More like an extreme version of CITV's Scary Sleepover

Rating: 6/10 (29 December 2012)

I've got to admit, when I saw the trailer for 1408 I thought that it looked a bit naff. OK, so it may have been a few years ago but I can still remember some images that looked slightly try-hard. However, when I saw that my favourite critic gave it 5 stars (usually what he loves, I love) I thought that I should give it a chance. After all, I'm a great fan of the horror genre and the idea of someone trying to survive the night in a haunted hotel room does sound very appealing to me. However, by the end of it the major feeling which I felt was disappointment. Ultimately 1408 was not scary like everyone said it was and I didn't think that the story was strong enough to hold my attention for it's entire running time. However, that's not to say that it's terrible and I regret buying it, because I don't think I do.
First off, I loved the build-up. I loved how we followed the likable if not cocky character of John Cusack, I liked how we got to see his work and what he did etc. I also loved the cryptic postcard sending him to room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. I also loved the whole background of the hotel and how it kept us in suspense as to what is so terrible about the room. What I loved the most, and what I think was possibly the best scene in the film, was the confrontation between John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson, the hotel manager. The dialogue was involving and it really made you want to see what was going to happen in that room! The whole build-up to getting to the room in the lift and everything was also brilliant! Of course, a build-up like this which offers great things could easily turn into a let-down, and I'm afraid that that's what it ultimately did.
The simplicity of the room was wonderful. There seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary with it and nothing spooky happened for a while, until the digital clock turns into a countdown. Now I was thinking that this is when things are about to pick up and poor old John Cusack is going to have the night of his life! Which he does, but unfortunately I didn't get the night of my life. For me it almost seemed like an unfunny version of the Evil Dead 2 at times. With it aborting to cheap and clichéd haunted house scares such as the wall suddenly being cracked and blood coming through it, the clock working even though it's unplugged etc. It even seemed desperate at times to scare you such as with the living corpse in the pipey thing, but it's something we've all seen before and seen much better.
1408 sort of became repetitive, with the room constantly changing, showing how it's messing with John Cusack's mind without really having much to say. I felt that it had similar themes and ideas that were explored much, much more effectively and emotionally in Shutter Island. However, the film was undeniably effective at getting inside John's head. I felt that I was going as crazy as he was at times! There's a wonderfully claustrophobic atmosphere and sense of entrapment. The room was also incredibly cruel at times, which I liked (not in a sick way). I also have to admit that the directing and camera-work was superb, it never made you feel bored about being in the room, it was just the room's constant mind blows that became boring. It did make me feel dizzy at times and for that I applaud it.
It's just a shame that the story wasn't strong enough! The whole idea with the flashbacks was wonderful, but there simply wasn't enough there to sustain attention. In the end it just became a film showing off its big budget with endless gimmicks that became tiresome and not at all scary. 1408 does however have redeeming factors, and it did effectively eff my mind, but I was ultimately left feeling disappointed and I think that the film could've offered me more. In addition, John Cusack did give a really brilliant performance as Stephen King adaptations often do. However I'd stick to the likes of The Shining, Misery and Carrie, for this is unfortunately not up there with them.