King Continues to Score Big

Rating: Null/10 (12 June 2010)

1408 is one of the best damn Stephen King films I've seen in years and that's saying something considering there's been quite a few! If ever a body of work demanded remakes all across the board, King's adaptations would be at the top of that list! It was just incredibly refreshing to be able to sit down and watch a competent, mature horror film directed by a highly capable director like Mikael (Derailed) Håfström as well as starring a talented, and likable, actor like John Cusack. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a small part of me that yearned to hear a New England accent or see King himself in a goofy little cameo but that's just my love for cheese rearing its tacky head as it so often does. Despite the film's PG-13 rating, it takes itself dead serious and never once caters to the teeny bopper crowd by dragging out clichéd scare tactics or torturous "pop chic" dialog.
Truthfully, this movie probably could have worked just as well with some other actor but John Cusack was perfect for the role of Mike Enslin. He did a wonderful job of portraying a damaged husband and grieving father, one could hardly fault the guy for wanting to prove to the world there's no fairytale afterlife awaiting usno promise of Heavenno God to protect us. I wouldn't say Cusack has an incredible range when it comes to acting; he seems to be the same character in every film he's in (like Christopher Walken). Nevertheless he pulled it off and that's all that counts.
If you're a King fan, this will definitely impress you. If you're a Cusack fan, I'd say this film makes up for Serendipity. If you're just looking for some original horror that doesn't rely on gore, sex or CG than you've definitely gotta give this film a shot! Solid flick indeed.