Review of The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) by John S — 22 Sep 2018
SMASHING PUMPKINS.
With horror master Eli Roth stuffing the director's chair, there should be a foreboding dread throughout this totally innocent family fare. But it never develops. Which is quite the surprise. And that is good.
Witches and warlocks and haunted houses: the fantasy film marks are checked. A pre-teen orphaned misfit thrust into a magical kingdom battle of good versus evil in post war America, is on the menu here. And though it does slip into sappy territory, the movie with the long name works in that old fashioned Disney way.
The characters are over the top colourful. The sets are meticulously complex. The plot bounces along at a steady pace. And most importantly, Jack Black and Cate Blanchett are superbly snippy as adults in charge of our young hero. In spite of some silly CGI moments, like attacking jack-o'-lanterns, "The House With a Clock in It's Walls" works because of the strutting leads, obviously enjoying the freedom to have some fun on set.
Not great, but not bad.
- hipCRANK.
This review of The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) was written by John S on 22 Sep 2018.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls has generally received mixed reviews.
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