Interesting but spoiled effort

Rating: 4/10 (15 March 2015)

Mama presents an enticing story and has several scary moments. However, it also has an unlikely plot with some overused (yet underdeveloped) clichés and too many characters, resulting in serious plot holes. Besides, the conclusion really sucks.
The first two-thirds are by far the best. Like so many horror movies, Mama is better at building suspense than at solving it in a coherent whole. The monster is originally made in comparison with most ghost flicks and scary enough but only as long as it is hinted at -- as soon as it is fully displayed it looks weird and almost funny.
Recommended only for those having no problem in belief suspension, or for women interested in the dramatic line underlying the main plot.