All in all, at least it is better than Sin City.

Rating: 3/10 (10 June 2007)

Another one of those anointed films that people have to make junk up about to rationalize their obsession. Bottom line is: lots of people these days love to watch films that are about little more than CRUELTY ... slasher films, supposed psychological thrillers, and others. At the end of the day, they're just an excuse to sell tickets via showing cruelty. So, this film takes that path but adds a fairly good story and some good acting and some a strange interaction between a 20th century civil war and fairy tale darkness. Contrary to the opinions of some here, no those two worlds did not blend well. That is one of the fundamental problems with the film. We can spend hours finding ways the two worlds may intersect, ways the two themes speak to universal truths, but, hey, why don't you just go back to flippin burgers. In this film, they clash, not blend. Discord, not harmony.
At least, unlike others who were disappointed, I didn't have "unsurmountable expectations". Even so, I was disappointed. I agree that it feels half-baked and the fantasy world goes completely unrealized and remains paper thin throughout. Contrary to the opinions of some here, the pale creature is not "devastatingly creepy". He is interesting. He is well done. He is in the film for about 2 minutes. In those 2 minutes, he does nothing really creepy.
Another fundamental problem is that, other than the girl, nobody is really likable. You know, it would have helped if we could have liked the mother, at least. Or, if Mercedes wasn't so stupid that she didn't kill the Captain. Really. Who with half a brain says, "You won't be the first pig I've gutted!" to someone lying helpless on the floor, and then turns around and runs away ... with little hope of escaping and no real idea that running away sooner really makes escape more likely. Just dumb writing. I won't bother with other holes.