn't tell too well considering he was stitched into this uncreative and lackluster script and story. Had he been given a better script to work with. With more excitement and real scares. His performance would've been more to take note of. But not here. Overall, "The Woman In Black" is one big "disappearing act".
Positives:The base-story had potential. The films score was creepy and well played.
Negatives:The script was a boring mess. Fails to satisfy on even the most menial level. No chills, thrills, or suspense here. Just fake terror, poorly set-up scare-moments, and a lack of overall direction. And the ending was lazily done.
Overall:One star out of four.