Clichéd, but watchable

Rating: 4/10 (15 December 2007)

Stephen King has cranked out so many stories in the last 35 years that he long ago ceased coming up with any original ideas. His stories repeat and recycle the same ideas and concepts endlessly, and this film is certainly no exception.
Of course, King is not to blame for this by-the-numbers, clichéd script, which just barely manages to be watchable, but there's nothing here you haven't seen before. King's Overlook Hotel, in his breakthrough novel "The Shining", was the same contrivance, but far more effective. There wasn't a single scene or idea in "1408" that I haven't seen in another horror film, usually more than once. The story fails to build suspense; it's just a series of run-of-the-mill horror set pieces --- blood dripping from walls, radios and TVs turning themselves on (and continuing to run when unplugged) --- ghosts flitting across the room, etc. etc.
The production design is handsome enough, and John Cusack's performance rescues the film from being a complete embarrassment. Since he's by himself for at least half the film's running time, he has to carry the picture, and this is no small accomplishment. A less talented actor might well have fallen short. Samuel L. Jackson does as much as can be expected in a very small role.
Other than that, it's standard fare for horror fans. I seriously thought about turning it off about halfway through, but I managed to stick it out till the end.
Hopefully, it's not giving away too much to say I was mildly surprised by the ending. That's something.