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Merrick Approaches MONSTER HOUSE Cynically + 9 Reviews From Last Night's Screenings!!

Published at:  Jul 11, 2006 10:44:03 AM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!




href="mailto:merrick@aintitcool.com">Merrick here...








When I first saw trailers for MONSTER HOUSE, I feared the worst. I expected the worst. I knew it was going to be grating, irritating, simple minded, and as artistic flaccid as every other heaping pile of computer animated drivel we're served every few months. I'd even said as much in previous posts appearing on this site.



The involvement of Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis did nothing to bolster my competence: the staggeringly ineffective final sequences of Spielberg's WAR OF THE WORLDS suggested that he'd lost traction on science fiction/fantasy storytelling. Zemeckis' POLAR EXPRESS told me that the director clearly had a grasp on how to "paint beautiful pictures" with CGI, but nothing about the project indicated that attention to storytelling or detail was part of the creative process. And, the punk directing this thing, Gil Kenan? Whozdat?



What the hell?



Whatever...



So, I sighed. I shut down my computer, presumed the project was another lackluster enterprise from people that didn't have anything better to do with their mountains of money, and dismissed it completely.



Then, Harry made me see it. Within the first five minutes of the film, I knew I was wrong. Gloriously, delightfully, orgasmically wrong. I kept waiting for the movie to unravel, but it didn't. I saw it a second time last night: it's better on a subsequent viewings.
MONSTER HOUSE...is "the real deal".



Several major elements distinguish MONSTER HOUSE from other films of its ilk (CGI); they're all intertwined. MH is actually about something. It's about loneliness. It's about adventure. It's about sacrifice. It's about growing up while still maintaining a sense of wonder. It's about realizing the world is way bigger and far badder than we are...and rising to meet that challenge...while still remaining a kid at heart. Above all, it's about all of these things while, simply, being fun.



These throughlines are directed with mesmerizing flare by Kenan (sorry I doubted, man!) MH is not edited like a "cartoon", its shot composition and perpetually fluid camera motion evoke the best directors in recent cinema - while still maintaining a unique and individual style. Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, and Pamela Pettler's script doesn't miss a beat, it's smart in its comedy and intense in its jeopardy. In almost every respect, this is true cinema. A "live action" movie using CGI as a delivery system - as a tool rather than a gimmick. As canvas, rather than a device.



This is the way CGI should have been approached all along. This is the way CGI should be approached forever.




Is it a perfect film? Not even close. There are several points in the film where pacing could be tightened, or sequences might be abbreviated. Occasional moments of extended conversation felt like they needed more coverage (a few more cutaways here and there). As presented, beats are a sometimes awkward and don't feel as natural as the filmmakers undoubtedly intended. Also, it's hard to escape the sense that the movie could be trimmed. Not dramatically, but cutting its running time by five or ten minutes might have freed MH from the "loose" quality some viewers have commented on. These are small qualms to be sure. But the devil's in the details, and therein lies the difference between greatness and perfection.



So, as for the question posed above, who the hell is Gil Kenan? He's a UCLA grad who made a very strange-but-atmospheric short film. Said film caught the eye of an agent, who paired Kenan with an incoming script called MONSTER HOUSE, that they then took to Spielberg and Zemeckis.



And here we are.



He's humble, unassuming, and genuinely appreciative that people are digging his work -- which was born out of love, understanding, and youthful enthusiasm not only for the history of film as an art form, but for the potential it still holds. He, and this movie, are a consummate embodiment of the passions that drive AICN. Declaring MONSTER HOUSE the "10th Anniversary AICN Movie" couldn't make more sense.



Sometimes, it's a blast to be...wrong. I'm glad I was wrong.







[IMAGE]






Reviews are pouring in from last night's multi-city, Digital 3D MONSTER HOUSE screenings.



BELOW: a few of the responses we've received so far. If any more write-ups come in today, we'll likely add them to the collection below. THE NEWER REVIEWS will appear at the bottom of the article; keep an eye on the number count in the article's title as it'll change should we update.



