The Dark Is Rising

The Dark Is Rising

• Director: David L Cunningham
• Based on the book by Susan Cooper
• Cast: Alexander Ludwig, Ian McShane, Christopher Eccleston, Frances Conroy, James Cosmo
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Alexander Ludwig – The Hunger Games
• Ian McShane – Game of Thrones, John Wick, Jack the Giant Slayer, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Pillars of the Earth, Case 39
• Christopher Eccleston – The Leftovers, Doctor Who, Legend, Fortitude, A Song for Marion, 28 Days Later, The Others, eXistenZ, Elizabeth, Jude, Shallow Grave
• Frances Conroy – Joker, Shelter, Six Feet Under, Broken Flowers, Sleepless in Seattle, Billy Bathgate
• James Cosmo - many
• Why? It’s included in a double DVD
• Seen: 1 July 2024      

       Harry Potter it isn’t but it sure is a wannabe. The books it’s based on came long before HP but this film borrows (ahem) so many images and ideas from the films that it’s a wonder they weren’t sued for plagiarism.

       The main problem is that they chose Alexander Ludwig, who has zero charisma, to play the teen-age hero Will, an American kid relocated with his American family to an English village. Maybe so people wouldn’t mix it up with HP.

       No risk.

       This film is charmless, humourless and pointless. The book is no doubt better, Susan Cooper is a good author. She must hate the film.

       The presence of Frances Conroy and several good British actors, especially Christopher Eccleston lift it somewhat but what were they thinking? The kitten gives it ½ * 

1 ½ * of 5.