Post by Deexan on Mar 21, 2015 1:46:52 GMT -5
The Babadook brings nothing new to the table, on the horror front. Let's get that out of the way right now.
However, what it does bring is a fun execution of an olde timey plot device - the book that contains a demon of some kind that you can't dispose of, no matter how hard you try.
There's a really annoying Australian kid in this, that you kind of want the Babadook to disembowel. The kid playing him draws no empathy from the viewer, which may have been what they were going for - who knows.
What I will say is that the mother - whose name I forget - gives a thoroughly genuine performance. If I had to compare it to anything it would be to Ellen Bursytn's performance in Requiem For A Dream, and I don't make that comparison lightly as I consider that one of the greatest feats of acting of modern times.
I checked out Google - Essie Davis gives a totally convincing performance of a woman on the very edge of going batshit insane. Without her this movie could have died on its arse but she holds every scene together.
The effects, when they're at their minimalist, are very effective. Towards the end they extend their reach a little and you can see the budget a little bit. But they've done such a good job leading up to that that you don't really mind.
The classic horror rule is to leave most of the bad guy to the viewer's imagination, and they do that here largely with aplomb.
The ending is a bit weird, and it clears up any questions you have about the protagonist's sanity, but I guess it's unique in its own little way.
8/10
However, what it does bring is a fun execution of an olde timey plot device - the book that contains a demon of some kind that you can't dispose of, no matter how hard you try.
There's a really annoying Australian kid in this, that you kind of want the Babadook to disembowel. The kid playing him draws no empathy from the viewer, which may have been what they were going for - who knows.
What I will say is that the mother - whose name I forget - gives a thoroughly genuine performance. If I had to compare it to anything it would be to Ellen Bursytn's performance in Requiem For A Dream, and I don't make that comparison lightly as I consider that one of the greatest feats of acting of modern times.
I checked out Google - Essie Davis gives a totally convincing performance of a woman on the very edge of going batshit insane. Without her this movie could have died on its arse but she holds every scene together.
The effects, when they're at their minimalist, are very effective. Towards the end they extend their reach a little and you can see the budget a little bit. But they've done such a good job leading up to that that you don't really mind.
The classic horror rule is to leave most of the bad guy to the viewer's imagination, and they do that here largely with aplomb.
The ending is a bit weird, and it clears up any questions you have about the protagonist's sanity, but I guess it's unique in its own little way.
8/10