Some interesting perspectives here: Psychedelic, one of our regular contributors, thought the movie was only "okay", while "an older" viewer said MONSTER HOUSE was "the finest example of film making I've seen in many years.", and a librarian calls the film "important."



Thanks to everyone who took the time to send in their thoughts on the film.



Here we go...









MINOR SPOILERS BELOW!!!










From Psychedelic in Los Angeles...




Hey Harry and House Haunters,






First off, Happy 10th Anniversary to Ain’t It Cool News. May there be ten more years filled with cinematic magic.






On a personal note, this may sound corny but having my reviews appear on the site has helped me grow as a person. I say with complete sincerity that writing reviews and getting feedback from you folks out there has helped me pull myself up through some tough times. It’s always a thrill to see my reviews on the site; I thank Harry and the fun frolicking crew from the bottom of my heart.






On to Monster House here in Los Angeles…I’m sorry to say that I only found it to be okay. There’s a welcome whimsy to the animation and it’s among the best 3-D I’ve ever seen. In fact, the only 3-D I’ve witnessed that’s better was an IMAX presentation of James Cameron’s Ghosts of the Abyss. The effect animation on the titular house is terrific.






SPOILERS





It’s a real treat when the house stomps around at the end. It’s a delightful imagining of what it’d be like to have a house literally lurching after you down the street. But it happens too late in the movie. Why not have a bunch of houses stomping around trying to munch kids?






The movie poses the interesting idea of a house possessing the attributes of a body. The front door is the mouth and inside are teeth and a throat. Why not elaborate on that and have the kids travel through the house a la Fantastic Voyage until they put out its flaming heart?






END SPOILERS





As is, the story is pretty bland with characters who seem like clones of stereotypes you’ve seen before. The dialogue threatens to be witty but doesn’t quite get there. It’s an entertaining enough summer movie with more idiosyncratic quirks than most studio fare. Sorry Harry, I wish I’d liked this special screening better.






Alert to Parents: The scary stuff is too intense for most small children. I’d think twice before taking someone 8 and under. Every kid is different, but there’s enough scary stuff out there without adding additional nightmares.






- Psychedelic









Here's GCWB from Chicago...






I went to the Chicago screening and wanted to just throw out a big thank you for throwing this
fantastic 10th anniversary event. It was a blast seeing this movie with friends and people who
share the same interests. I would like to especially thank Capone for finally getting a Chicago
event going. And i am sure it wont be the last.




Now to the review.




Overall, I really did like the film. It was fun and everyone seemed to enjoy
it. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something so strange about this movie. The
lines were funny, each character had an interesting personality, and the direction and
cinematography was quite stunning....but something throughout the whole movie seemed off. I ran
into this problem with Polar Express too, it certainly wasnt as bad as Polar Express though. I
know its not the same film technique (correct me if I am wrong), but it sure came off as similar.




I think the main problem was that the bodies had alot of awkward movement that was slightly off.
They were so close to getting it right, so close to being natural...that it looked overly forced.
It was like...Okay, this person made a joke..so now they react, and then once they react they move
onto the next line. The reaction time was slightly off.




The atmosphere was beautiful, everything about it was amazinly photo realistic. Infact, I dont
think it could have been anymore realistic. I think that goes along with the same problem. The
atmosphere was so real, that they tried to make the humans look just as real as the atmosphere.
But, they got stuck with the same "Polar Express" syndrome.




The jokes were really spot on. Props to the writing crew. They made alot of cliche ideas seem
fresh. For instance, the bitchy babysitter that we always see (fairly oddparents for one-which
kids can connect to) ended up being pretty funny and she was the most boring character in the
movie! I also loved the videogame dude, he was halarious.




I think alot of kids are going to want to see this film cuz for some reason the public sees
animation films always aiming towards children. but alot of this animation film might be just a bit
too scary for the younger crowd. (1-6) The house can be really frightening in some scenes and
some of the characters are frightening to look at.




One last thing, I feel like this is not the best release date for the movie. This really feels
like a halloween movie, and a really enjoyable one at that. But i dont go see Halloween movies in
July. I enjoyed it, but my friends were pretty unsure if they would have actually payed to go see
this.




