David Pierdomenico
It’s always interesting to see directors attempt to leave their comfort zone and do something out their usual element. It was with that open-minded approach that Eli Roth directed this film. His intention was to make a “gateway” horror film, to get kids into the genre before they were able to watch the more inappropriate “R” rated films. And it genuinely seems like he took that approach to it. Which makes it all the more frustrating that the film ultimately fails to live up to what it could have been.
Sense of Wonder
The film opens by tugging at the nostalgic heartstrings with the old fashioned Universal logo followed by an orchestra of clocks ticking. Older fans will certainly be reminded of Back to the Future. And with this film’s 1950’s setting, it certainly helps to capture that feeling of old school childhood wonder that was present in so many films of the past. From there, we meet Lewis (Owen Vaccaro), whose parents have just died, as he journeys to Michigan to live with his eccentric Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black). He meets his uncle’s neighbor Florence (Cate Blanchett), and soon discovers that they are involved with magic and has a desire to learn. All the while, he struggles with fitting in at school, and attempts to use his magic to impress a friend. Which is course has disastrous results.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls could very easily have just felt like a cheap imitation of Harry Potter, but to the film’s credit, it has its own unique tone and style. Roth’s horror background shines as there are scenes of legitimate suspense and dread. So in many ways, the film succeeds at being something that kids can watch, but not being afraid to scare them a little. There are also several examples of dark humor that wouldn’t normally be found a kid’s film. Had the film gone all out with this, it could have easily been a masterpiece. However, one person stands in its way, and that person is Jack Black.
Woefully Miscast
In no way is Jack Black a terrible actor. Certainly his style of humor isn’t for everyone, but occasionally it works very well to a film’s benefit. He was brilliant in Orange County, School of Rock, and Tropic Thunder. However in The House with a Clock in Its Walls, his sense of humor feels out of place. His antics are over the top, in your face, and often juvenile in nature. Which all just seems to clash with overall tone of the rest of the film. Cate Blanchett does a better job of being subtle and more eccentric in her role. It’s understandable to want the other lead to be the opposite so as to foil her, but Black just goes too far with it. In a film with humor this witty and dark, it’s annoying that the same bodily humor joke is repeated three times!
Timeless Classic?
Despite Jack Black’s miscasting, the rest of the ensemble works well, particularly the child actors. They don’t have quite the same chemistry as the kids from Stranger Things, but they’re still pretty good. It’s extremely well shot, something which Roth usually delivers on. He prefers to use more traditional shooting/editing techniques. However, given the film’s setting, it probably would have benefited from being shot on film rather than digital, as well as using more practical effects than CGI. This would have made the film feel like it was from an older time.
Overall, the film achieves its goal in making something creepy and scary that kids can enjoy. Had it gone all out with this, and had anyone else played Uncle Jonathan, it would have been brilliant, rather than just average/decent. At times the film feels like it’s struggling between goofy comedy and witty, dark humor.
