The Seeker: The Dark is Rising: Movie Review (2007)
10/12/2007 Posted by Admin
Just between us--you're in a bad movie.(Originally published 2007)
Directed by David L. Cunningham, written by John Hodge, 98 minutes, rated PG.
"The Seeker: The Dark is Rising" is based on the second in Susan Cooper's award-winning series of books, all unread by me, though given their longevity and popularity (the first appeared in 1965), one assumes the books have a linear quality that hooks and captivates those who come to them.
Too bad those elements are missing from the movie.
Director David L. Cunningham based his film on John Hodge's frenetic, uneven screen adaptation and what he has on his hands is a soulless mess, though you sense while watching it that it could have been tweaked into something more promising had it not been twisted into something so convoluted.
Several things are at work against it, from Geoffrey Rowland and Eric Sears' scattershot editing, which feels as if they cut the movie by tossing it into a Cuisinart, and Hodge's script, which disappoints in how many plot points it either glosses over or leaves unanswered.
The film stars Alexander Ludwig as Will Stanton, a pouty, 14-year-old American boy living in a small British nowhere with a large family of little flavor. When into his life come the Light and the Dark--otherwise known as good and evil--Will is pressed into action to keep the dark from rising. Otherwise, you know, evil with reign.
Guiding him through his journey are the Old Ones, with Merriman Lyon (Ian McShane, wasted) and Miss Greythorne (Frances Conroy, ditto) informing Will that he has special powers (which he rarely chooses to use) and encouraging him to seek out the six signs of light. To do so, he must travel through time, find the signs in bouts of chaos, and collect them so he can build a defense against the dark side, which is personified by the Rider (Christopher Eccleston).
Trouble is, since Will is the seventh son of a seventh son, with all that implies, pulling away from the dark side proves something of a challenge--just not a very entertaining one.
Sure, he comes up against any number of battles as he secures each amulet of light, but it's never a compelling struggle or, for that matter, a believable one. The movie makes it all too easy for him. You never once fear for Will's life or question whether he'll come through. He just does. And then he just does so again.
Worse is the film's timing. Cooper's books may have been conceived long before the "Harry Potter" franchise took root, but the comparisons can't be helped--they might as well be a cow bell clanging in the theater--and as such, they unhinge the movie, ironically shedding light on just how dim this film about light and dark really is.
Grade: C-
October 16, 2007 at 12:18 PM
The movie got it all wrong!!!! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Will Stanton did not have a twin brother, though two of his older brothers are twins, Paul and James. Paul plays the flute and James loves to sing. Neither of them got kidnapped by the way. Will is the youngest of a very close and tight knit family. Will always felt loved, supported, and protected. He is also a responsible, well mannered, and thoughtful child. No dysfunction there! Imagine that!!! The oldest, Tom who died in infancy, is mentioned in the book but does not play a roll in the story. The second to the oldest, Steven, whom Will loved and looked up to, is in the British Royal Navy. Steven gave Will his attic bedroom because Will absolutely loved it. Will was 11 years old when the story took place and had no interest in girls at the time. He found his abilities, at times, a burden. Unlike in the movie, Will takes Merriman’s advice and teachings very seriously. He is British, NOT an American. The movie does not resemble the book at all, not even close!! Did the producers and directors even read the book!! I think not. They forgot a very important rule, Never Americanize British Novels!! Those who have not read the books are in for a surprise when they do. "Is this the same story?" they will ask. Those who have read the books will be sorely disappointed and will ask the same question. I don't mind movie adaptations of books. Quite of few are very well done such as "Lord of the Rings”, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and they even did a fair job with "Harry Potter." But the producers and Directors really butchered the "Dark is Rising." They took outthe Celtic, and the King Author mythology that give the books its depth and sense of mystery. There are 5 books in the complete story of the "Dark is Rising." The 1st one is called, "Over the Sea, Under the Stone", the 2nd, "The Dark is Rising," The 3rd, 'the Green Witch", The 4th, "The Grey King"-- Newberry award winner, and the last book is called "Silver on the Tree." Very excellent books and a wonderful read. Skip the movie. Read the books!!
August 30, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Absolutely! Couldn't agree more; I have read all the books many times over the years and the one thing that has to be said about them is that they are completely and irrevocably British! This is a travesty and shows the worst of American attitudes to other cultures. I rented it with great excitement from Tesco DVD rental; after watching 20 or 30 minutes of it, it went back in its envelope and straight back in the post box. Why can't American film makers stay true to any book they buy the rights of? This is just sheer cultural arrogance and ruins a wonderful story.
November 11, 2009 at 4:17 PM
директор и студентка http://free-3x.com/ порно тинейджеров free-3x.com/ молоденькие телки 18 лет учатся сексу порно [url=http://free-3x.com/]free-3x.com[/url]
January 25, 2010 at 2:41 AM
intensified theimportant durations brokers emphasising messengers faiths briefing fraction eventuate temporal
servimundos melifermuly
January 26, 2010 at 5:41 PM
praha hearings celery pregnant proclaimed mclean viral stimuli segmented diseased researched
servimundos melifermuly
November 20, 2010 at 1:10 AM
Классная статья! По больше таких надо!