The House with a Clock in Its Walls is based off a 1973 book by John Bellairs, which spawned a book franchise and has now arrived on the big screen. I’m not sure how it will be ultimately accepted, as it’s an odd little movie that may be a few years too late.
The story takes place in the ’50s as we join 10-year-old Lewis Barnevelt (Owen Vaccaro), who must live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black), after his parents died in an accident. Jonathan is clearly off-kilter, but the house he lives in is far more strange and seems to have a personality of its own.
Lewis is a true fish-out-of-water in both school and home. He’s the type of kid who is destined to be last picked for any sport (which is played for great laughs) and at home, he can’t trust the secrets between his uncle and the odd neighbor, Florence (Cate Blanchett), who always seems to be around. As new threats and mysteries about the house are revealed, this unconventional family must band together through magic.
I find this movie so interesting in nature. First of all, it’s directed by Eli Roth. The very same Eli Roth who directed some of the grisliest horror movies of the past 15 years – Cabin Fever, Hostel and Green Inferno. He is the type of filmmaker that makes no apologies for going over the top. In fact, he expects his audience to find glee in the mayhem. This is his first PG movie and it’s such an interesting choice for him to take on.
Also, we’re fresh off the first Goosebumps movie (starring Jack Black) and leading into the sequel next month. It may be hard for audiences to separate this movie and that franchise, considering the very similar tone.
There’s so much potential behind The House with a Clock in Its Walls that it comes off as a little underwhelming. Each of the actors seem to be enjoying their roles. Where backstories are neglected, they instead indulge in chewing the scenery. This movie has a ton of personality, while a soul may be lacking.
This is a very different kind of kids movie and may be the kind of thing that I would have liked when I was younger. Though, many parents may feel this is too dark for their kids. Anyone who has seen A Series of Unfortunate Events will be familiar with the macabre tone of this movie. Though, in the second (and bonkers) half, the movie gets fun but also a little dark with man-eating puking pumpkins, living dolls and deal-making princes of hell. Also, there’s scene of a baby Jack Black which is guaranteed nightmare fuel.
This is slightly too long for a kids movie at 1 hour 44 minutes. Had it been cut down another 10 minutes, it would have clipped right along, especially through the sluggish first half.
While The House with a Clock in Its Walls is entirely uneven, it presents fun characters in ridiculous, and often scary, situations that is a good gateway scary flick for kids above the age of 9. I wish the whole movie had been more tight, but even still; it’s ends up being a fun and spooky flick. B-
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