The House With A Clock In Its Walls is the latest attempt to jump-start a movie franchise that’s based on a series of children’s books. The only difference here is that the original book that this film is based on was written back in 1973 by the late author John Bellairs, and was illustrated by the late Edward Gorey, the writer/artist probably best known for his delightfully quaint ghoulish artwork as seen on the opening titles of the PBS Mystery! series. Another notable difference here is that THWACIIW (even the acronym for this is long) has been directed by Eli Roth, who’s better known for the first two Hostel movies, as well as The Green Inferno, all three movies being hard core horror flicks with stomach-churning gore.
So does this House work?
Yes, and quite nicely, too. As been noted in the DVD commentary for THWAC (I even have to cut down the acronym!), sometimes when you’re restricted, the restrictions can make you be even more creative. The PG rating doesn’t hamper Roth, who manages to turn in an affable, enjoyable light horror movie that can be viewed by the entire family. Roth has some much-needed help in this regard by a superb cast that’s led by Jack Black and Cate Blanchett. Black stars as a warlock who takes in his young nephew, who’s made an orphan after his parents die in a car crash. Blanchett plays Black’s neighbor, a close friend and ally who share a charming teasing ritual with Black’s character where they insult each other.
Yet the boy, well played by Owen Vaccaro, quickly notices that his uncle and his neighbor are much more than the mild eccentrics they make themselves out to be. And there are dangers--both within and outside his uncle’s house--that the kid needs to be aware of if he wants to make it to his eleventh birthday. It’s easy to compare this with the Harry Potter series, but it wouldn’t be very fair. The Harry Potter films dealt with a child warlock finding his way in the world through his studies at a special magician’s school. But Lewis, the orphaned ten year old who’s taken in by Black’s character, is taught magic at home--it’s established that anybody can learn magic and be a warlock (or a witch), if they study hard enough at it. But Lewis still has to deal with an overwhelming threat while he learns his magic skills--one that, interestingly, has its roots in the Second World War.
It should be noted that The House with a Clock in its Walls takes place in Michigan in 1955; albeit it’s a warm, loving view of the 1950s through rose-colored glasses that is devoid of any of the problems that flared up back then. That’s because The House with a Clock in its Walls is a mildly dark fantasy film that’s strictly aimed at kids, so it keeps its overall tone light while still treating its villains as real threats. It works very well, thanks mainly to its appealing cast of adult and child actors and excellent production design. This was a nice change of pace from director Eli Roth that should become a fun addition to the list of Halloween films for the entire family to watch. --SF
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