Even if this a strategic move, so they can get the DVD out by Halloween to see those sales
skyrocket...i still say its a bad move. I say release it around Halloween, get the box office
money and then release a normal DVD early february. They could then release a Special Edition
Monster House the next Halloween and see the same money come in. Maybe they just figured people
love halloween stuff year round. Well, im personally not one of those people.




Overall, a highly enjoyable film despite the fact that it runs into the problem of its release date
and stiff character animation.




GCWB









Johnny "Chuck" Deth saw the film in New York City...



Harry,




Thank you for the screening last night!




I had just finished viewing a screening of FEED (not terrible still not
great but gross) and MONSTER HOUSE was just what I needed to wash the taste
of that film and a long day out of my system.




Pure joy!




Wonderful 3D (and I have made a 3D feature in the early 80s so I
know) with no eye strain!




Adults and kids both laughing (not always at the same things) and/or
screaming with the fun.




The voice performances were terrific and I did not see the 3rd act "twist"
coming at all. Even Scott from NJ's Comic Explosion smiled (and he aint
known for his grin)!




I really loved the film and can not wait to take my lovely wife Battina.
Heck it was even set on Halloween (my wedding anniversary!). What more
could anyone ask for? PURE ENTERTAINMENT!




Johnny "Chuck" Deth









Secretlibrarian attended Capone's screening in Chicago...



Hey Harry,




First let me say thanks to you, AICN and Capone for the chance to see this
great film gratis. Monster House was THE movie I was looking forward to all
summer and to see it early was such a great treat.




So how was it? Let me tell you, this is an important movie.




I'm a librarian and I work mainly with young adults (ages 11ish-high
school). These are kids who are a little too old for the Pixar stuff and way
too young for nostalgia. Pitching something to tweens is a real pain. You
can't be too intense and you definately can't baby them. You need a fin
brush to reach these kids and most hollywood flicks are painted with
rollers.




Monster House is the perfect tween movie. And that is important.




DJ and Chowder are right at that moment in your life as a boy when girls
suddenly go from icky to...interesting. DJ is obsessing over his scary old
neighbor and his scary old house. The scene in the beginning where he
scribbles notes and mutters about the tricyle is something every boy at that
age does. I opened a detective agency in my garage when I was 11. Wore my
best suit and everything. He's playing at being an adult. Chowder is still a
big kid but he plays as having charm and being suave.




There's a line where
he asks DJ for beer that my girlfriend and I could not stop repeating on the
way home. I love Choweder because I was the fat kid too, all tumbs and
screw-ups. His line "I looked back!" is exactly what he'd say. Jenny...sigh.
Yeah, she's every girl you ever had a crush on at that age.



It's the exactness that makes this movie work so well. The kids feel like
kids. They're not hollywood kids trying to sound like someone from the
flyover states, they feel genuine and fun. They're not funny because they're
trying to be, they're funny because they're kids and kids are hysterical.




There's so much that just works in this movie. The video game geek whose
about 20 seconds more mature than the boys but he's they're god. The
babysitter who gets the best burns on the boys ("No more mountain dew") the
cops who could have their own movie ("No, no that's loaded!") the parents
who do the best thing and disappear for the film. Nebbercracker, who looks
like Gollum one minute and a sweet....well I won't give that away. No
character in this film is functional, everyone is fleshed out, funny and
means something to the story.




The look of the film is so damn pretty. From the opening shot of fall leaves
you're instantly in this hyper-real world. It's not Jimmy neutron/dreamworks
stuff here, the characters all have weight and emotions and they live in a
very real world. So when the house goes evil and starts it's rampage it has
so much more impact. You must see this in 3-D. There's no SCTV
"Ooohh...pancakes!" moments in there but when the mouth of the house opens
wide you'll have to be a very brave soul not a cringe just a bit.




Tweens will love this movie because it's honest about their lives. They feel
trapped, no one is listening and they have something
great/wonderful/terrible to say. This is an important movie for them to see
because it shows them that their stories are great stories. That all that
imagination of childhood can come rushing with you into puberty and high
school.




