Review of The Box (2009) by Thomas W — 13 Nov 2011

Perhaps my expectations had been lowered after reading countless scathing/WTF reviews/opinions of this film; but I did not mind it in the least. And, oddly, I rather enjoyed it. If one views it after watching its trailer and therefore expects it to simply be a drama, they will be surprised to find that there is a very large science fiction element to The Box.

I think that needed to be addressed a bit more in the trailer because I think the movie turns out to be more cerebral than people want it to be. It is a mindbending, warped film ... but it plays smoothly and it is very straight-forward.

The somber, melancholy soundtrack was also nice and sets an excellent tone for the film (it made me think of Lost in a sense ... the "deep" scenes with a character pondering life on the island -- it sounded quite similar).

The premise couldn't be any more basic -- a couple is presented with a box with a button on it and told: press the button and get a million dollars, but if you do, someone -- someone you do NOT know -- will die somewhere in the world.

It is that easy. The couple has 24 hours to decide what to do. Do you press the button? It is a moral question and the movie delves into morality of the human race. It may perhaps have a few preachy scenes; but I think they had to be included to fit with the film.

This is Richard Kelly's third film -- him of Donnie Darko fame. I loved his first film and didn't care so much for his second, Southland Tales. I thought that movie had some great elements and moments to it; but it went south quickly and the last half of it turned into dredge.

I think The Box is a promising effort by him. It was very structured and simplistic. I think it could have easily ran off of the rails but it didn't (there were a few moments it teetered on the brink; but Kelly reeled it back in).

The Box wasn't bad ... as long as you don't expect too much out of it at the beginning. Watch it with an open-mind and you might be pleased with what you get. Oh -- and FYI ... there are some aliens in the movie so it is "that kind" of sci-fi.

People who hate alien movies WILL hate The Box.