Inkheart DVD Review

"Inkheart" reviews

DVD

Inkheart

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-04-06 14:19:47

Rating

2/5

Provider

DVD Review

"Inkheart", is an odd beast, it's a fantasy with everything in the right place bar an actual heart! Yes, Iain Softley's stab in the dark at the fantasy/adventure shtick, based as it is on Cornelia Funke's bestselling series of books, is an admirable effort but you just can't shake the second-hand, pass-me-down feeling that the film engenders.

Granted the concept is a sprightly one. Brendan Fraser, the cinematic equivalent of marmite, with all the acting talent thereof, plays a Silvertongue - that is someone who can conjure up any fictional character, thing or place from the pages of his favourite novel. Quite a feat and one explored well by Softley with an inspiring series of locales and some pretty nifty effects (the big bad Shadow is an interesting riff on "The Fellowship's" Balrog moment!). Fraser's daughter (played well by the debuting Eliza Hope Bennett) inherits her father's gift and it's not long before the pair's recitals start causing a few problems. It's surprisingly fun to see characters from "The Wizard of Oz" blend in to "Inkheart's" world and there's enough charisma to spare in this hyper-real setting. With Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren on hand for strong support with the former in particularly good form as a troublesome, and homesick, pyromaniac! All however are kowtowed by Andy Serkis' turn as the insidious Capricorn - he positively chews up and then regurgitates the scenery as "Inkheart's" resident tyrant!

But despite such a colourful cast, you just can't shake the feeling that you've watched "Inkheart" before - and all too recently. The bar has been set very high indeed for the seasonal fantasy film. Weaned on a diet of bi-annual Potters and still reeling on a "Lord of The Rings" inspired reverie, "Inkheart" has some very big shoes to fill and is found severely wanting. An admirable effort all the same, which, unfortunately, holds none of your interest.

Copyright © 2009.