The Dark Is Rising
2007
Susan Cooper's beloved fantasy series comes to the screen with THE DARK IS RISING. A boy discovers that he possesses special powers, but his newfound abilities thrust him into a battle between good and evil. Read more
| Starring | Drew Tyler Bell, Frances Conroy, James Cosmo, Wendy Crewson |
|---|---|
| Director | David L. Cunningham |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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The Dark Is Rising
Susan Cooper's beloved fantasy series comes to the screen with THE DARK IS RISING. A boy discovers that he possesses special powers, but his newfound abilities thrust him into a battle between good and evil.
| Starring | Drew Tyler Bell, Frances Conroy, James Cosmo, Wendy Crewson, Mark Donovan, Christopher Eccleston, Edmund Entin, Gary Entin |
|---|---|
| Director | David L. Cunningham |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 39 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | New releases |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 10 Mar 2008 Production year: 2007 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Susan Cooper's popular children's fantasy novels finally get a big screen adaptation, some 30 years after they first appeared in print. Undoubtedly the producers have an eye on the success... read more »
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Most helpful member's review
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50 out of 51 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
A franchise fails before it starts
With the approaching end of the Harry Potter franchise (assuming that JK Rowling doesn't suddenly write another book based in Hogwarts) Hollywood is definitely on the look out for the next 'Potter'. 'The Dark is Rising' is one such hopeful, being based on the second part of a five book fantasy series, that was originally published in the 1960s and 1970s.
Will Stanton is fast approaching his 14th birthday, and is struggling with the all the usual issues, not least of which is his crush on one of the older girls at school. But his life becomes far more complicated when he starts seeing strange patterns on normal objects around him and is pursued by a dark ominous figure on horseback. Demanding that Will hand over 'the signs' Will is in real danger until four of the village locals appear and chase off the figure. These individuals turn out to be time travellers, known as the 'Old Ones' and they tell Will that he is 'the Seeker', the seventh son of a seventh son, and must find six 'signs' before the Rider's power comes to it's full, otherwise darkness will sweep the lands forever.
A major problem with 'The Dark Is Rising' is that the story, though in itself interesting, is played out in such a dull and predictable way that it's hard to get a great deal of enjoyment from it. It doesn't take a great deal of thought to work out exactly what is going to happen, so when it does occur you're left with an empty, hollow feeling. Those words in fact ring true for most aspects of the film, as the acting is also 'empty' and 'hollow' more often than not. Christopher Eccleston seems to be enjoying himself, and it's nice to see Ian McShane doing something other than Deadwood but Alexander Ludwig (Will Stanton) is incredibly uncharismatic in the lead.
There were reports on this film's release that the writer of the books, Susan Cooper, was unhappy with the interpretation of her works, and seeing this it's not hard to see why. It's saving graces are few, though it's certainly far from being the worst film ever made. Some of the set pieces are very good (watch out for the security guards in the shopping centre) and overall it isn't a bad story, with some nice twists (though if you're over 8 you'll see them coming a mile away). This is worth a watch if you like fantasy films, and go into it without expectations. But don't expect the next Harry Potter - Hollywood's still working on that one. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Good stuff
Sometimes there is nothing better than a kids fantasy movie - pure escapism from the stressful world..........and this movie delivered on all fronts.
Excellent cast, excellent story. Would be an excellent movie for Xmas night after all that trukey!! -
News and features
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The Dark is Rising
- 18 Oct 2007
Susan Cooper's popular children's fantasy novels finally get a big screen adaptation, some 30 years after they first appeared in print. Undoubtedly the producers have an eye on the success of The Lord of the Rings and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Master H. Potter, Esquire. Unlike those successful franchises, however, The Dark is Rising has offended fans of the books by making sweeping changes to the story and the characters, most obviously by changing hero Will from an 11-year-old... Read more
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Susan Cooper's beloved fantasy series comes to the screen with THE DARK IS RISING. A boy discovers that he possesses special powers, but his newfound abilities thrust him into a battle between good ... -