Review of Mama (2013) by Gary S — 03 Jan 2014

This movie has a few creep moments, but is so full of unreconstructed cliches, missed opportunities, and lazy plot contrivances, that it soon loses its momentum. The ending trashes every ounce of mystery in favour of prosaic CGI and entirely unconvincing attempts to pull heartstrings.

I just can't understand how a reasonably talented creative team can agree on allowing so many things to undermine the impact. And why didn't the ghost of the girl's actual murdered mother feel like sorting 'unfinished business' as well? She had a more unjust end than'Mama', with more reason to turn up.

Overall, a generally entertaining start that gradually turns into something between a Harry Potter outtake and a bad Marilyn Manson pop video.