cgeer-82876

I just finished watching this and I was truly impressed. It held my attention to the very end and built the tension extremely well.

Some reviewers seem to have missed the point, either that or they didn't like the lack of fights, guns, swearing and sex, but for me, this was the essence of good storytelling combined with a massive dollop of 50s style. I don't care what the budget was (although it was probably pretty small) this is how you do filmmaking. Yes it was a slow burner but I appreciate that.

For those that have it a stinker of a review, go watch something from the Marvel universe if you must, I'll seek out more films like this.

Yes, we've been here before with the likes of Brideshead Revisited et all, but this kept me watching right up until the last shot, albeit from behind the cushions at times. The acting is on the money apart from a couple of scenes, but the casting was inspired. Mr Grant, whilst not being given a huge amount of screen time, was excellent, as was Ms Pyke, but Keoghan stole the show. As the darkness bagan to make itself known, you are dragged along with it but what a ride. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to like it but it totally got me hooked. Also, I have to mention that the portrayal of the moneyed classes at their very worst rings very true indeed. Well worth watching!

In the books, there are a great many different groups and races in a world that is like ours but yet not. We have Gyptians, Witches, tribes from the frozen wastes, angels and many many more. Things get a little bit messed up when quota based casting insiste that none of these group have consistent ethnicities, which is quite confusing... maybe I'm just too old. Added to that, the acting is so often wooden that it's genuinely off-putting. I got a distinct feeling of drama school and not in a good way. The cgi was pretty good but the story was confused and slow. James McAvoy was excellent, the rest of the cast less so. It wasn't bad, just disappointing.