The plot of the film tells about a simple guy Jacob, who tries to understand the dark past of his untimely deceased grandfather. The film takes as a basis only the first book of the series, while being a complete and complete story. Neither the plot nor the modest box office do not give a hint of continuation. Which is a good thing, because the following books of the series are very dull. The plot of the film is interesting and fascinating, but there are not enough stars from the sky. Sometimes the tense atmosphere that arises is interrupted by naive and absolutely unnecessary melodrama. The visuals are beautiful. Burton’s style, albeit manifested itself only in a few moments, gives the picture a bit of special charm, which will undoubtedly be appreciated by fans of the director’s work.
The cast is far from as good as we would like. Samuel L. Jackson is brilliant as a villain. Eva Greene is slightly inferior to him in expressiveness, but also good. But the rest are barely up to the level, especially when compared with the first two. As bright as the makeup of the inhabitants of the shelter, so pale is their play. Ella Pernell, Finlay McMillan, Lauren McCrosty - the faces that you will have to look at most of the film, are anguished by their fading. Asa Butterfield, playing the role of the main character, plays a little better, but against the background of Jackson and he looks on the achty.
Another less significant, but still minus - the final. Not the one the writers attributed to the plot of the book, but the last few minutes. The love line in the film is generally crumpled, but its so sweet ending is not at all appropriate. These few minutes look like the director was forced to stick to them.
In general, the film was a pleasant teenage fantasy, but do not expect more from him. The darkness of "Sleepy Hollow" or the depth of "Big Fish" he did not reach, and certainly did not aspire to it.
7 out of 10
Original