Social Worker Emily Jenkins (Oscar-Winner:Renée Zellweger) is assigned to investigate the family of a 10 year-old Lillith Sullivan (Jodelle Ferland). Since her father (Callum Keith Rennie) and her mother (Kerry O'Malley) might be abusing her physically. Since Lillith is afraid to sleep at night. One late night, Lillith calls Emily to tell her that she is falling asleep and she fears that her life is in danger. Emily and her police detective friend Mike (Ian McShane) finds her parents nearly killing Lillith by cooking her alive in a large oven. Her parents are arrested for attempted murder and possibly have mental problems as well, since they are placed in a mental institution for quite some time. But Lillith wants Emily to adopted her, instead of staying in a group home for children. Emily agrees, she feels a close bong with Lillith but soon... Emily realized this 10 year-old-girl is not what she seems to be, especially people are close to Emily's life are having terrible accidents.
Directed by Christian Alvart (Antibodies, Pandorum) made an interesting, if familiar horror thriller in the style of "The Omen" series. Although "Case 39" tries very hard to be fresh and original. Good performances by Zellweger and Ferland makes this movie worth watching. The picture has an strong supporting cast including Bradley Cooper (Before his leading horror role in "Clive Barker's The Midnight Meat Train") in a memorable death sequence and Adrian Lester. Director Alvart has a flair for visual style and he sometimes makes up for the flawed parts of the picture.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD includes featurettes and over 30 minutes of deleted scenes, which it has an alternative death sequence for the McShane's character (Far more interesting than the theatrical release) and alternative ending (The theatrical ending is much more satisfying). For some reason, "Case 39" had trouble releasing in theaters, it nearly taken three years to be finally released in north America in theaters. Since it already came out different parts of overseas. The movie is certainly better than the poor reputation it received. True, the movie has its shares of flaws early on in the film but it slowly makes up for it. "Case 39" is a good if somewhat been there, done that horror movie. Horror fans will certainly be entertained by this one. Written by Ray Wright (The Crazies "Remake" and Pulse "Remake"). Hawk Scope. (*** ½/*****).
Directed by Christian Alvart (Antibodies, Pandorum) made an interesting, if familiar horror thriller in the style of "The Omen" series. Although "Case 39" tries very hard to be fresh and original. Good performances by Zellweger and Ferland makes this movie worth watching. The picture has an strong supporting cast including Bradley Cooper (Before his leading horror role in "Clive Barker's The Midnight Meat Train") in a memorable death sequence and Adrian Lester. Director Alvart has a flair for visual style and he sometimes makes up for the flawed parts of the picture.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD includes featurettes and over 30 minutes of deleted scenes, which it has an alternative death sequence for the McShane's character (Far more interesting than the theatrical release) and alternative ending (The theatrical ending is much more satisfying). For some reason, "Case 39" had trouble releasing in theaters, it nearly taken three years to be finally released in north America in theaters. Since it already came out different parts of overseas. The movie is certainly better than the poor reputation it received. True, the movie has its shares of flaws early on in the film but it slowly makes up for it. "Case 39" is a good if somewhat been there, done that horror movie. Horror fans will certainly be entertained by this one. Written by Ray Wright (The Crazies "Remake" and Pulse "Remake"). Hawk Scope. (*** ½/*****).