Review of The Haunting (1999) by R.j. L — 23 Oct 2009

While clunky, misguided and at sometimes overblown Jan de Bont's "The Haunting" somehow works despite major flaws and comes out on top to be terrifying and mysterious. But what amazed me the most about this film was it's amazing visuals and little ques to old school horror classics like "House on the Haunted Hill"(1959), The original Robert Wise directed "The Haunting"(1963), which inspired this remake, and "House of Wax"(1953). But what really makes this horror flick enjoyable is how effective it is at being good and at being so bad it's good at the same time, "The Haunting" works.

It's not as great as the original horror machine that inspired it, but this 1999 remake of the Robert Wise classic does give you some efficient thrills and chills for your money. But the awkward performances from the supporting cast(Wilson, Taylor and Zeta-Jones) may disenchant you and make you believe less and less that this is a straight out horror film and not a horror comedy. Which is what many will believe at first but then be reassured by the terrifying visuals and the jump out at you moments. "The Haunting" is not a great in the genre but it does have it's enjoyable quirks and charms to it, and while the story is intriguing and the plot somewhat solid but this film relies more visual thrills than actual horror effects which is good and all but that doesn't make it a true to blue classic.

Lili Taylor(Who I don't like for good reasons) is the major eyesore in this picture with her very poor performance and overacting. Taylor tries and fails miserably to give a strong and worthy performance but all we get instead is her mousy little girls voice yelling at ghoulish figurines and looking not so scared Taylor is a waste in this and woefully miscast in a role that should have gone to a stronger actress. Cathrine Zeta-Jones is alright, but much like Taylor her amazing talent is squandered here. But there are some parts that Zeta-Jones really shines and that I will give her credit for. Owen Wilson,an amazing comedian but not so much an amazing horror star, is the second eyesore in this horror flick but not as much as Taylor which is good , and then it's not. Wilson is good at comedy and dramedies but horror isn't a field he's very well suited for and ti shows in his performance. But Wilson isn't a total loss and that saves him from being a casualty of miscasting. Liam Neeson is the savior of this film and the only perfect casting out of the rest Neeson is high class in this and really raises the bar for this film bringing up from corny to worthwhile. The cast, well most of them, is woefully miscast and drag along at some points through out the film but for the most part they do there jobs and make this a very enjoyable and sometimes chilling thrill ride.

It's not great, it's not bad, it's not a total waste of time but it could have been majorly better than what it was. But I will say this on it's behalf it is enjoyable and it does give you what you want and then at sometimes it doesn't . But "The Haunting" is efficient horror machine and may not make any top ten list but it sure will entertain and thrill.