Don´t Turn Off The Light

Wednesday, 21 December 2011 15:15

Written by Editor

Whenever an old movie gets remade, you always have to watch the original to be able to compare and deliver a fair verdict. Most of the time the original is the best, like “The Italian Job” or “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory”. However, the 1973 made for TV movie “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” isn’t. Guillermo Del Toro best known for “Pan’s Labyrinth” has produced this remake, and he really knows how to give you a fright. The 2011 version of “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” came out earlier this year, and although it has Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce in it, don’t let that put you off.  Katie Holmes gives a surprisingly strong performance, Pearce’s character is quite unlikeable and the little girl Bailee Madison carries the movie effortlessly.

The story of the remake is a little different to the original, but I personally think  it’s better ‘cause it also makes more sense.  The basic line to both movies is that they move into an old house that has a secret, the secret is bricked up in an old chimney that whispers naughty evil things. Then the chimney gets reopened at some point and evil demon type creatures escape, causing chaos.

Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the original very much, but there wasn’t any explanation as to what the little demons wanted or why they were attacking Sally. The remake, has a little back story  about the man who used to live there and lost his son to the creatures – and whenever the creatures emerge they need to take the life of a child and eat their teeth. Bizarre, I know, but it’s an explanation, which is better than what the original gave you.

Also the remake is about a little girl who is sent to go and live with her father in this big old mansion, that her father is renovating to sell. The original is about a couple that move into an old house, but it’s the wife who starts to hear the voices and, her husband doesn’t see the creatures and is almost always away on business.

The little creatures in the original are like scary, creepy little men, the new creatures are like little rat people or big rats with human-ish features – they are really, really creepy.  Another aspect is that obviously something made in 1973, isn’t going to age that well, and when you look at the décor and wardrobe, it can make you laugh. The remake is set is set in a gorgeous old house, with a beautiful staircase – the film is worth watching, if for the house alone.

The original is good, but the remake really gives you a run for your money, it made me jump out my seat more than once. Even the opening scene with the chisel in the mouth, made me cringe. Yes, this is definitely one to watch, it’s creepy, spooky and with a few jumps. So, if you’re getting tired with the holly jolly season, this should put a smile on your face.