Must a movie be great to be good? This movie confirms, no! Instead of quality, I invite more filmmakers to have the genius to invite Owen Wilson to the cast of their horror films.
This is not a good movie. This did not impede my enjoyment of the film. The pros: A young and gorgeous Catherine Zeta Jones playing a bisexual while fabulously dressed. Late 90s visual effects so bad they were comical (yes this is a plus). A fascinating set. Owen Wilson experiencing a haunting while running about talking like Owen Wilson. And I can not sell enough how entertainingly his story concludes.
The cons: Again, very cheesy late 90s effects (its a good and a bad). A very unnecessary twist to the original story. Ghost children??? "Family." The house haunts us very physically, instead of psychologically as the original did.
As a warning, this movie fails its original in countless ways . One of the most famous scenes of the original, the hand holding sequence, seemed to be added just to prove it was sticking w/ some of the original story. Nell in this also seems to go insane due to the outside forces of the house as opposed to her own mental turmoil. It also suffers from a serious case of showing instead of telling. Where the original used camera work, sound editing and atmosphere this one definitely chose instead to use over the top CG effects.
But that pro list is no joke. Owen Wilson delivers a line in his first minute of being introduced that had me in hysterics it was so funny. He explores this deeply cursed house, delivering his classic "wow!" and somehow it does not get old. I do not think it was at all intentional how funny this casting decision was, but it was a master stroke.
Catherine Zeta Jones also had no right to be as good in this as she was. She was not our main character and yet her character's concern and fear and ultimate sorrow is truly to me the heart of the film. Our lead goes frantically seeking out the mysteries of Hill House despite the danger on the behest of ghost children (???) and Zeta Jones goes chasing after her, trying her absolute best to keep her safe. All while in a stunning wardrobe, looking beyond amazing and proudly flaunting her bisexuality. Where the first film did a great job alluding to Theo being a lesbian, this version pulled no punches. Sadly, I will say they did not play up Nell's mutual interest in Theo. Zeta Jones certainly did her best to add some romantic tension but it doesn't really see any development past initial hinting.
None the less, this movie has it's charm. If you enjoy horror movies, both scary and hokey, this one certainly fulfills the later and its worth a watch for its comedic value if nothing else! Please, take the time to watch Owen Wilson reacting to ghosts.
This is not a good movie. This did not impede my enjoyment of the film. The pros: A young and gorgeous Catherine Zeta Jones playing a bisexual while fabulously dressed. Late 90s visual effects so bad they were comical (yes this is a plus). A fascinating set. Owen Wilson experiencing a haunting while running about talking like Owen Wilson. And I can not sell enough how entertainingly his story concludes.
The cons: Again, very cheesy late 90s effects (its a good and a bad). A very unnecessary twist to the original story. Ghost children??? "Family." The house haunts us very physically, instead of psychologically as the original did.
As a warning, this movie fails its original in countless ways . One of the most famous scenes of the original, the hand holding sequence, seemed to be added just to prove it was sticking w/ some of the original story. Nell in this also seems to go insane due to the outside forces of the house as opposed to her own mental turmoil. It also suffers from a serious case of showing instead of telling. Where the original used camera work, sound editing and atmosphere this one definitely chose instead to use over the top CG effects.
But that pro list is no joke. Owen Wilson delivers a line in his first minute of being introduced that had me in hysterics it was so funny. He explores this deeply cursed house, delivering his classic "wow!" and somehow it does not get old. I do not think it was at all intentional how funny this casting decision was, but it was a master stroke.
Catherine Zeta Jones also had no right to be as good in this as she was. She was not our main character and yet her character's concern and fear and ultimate sorrow is truly to me the heart of the film. Our lead goes frantically seeking out the mysteries of Hill House despite the danger on the behest of ghost children (???) and Zeta Jones goes chasing after her, trying her absolute best to keep her safe. All while in a stunning wardrobe, looking beyond amazing and proudly flaunting her bisexuality. Where the first film did a great job alluding to Theo being a lesbian, this version pulled no punches. Sadly, I will say they did not play up Nell's mutual interest in Theo. Zeta Jones certainly did her best to add some romantic tension but it doesn't really see any development past initial hinting.
None the less, this movie has it's charm. If you enjoy horror movies, both scary and hokey, this one certainly fulfills the later and its worth a watch for its comedic value if nothing else! Please, take the time to watch Owen Wilson reacting to ghosts.
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