It's ok to grow up but you can always have adventures with your
friends. I wish every YA book could have this big a heart and that every
young adult movie could be this much fun.



Thank you again Harry, Capone, everybody.










Jim was in Austin...



Hey now



Was at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin last night seeing POTC "Dead Man's Chest"
and came out and saw that a private screening of "Monster House" in 3D was being presented by Harry Knowles.



This is funny cause this is what he said on his website last night:


This one older couple were at the Drafthouse seeing Pirates - asked what the glasses were for - decided to stick around for the screening on the chance of getting in on standby. And did. They came up to me afterwards just so blown away. That's great, when you get people to be completely blown away by the film.


We were that older couple (heck I'm only 53 and my wife is nine years younger than me).
The movie was beyond great. It is the finest example of film making I've seen in many years. The story line is superb, the characters are real and the animation is over the top. I laughed out loud the whole movie.


Thanks to everyone who produced this gem.



I look forward to telling everyone about Monster House, and will go see it again with friends and family.












Cody was in the Austin audience last night...




Monster house is a new computer animated feature film that will be released later this month. I was lucky enough to win a couple of tickets to AICN's 10th anniversary digital 3d screening of the movie at the Alamo Drafthouse South here in lovely Austin, TX. This is the second time AICN has given me a chance to attend a free early screening (the first was the premier of Sky Captain) and I will be forever grateful to them. I think it's great how they make normal people feel like Hollywood VIP's.





When I arrived at the Drafthouse I was given a cool little badge as a ticket and some Buddy Holly-style 3D glasses. These are the same kind of glasses I remember wearing when I saw Captain Eo at Walt Disney World a long time ago. Except these look like Buddy Holly glasses... so they're better. By the way, the Drafthouse has some awesome Queso.






Monster House is an 80's style preteen supernatural movie, so they showed trailers for Monster Squad (a classic!) and the Explorers before the movie. This really set the right mood. In fact, Monster House reminded me a lot of my memories of Monster Squad, which is a good thing because I have very fond memories of Monster Squad.






The first shot of the movie is a wide shot of a typical suburban neighborhood in the fall, with leaves falling and trees swaying. This first shot really brought home that this was 3d, and I actually heard people gasp. It only got better from there, as the movie made full use of the 3d to throw all sorts of things at us. If you can, you really need to see this movie in 3d.






The biggest strength of Monster House was the characters. They were all likeable, funny, and well animated. I imminently related to the main character, but maybe that's because I pretty much WAS that kid 15 years ago (although my overweight neighbor buddy wasn't nearly as funny as Chowder). There are lots of great supporting characters, from the babysitter's annoying boyfriend ("He's in a band") to the overweight cop (voiced by Kevin James). There's even a cameo by Napoleon Dynamite.... Who could ask for more?






The movie's not perfect. It seemed a tad too long, and it might be too intense for little kids. I think I would have liked to have seen a little more mystery... as it is the supernatural element is revealed right away. These are all small things, though... Monster House certainly gets two thumbs up from me.






If you can see this movie in 3D... do it. The 3d effects are fantastic and extremely entertaining. If you can only see it in 2d, it's still worth the price of admission.






Thanks again, AICN!






- Cody















Alice Cooper's Stalker hung out with Capone in Chicago last night (what a sentence that is)_...







I was one of those lucky souls that got to attend the Chicago premier of Monster House. Let me tell you first of all how great it was to be part of a living, breathing, AICN event. We are part of a community of soul brothers and sisters online that live for the same things. It was nice to see others in the flesh. It was easy to spot others that share the same passion. There were Back to the Future, Skywalker Ranch, Land of the Dead, and Batman T-shirts...all making their appearance.



Anyway, on to the movie. This is GREAT movie. The story was well-crafted and works to entertain both adults and children.



I will say that I have toddlers and I'm not sure I would take them to see this one. It may have been a little too scary for them, but different kids mature at different rates, so parents be warned. I felt like this would have been great for kids over 5. Besides a great story, what really captivated me were the characters. I don't think that I have ever cared for computer-animated characters before.



