Kevin's Watch

Has anyone seen this adaptation of Susan Cooper's book 'The Dark Is Rising', from the series of the same name? I love the books, and I'm interested to know whether the movie is any good.

Just got back from seeing this, and I'd have to say no. No it isn't.

Kind of sad, really. You can tell there's some really good themes and probably a decent story to work with. The location, cinematography, and effects are there. The casting seemed pretty good too, though the choice for the lead was a bit iffy.

The biggest problem, I think, was direction. Ham handed would be putting it lightly. It all comes off like a comic book and really leaves you scratching your head at a few things. The pace is slow in the beginning, which would have been fine if they hadn't left such big gaps in some of the characterization or made the second half of it so rushed. And I can't think of any of the major scenes that seemed to happen organically, but rather seem to be jammed in there for no other reason than that "this part has to happen right here."

The younger kids might enjoy it (once, anyway, and that if they stay awake through the first 45 minutes), but even though it's not bad, I think anybody with half a brain couldn't help to feel a bit disappointed.

Of course, I thought the Narnia movie sucked, so... YMMV.

Now if you have any insight into what was with the family's dogs or any reason for a kitten in the plot other than it's cute, I'd appreciate it. And if you do end up seeing it, could you please tell me how everything turns out in the end makes any sense. Oh, and who cares what his dad was working on, sense it seemed to play no important part in the movie other than an unexplainable coincidence.

I think I'll just stop there.

What do you mean, what was with the Family's dogs? I've not seen the movie (didn't know there was one, but now I'll have to see it,) but I've a fan of the series, and might remember.

Thanks for the feedback, Syl - if I do see it, I certainly won't be getting my hopes up.

In the beginning, the dogs were growling at the boy like there was something wrong with him, or something wrong with them, maybe. Rider had a couple dogs, but I'm pretty sure they weren't the same ones. And of course, at the end of the movie the dogs are normal. *shrug*

No prob, Edge. There are few movies that fit the criteria of kid friendly, playing at my local cheap theatre, and enough effects to be worth seeing on the big screen.

I didn't know this was out!

It's a shame if they haven't done it right - could have been a wonderfully atmospheric film.

The reason the dogs were growling at Will was explain in the book under the same reason the TV and Radio were screwing up around him -- it had to do with him coming into his power as an Old One.