By: Jesse Striewski
Although I already took my son to see this adaption of the popular book by Alvin Schwartz while it was still in the theater, I missed the chance to review it the first time around. In light of its recent DVD/home media release earlier this month, I figured it was better late than never to review it.
Set in a small Pennsylvania town in 1968, the story follows a group of teenagers who unwittingly unlock an ancient evil after taking a mysterious book they find while sneaking into the local haunted house on Halloween night. Things quickly get out of hand as one by one the teens (and their tormentors) become victims of unspeakable horrors written on the book’s pages.
The talented young cast is headed by Zoe Colletti and Michael Garza, while veteran actors such as Dean Norris and Gil Bellows round out the supporting cast.
The eerie atmosphere is both well done, and a throwback to midnight movies everywhere. Although riddled with a somewhat typical/predictable ending, the film is still the perfect late night creepy scare fest flick. So turn down the lights, and settle in for one hell of a bumpy ride!
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