This movie had me caring. One character in particular stood out to me and that was Chowder, one of the two boys in the movie. Chowder, from the get-go reminded me of Chunk from Goonies in animated form. Yes, Chunk lives again. I was just waiting for him to do the 'Truffle Shuffle.' A couple of times, he nearly did.



Let me switch gears here and also say that the 3D was flawless. There were many opportunities presented here to enjoy the marvels of 3D, but they did so within the context of the story. You didn't have gratitous objects flying at you just to see something in 3D. I came out of the movie believing in the magic of 3D again and very hopeful of the marvels that Cameron might bring to us.



The opening sequence shows a leaf at the top of a tree in perfect 3D. It's autumn, and the leaf falls from the tree, floating gracefully towards the ground. We follow it on it's journey and it's our first introduction to the 3D in the movie. I really enjoyed this. I know that it sounds like a relatively non-cool moment, but it really worked well.



I'm going to keep this review short. I really enjoyed this one. I think kids and parents alike will like it.



It's a must see summer kids movie.











Emanuel sent in his thoughts...




I loved this film.



It's rare to see a film these days
that you thoroughly enjoy from start to finish like
Monster House.



It was extremely fun, which is
something many other films lack these days.

The
characters and plot were all engrossing and the
computer animation was amazing.




I will definitely
watch it again once it hits theaters and will highly
recommend it to all my friends. Thank you for the
screening and a great evening.










This one's from Tiff...




Okay, wow.



Holy freakin' shit!!



The first leaf blew me away, and
that's all it took. I loved the 3D, loved the story, loved the
characters. This movie is so perfect for the "tweens"...and perfect
for any adult who isn't afraid to be a kid again.



You were right about it being the ideal AICN 10th anniversary film.
I still remember when I would read AICN off and on, but definitely
not everyday.



And then I saw that you were showing YOUNG SHERLOCK
HOLMES at your Saturday Morning Kids Club...and we went to the
screening...and I adored you for your intro to the film, how you
would get giddy like a kid about it and still convey to the kids
there what the film really meant at the time...and I loved feeling
like a kid again in the theater. That's what totally won me over and
started my daily read of the site. Having that youthful excitement
about film really IS part of what AICN is about. Thanks, Harry.



And thanks for giving me an excuse to dress up in costume. After
all, I am just about 12 years old inside and enjoy any reason to act
just a little bit odd. Teehee!!












    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 10:52:12 AM CDT

    ok

    by jimmy_009

  • Jul 11, 2006 10:59:50 AM CDT

    I will probably see it.

    by renholder

    A few lines in the trailer made me laugh out loud.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:03:36 AM CDT

    pass.

    by moondoggy2u

    Course, My son will drag me to it anyways...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:04:42 AM CDT

    GCWB

    by renholder

    This guy cracks me up with his corporate DVD strategy at the end of his review. Plot to rip off consumers? Check.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:10:19 AM CDT

    I won't see this movie.

    by engineer_at_peac

    I don't care if Jesus comes back from the dead and gives it two thumbs up, it still looks like trash to me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:11:17 AM CDT

    And also, it's quite possible that thumbs up meant the

    by engineer_at_peac

    opposite back then, so now the film has that against it. Jesus hates the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:11:23 AM CDT

    And thats why youre going to hell, engineer

    by moondoggy2u

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:11:24 AM CDT

    And thats why youre going to hell, engineer

    by moondoggy2u

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:16:30 AM CDT

    And the reward for most convincing review . . .

    by creasybear

    of the bunch, goes to Secretlibrarian. You made what sounds like a pedestrian kiddie movie seem like it might be worth watching even if you're over 13. (Bonus points for the SCTV reference.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:18:33 AM CDT

    How is this any different from...

    by panthermatt

    ... The Goonies? Oh, I get it! This time the fat one is called "Chowder." Cool. Sounds like they've earned my $10.75.
    (that's sarcasm)

    Pirate Ship= House with tongue. No thanks

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:22:16 AM CDT

    Merrick, what' the deal, man?

