SPOILER WARNING - great film until just before the end

Rating: 6/10 (16 November 2007)

I felt excited about seeing this as I'd adored the short story (the film cites it as a novella) when I was a kid, and for the most part the film didn't disappoint. The film capitalizes wonderfully on how powerful your imagination can be sparking up fear and tension when you can't see what's going bump and howl outside. The added bass sounds from the overly loud theater next door actually enhanced the experience.
***SPOILER - However, after seeing the preview screening last night, and hearing the crowd's general reaction to the ending, I hope that there is an alternate final reel of this film to swap in before the film releases generally. If there isn't a replacement for the final reel, and you hear the comment about how there are only four bullets left, snatch your jacket and head out of the theater to safely depart with nothing but largely positive feelings about the experience dancing in your noggin. Otherwise, likely you'll feel cheated, as in, why should I have cared, because the ending doesn't have precident and is simply too cruel to suit the tone of the film that preceded it. Similar to the original ending to Clerks, if you've seen that depressing and ultimately empty attempt at cruel irony from the DVD's bonus menu. END SPOILER*** ***CREATURE DESCRIPTION SPOILERS - The creatures are generally well introduced and although herald from easily recognizable influences, they're the right influences, like Geiger, Half-Life 2, Eight Legged Freaks, and your usual suspects from the insect, arachnoids, and crustacean realms, with a dash of wonderful Cthulhu teethed tentacle action to set the bar early. Though there were brief points when lighting didn't match between the CGI and the practical, for the most part the composites were well done, further, there was enough juxtaposition of particle props and CGI during the midst of the more action packed scenes to keep the experience dynamic and gratifying. END CREATURE DESCRIPTION SPOILERS*** The film's cadence ramps well, although if you haven't seen the trailer yet, don't, as its a spoiler for some key beats best left a surprise.
Andre Braugher does an excellent job bringing his elitist lawyer personae to life, and Marcia Gay Harden deserves an award or at least public kudos for doing for this film what Kathy Bates did for Misery. She's stunning in this!