Review of The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising (2007) by Ana M — 11 Aug 2010

When those ultimate of fantasy book series, J.R.R. Tolkien?s The Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling?s Harry Potter, became unstoppable movie franchises, H'Wood execs rushed to find their next potential Hobbit or boy wizard. One of the franchises greenlit proved to be Susan Cooper?s The Dark is Rising Sequence. Comparing The Seeker with Tolkien or Rowling, though not apples and oranges, is an unfair evaluation?for the simple reason that no two billion dollar snowflakes are alike. Well-intentioned and mildly entertaining, The Seeker is slightly better than audiences would ever suspect?but lacks those unique X-factors which make sensational cinema.

In this PG-rated fantasy adaptation, a young man (Ludwig) discovers that he is the last of a group of immortals dedicated to fighting a dark unimaginable evil.

Despite his limited resume, director David L. Cunnigham makes the material seem more exciting than it actually is. With some inspired takes and choice cinematography, Cunningham keeps the simple story a-going. And by ?simple,? this reviewer means the following: The good guys use light as their weapon of choice and the bad guys come disguised as clouds of darkness?that?s that. The all-important issue of casting, however, creates a bit of a problem. Ludwig, though a fine young actor, proves less than compelling in the lead role. His All American-ness seems more appropriate for The Apple Dumpling Gang than as an immortal who saves the world. Moviegoers like their unlikely young heroes looking as everyman as Bilbo (Elijah Wood) or Harry (Daniel Radcliffe)?not Rolfe from The Sound of Music.

Bottom line: The Dark is Reeking.