Shock shock, horror horror...

Rating: 7/10 (29 May 2009)

I saw this movie tonight on a spur-of-the-moment decision and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm not a big fan of horror films, and I'm not particularly familiar with Raimi's work , so I can't review this as a Raimi film, but I can review it as a film in general.
The concept is simple enough; everyday woman wants to get ahead in life, makes a harsh decision, gets cursed. You pretty much know what you're in for. The ordinary life scenes play out in a pleasant fashion, very reminiscent of the Spiderman series. The production value can really be seen in these scenes.
The best parts of the film, however, are the creepy suspenseful moments just before the obligatory shock. These are superbly set up, especially in the first 2 acts. Simply by employing a subtle camera move, Raimi scoots each and every audience member to the edge of their seats, gripping the closest thing to them. Then the shocking element comes. This, I feel, is where the film loses it. The first few shocks are genuinely terrifying (I won't spoil anything, but hold onto your hair when you see it ;)). After the first few though, it just gets silly. They use the same technique of a loud noise and shoving something very close to the camera. This technique is almost guaranteed to get a rise out of the audience, but could technically be executed using a rubber ducky and have the same effect.
Other reviewers have commented on the use of humour in this film, and how it's faithful to Raimi's comedy. I, however, found it cheap and that it ruined the atmosphere. There was one scene in which our heroine is battling the old woman. She looks up to see an anvil precariously suspended above her head. The anvil hits the woman and her eyes fly out of her skull towards the main character in a very Road Runner-esquire manner....no really!
The biggest downfall to this film was the long list of plot holes and 'Why didn't she just..' moments. I don't think this was aided by the acting, which in my honest opinion, was dreadful. Alison Lohman makes for an annoying, whiney lead character for which I had no sympathy. She seemed more involved with her work promotion than the demon ready to relieve her of her soul within the next couple of days. Dileep Rao, who plays the spiritual adviser, cannot be taken seriously after his first couple of lines. I thought that Lorna Raver actually pulled off the gypsy hag quite well.
I could go on about this film and some of its pitfalls all night, but seens as I've already bored my friends, I think I'll conclude;
I enjoyed it a lot, don't expect 'The Ring' style creepy horror, think jumpy shock horror. Oh, and sleep with the light on!
-Ben