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A remake of a 1973 TV movie "Don't Be Afraid of The
Dark" is an atmospheric thriller that doesn't quite deliver
on the its promise but still manages to be entertaining
even if it is a tad contrived. Co-writers Guillermo Del
Toro and Matthew Robbins use the original TV movie as the
primary basis for this new version (although uncredited
the 1973 script written by Nigel McKeand was reportedly
based on H. P. Lovecraft's "The Rats in the Walls")altering
the dynamic of the original script which didn't use a child
as the main focus of the TV movie.***
Co-producer Guillermo Del Toro ("Hellboy", "Chronos",
"Pan's Labyrinth")and co-writer Matthew Robbins ("Dragonslayer",
"*batteries not included")along with first time director
Troy Nixey create an impressive looking movie with some
strong performances particularly from Baliee Madison. The
main problem with "Don't Be Afriad of the Dark" is that
despite the impressive production design, acting talent
and moody photography "Don't Be Afraid of The Dark" isn't
very scary.***
Sally (Madison) is a little girl who feels lost as
she's shuffled off to live with her father Alex (Guy Pearce)and
Alex's girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) who specialize in renovating
older, dilapited mansions. Sally discovers there are creatures
living in the Blackwood home that abduct children.***
Unfortunately Pearce isn't given much to work with as
Alex who primarily comes across as a twit and Katie Holmes
character of Kim although written a bit more sympathetically
doesn't have much depth either.***
Image & Sound:
The Blu-ray looks marvelous with a nicely detailed,
moody presentation of the film. Skin tones are solid thorughout.
Blacks are solid throughout and given that this is such
a dark, moody looking film that's a good thing.***
Audio is very active particularly during the scenes
where the little monsters attack with a nice DTS 5.1 lossless
presentation.***
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