Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Jan de Bont, Umbrella Entertainment.
Cast: Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, Lili Taylor.
Jan de Bont, who has delivered some notable films, has turned his attention to something totally different. This one is a bit of a scary ride.
His noteworthy films include Lara Craft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Twister and Speed 2: Cruise Control. He also thrilled us with Speed.
The Haunting, an American supernatural horror film, is a remake of the 1963 British psychological horror film of the same name. Both of them are based on the 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
This is about a team of paranormal experts who look into strange occurrences in an ill-fated house where alarming things start to happen immediately. Through the course of the night some will untangle, there will be some questions and everyone will fight for their lives from forces within.
The 1999 horror tale focuses on visitors to the secluded mansion of Hill House as part of a study on insomnia. Psychology professor Dr. David Marrow (Neeson) is at the helm, but under false pretences. Marrow is really investigating fear, with plans to scare the subjects.
The three subjects are the reserved Nell (Taylor), who has spent years taking care of an invalid mother, attractive Theo (Zeta-Jones) and a surfer-type, Luke (Wilson). Unfortunately for Marrow and everyone staying at Hill House, the manor is actually haunted by an evil spirit out to torment its guests.
The second adaptation has Nell, as a key figure in the film, a woman whose life has been on hold until the ghosts of Hill House start to tell their story.
Due to the inventive and impressive special effects, sets, designs, arts direction and backdrops, you can overlook some of the story flaws.