    by panthermatt

    Buddy, I appreciate the work you do, and all that, and am not trying to come down on you undeservedly, but: As a reviewer, aren't you SUPPOSED to voice your opinion as to what you see as flaws in a film? ESPECIALLY if your view differs from what most people say? It just seems kind of odd to say" I had issues with the film, but nobody else seems to think they're flaws, so I won't mention them"

    Or did I misread something?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:32:12 AM CDT

    Most Telling Line in an AICN Review So Far...

    by samuellappdance

    "The involvement of Executive Producers Stephen Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis did nothing to bolster my competence." Ha! You're right, Merrick. You aren't competent enough to review films made by these two gods of cinema. "Uh, yeah. I had flaws. But I'm too unsure of myself to write them out because the much stroner-willed Harry and Co. are once again giving a site-wide free pass to a good, but far-from-great film."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:46:01 AM CDT

    When a movie is a bit better than the crapfest it seems

    by moondoggy2u

    AICN has the following reaction: "Oh my G-d! It was the most orgasmically cool children's show i've seen in years. LIterally, I felt as though I were twelve again. I remembered fishing with my dad, playing catch, and actually having friends. This movie brought all of that in place and has become the platform from which all other movies must spring. Yes, the animation is a little buggy, yes, the story "homages" past glory films, but it somehow brings it all together with such HEART that you cannot help but be touched, unless your some fucking douce bag who like BRETT FUCKING RATNER! See it! Take your kids to it! Donate money to the production!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:47:29 AM CDT

    one week later, AICN will have the following reaction:

    by moondoggy2u

    "What film was that again? Hey, where are my airline tickets to visit the set of Zemeckis's Beowulf? Anyone?"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:47:49 AM CDT

    I agree on the date change

    by superneal

    If this is released in October/ September- it could really embrace the holiday. IT seems out of place at the end of July

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:50:49 AM CDT

    Merrick REVIEWS MOVIE

    by moondoggy2u

    "Umm, Harry made me watch it and made me write this review of it. It was pretty cool, but there were some problems. But since Harry didnt have those problems, I cant really write about them. Sorry guys."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:53:30 AM CDT

    Merrick has offically become that "Kay, bye" kid

    by moondoggy2u

    from Animaniacs. Yeah, obscure reference, but I was watching that show on tv this morning. kay, bye.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 11:54:12 AM CDT

    Okay, fair enough...

    by joseph merrick

    Your points are extremely well taken. Update coming shortly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:06:09 PM CDT

    Review Addendum

    by joseph merrick

    Thanks for the feedback. Bad call on my part; guess that's what I get for writing before coffee in the mornings. I've aqdded this into the review ------>
    Is it a perfect film? Not even close. There are several points in the film where pacing could be tightened, or sequences might be abbreviated. Occasional moments of extended conversation felt like they needed more coverage (a few more cutaways here and there). As presented, beats are a sometimes awkward and don't feel as natural as the filmmakers undoubtedly intended. Also, it's hard to escape the sense that the movie could be trimmed. Not dramatically, but cutting its running time by five or ten minutes might have freed MH from the "loose" quality some viewers have commented on. These are small qualms to be sure; but the devil's in the details and are the difference between greatness and perfection.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:13:04 PM CDT

    SamuelLappDance

    by amazing inframan

    Gods of cinema? Success doesn't equal quality; Merrick's not the only one who thinks these guys have slipped over the years. Stop drinking Kool Aid.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:15:07 PM CDT

    Thank you, Merrick

    by moondoggy2u

    I completely retrack my snarky "kaye bye" and "harry wont let me come out to play" remark.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:15:40 PM CDT

    I retract them, too

    by moondoggy2u

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:20:52 PM CDT

    MOONDOGGY2U

    by joseph merrick

    No problem. You guys were right. I don't even know what my thought process was when I first posted, and I'm happy to have been straightened out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:20:56 PM CDT

    Thanks, Merrick

    by panthermatt

    Thanks, Merrick!

