The Dark Is Rising on DVD (2007)

A franchise fails before it starts

Vivacia from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 20/12/2007

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.

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Rubbish

A customer from Yeovil , 20/01/2008

Expected something vaguely adventurous, but just found it boring and predictacle. Avoid it if want to see something at least interesting.

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Enjoyable!

A customer from SW London , 26/10/2007

I didn't quite know what to expect when I went to see this, but I quite enjoyed it. It wasn't anything special: the age old story of the fight against light (good) and darkness(evil) with a bit of a twist this time round. For novelty purposes, this is a good watch...

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Enjoyable fantasy

Graham from York [Highly rated reviewer] , 09/04/2008

With a former Dr Who as the baddie and Lovejoy as a goodie, this has the feel of a BBC Sunday evening drama - some good effects and nice performances all round, it looks like this will be a stand alone film as opposed to the francise it potentially could have been. As it's a 12 it may be a bit too scary for younger children and don't rent if you're afraid of birds.

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Angry!

skeadugenga from Reading [Highly rated reviewer] , 18/07/2008

Susan Cooper's books are brilliant and I suppose that this utter travesty of an adaptation now means that they will never be filmed as they should have been.

There is not enough room on this website to describe how rubbish this film was, although the other negative reviews have touched on many of the things which made it offensively bad, I'll mention some specially low points anyway - the trading with pillaging vikings, the total lack of ability on the part of the leads, the dysfunctional American family, the almost total omission of the British mythological backdrop, the gothicisation of Amersham (!), the throwaway witch scene, the fast and efficient retrieval of 'signs' lost for centuries without breaking sweat etc.etc.etc A film made by idiots for idiots. I hope the people who perpetrated this lost their shirts, and Christopher Ecclestone should be dee[y ashamed of participating in this garbage, there was more artistic integrity to be found playing piano in a strip joint.

It should be illegal to rent this.

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Customer Review

A customer from UK , 23/06/2008

I can never get back these wasted hours. Don't watch it unless you are an insomniac.

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