kamyk2000

Let's get right to the point. This movie is touted as a Gothic horror. The trailers certainly seem to indicate such. What it turns out more to be is a Gothic "romance"/tragedy/mystery with horror elements.

The good: The premise of the story is unoriginal, but is nevertheless a captivating one at first. The production values are fantastic. Special effects? Top notch. Sets? Excellent. Directing? Superb (of course). It's also a bit gory which I personally think makes it more realistic, (but it's certainly nothing remotely resembling "torture porn" like Saw, or even Hellraiser).

The mediocre: While mood appropriate and well performed, the soundtrack is utterly forgettable. The sound effects are superb, but also utterly forgettable (save perhaps the house "moaning" in one scene). The ghostly elements are very nicely pulled off. At least on a par with "Mama", but ultimately serve no real purpose to the plot in any way. I debated them being a plus, but they could be removed from the movie and the plot wouldn't change in the slightest. Some of the acting is less than stellar as well. Certainly nothing terrible, but nothing anyone is going to get an Oscar for either.

The bad: The story is entirely predictable. Not a single original idea (other than perhaps the setting). If it had been written as a novel around the same time as Frankenstein and Dracula and the like it would have fit right in, and probably now be considered a classic. However being made in this day and age it's just a rehash of your typical Gothic novel clichés. Is it a Gothic "novel"? Absolutely. To the core, but did I mention the plot is ridiculously predictable? If you watch this movie and think you've guessed a plot turn (I won't even grace it with the word "twist"), then you probably guessed right.

The ugly: Anyone who has seen a previous horror movie directed/produced/written by Del Toro, here's a caveat:Don't expect to be scared. It has none of the tension or shocks of ANY of his previous horror endeavors.

Ultimately is it worth going to see? Yes. I did give it 7/10. It's well made and it wasn't at all boring. Go see it if you have an hour or so, and like Gothic novels or other forms of media with dark Gothic themes. However, don't expect much horror unless the mere sight of wispy black figures freaks you out. But if you are the kind of moviegoer who likes to be kept guessing until the "reveal" where you go "Oh wow, I never saw that coming" this movie is certainly not for you.