    I made another comment earlier, albeit a flippant one, but am I wrong in seeing this as an all CGI "Goonies"? Outcast kids, on the verge of puberty, have strong sense of adventure, go to land of many puzzles and traps, etc...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:21:41 PM CDT

    Even before all the positive AICN reviews...

    by jollysleeve

    ...this was the one summer movie I was really looking forward to. Just something about the early trailer appealed to me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 12:33:49 PM CDT

    PANTHER

    by joseph merrick

    You're hitting on one of the things that made me NOT want to see this film: I thought it was gonna be a GOONIES derivation. However, it reminds me of THE GOONIES only in that this features kids being proactive - although reluctantly so. This isn't an "adventure" or a mystery of puzzles and traps. It's a kids-vs-monster story. The house IS a monster, and IS an antagonist, hence the title. It's a clever, mean, bad-ass monster, too. So, what do the kids do if no one believes them? There's a looming threat and a time sensitivty established. The kids have to act...alone. The only real "puzzle" comes from figuring out what the house really is, and why it is the way it is. There's a surprising amount of heart wrapped up in this discovery. So, no, it doesn't go into the territory you're asking about...it's much more direct than that...and it's better for it, as far as I'm concerned.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:11:20 PM CDT

    Ok then!

    by panthermatt

    Thanks for the response, Merrick. That is the first thing I've read that makes me want to go and see the film!
    I appreciate it, man!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 11, 2006 1:19:42 PM CDT

    Saw it in Chicago last night

    by the funketeer

    I liked it a lot. The best part for me was the fact that it was actually scary. They don't make any good scary movies for kids any more and this had some really frightening moments (if you're a kid that is). The 3d was nice in a way that it added more depth to the picture and wasn't constantly making things jump out at you. I don't think there's a good way that they can sell this movie. To describe it does make it sound pretty cheesy but it's a lot of fun and well worth the price of admission.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 1:31:51 PM CDT

    You misspelled "Steven Spielberg"

    by lord bullingdon

    If you wish to correct it.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 1:42:40 PM CDT

    Gil Keenan did NOT go to USC

    by magnetozx

    Hi Merrick. Just FYI, Gil Keenan went to UCLA, not USC. Sorry, but as fellow UCLA alum, it bugs me to see Gil's name associated with USC.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 1:44:15 PM CDT

    *Kenan*

    by magnetozx

    Oops, spelled his name wrong.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 1:45:09 PM CDT

    Yep, Kenan: UCLA not USC

    by lord bullingdon

    And I just noticed you misspelled "Zemeckis"

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  • Jul 11, 2006 1:50:24 PM CDT

    At least there are no farting CGI animals in this one

    by osmosis jones

    Honestly, the character designs in Any Bully are RIDICULOUSLY close to Antz.

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  • Jul 11, 2006 10:10:14 PM CDT

    The trailer IS pretty bad

    by rupee88

    I guess I will wait to see the Tomatometer on this before I bother seeing it somehow (not at the theater). It looks horrible from the trailer, but I don't think everyone here could be a plant, so maybe the trailer did not do it justice. I'll try to give it a chance even though I still suspect I'm too old to enjoy it.

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  • Jul 12, 2006 1:02:32 AM CDT

    MH, Goonies & plotlines

    by cold winter wind

    I usedta subscribe to Writers Digest mag, and I read an article by some Prof. of English Lit at one of the 'flyover' states (god I love that expression). The gist of his article was that, of some 5,000 stage plays, screenplays, novels, etc., written over the last 300 or so years and they all boiled down to one of 13 basic plotlines. So I'm willing to cut 'Hollywood' a little bit of slack on the 'this' movie is just a re-hash of 'that' movie. I don't care if it's re-hash, just make it a fresh batch. I hate reheated hash.

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  • Jul 12, 2006 3:52:27 AM CDT

    Must say I don't like the look of the trailer-

    by laserbrain

    but, dammit, I'll put my money down if only to keep Dan Harmon cashed up so that he can someday make an obscenely over-budget LASER FART feature film. "Vietnam.....VietNAMMM!"

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