Don't Be Afraid of the Dark 16/10/11

As a rule I am a jumpy person. I had nightmares about The Strangers for weeks and had to go and see it again to get over it. Scary Movie even frightens me to an extent (I wish I was joking). I'm pretty sure giggling most of the way through a film intending to be scary is a bad sign at the best of times, but from Wimpy McGee over here, it's worse than bad.

The trouble with one man producing films with similar values, themes and visuals is you can't help but compare them all with the one you loved the most. In this instance Pans Labyrinth is the benchmark and it isn't even close to being surpassed by Del Toro's most recent effort.

 The cinematography here is typically Del Toro and visually it is gothic and rich. You find yourself admiring the setting but wishing there was far more substance. Unfortunately, this remake never really gets past its aesthetics. In the opening scenes you think you're in for a treat, with darkly intense suspense on display but sadly it never gets better than this.

Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce do their best with a weak and predictable script and pacing issues mean whatever interest was held about the outcome is lost half way through. With forced frights, intentionally scary monsters which in actual fact are quite cute and contrived creepy moments you feel that Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is trying too hard. As a result, this movie is surrounded with a strong sense of spoof for most of the 1 hour and 40 minute duration.

If you fancy a laugh then give it a go!