Magnificent Ghost Story

Rating: 9/10 (7 February 2012)

I enjoyed the original movie this one is based on a great deal and went into the theater hoping that the producers had remained true to the feeling of the original movie. For once, I was not disappointed. This is an excellent adaptation that changes just enough of the elements to make the movie reach a more modern audience. The updated special effects are done subtly so that they don't overpower the plot and mood of the movie.
The mood is what makes this move so unique and the way it builds up. Daniel Radcliffe is the beginning of that mood doing an excellent job of portraying a man who is already melancholy for personal reasons. He comes to a village that seems to be shrouded in a miasma of fear and superstition. The dark mood builds steadily unfolding at just the right pace to create and maintain tension to the movie's conclusion.
There are jump scenes in the movie, but they add to instead of destroying the tension. The acting is excellent. The story is solid and compelling, the characters are ones we can sympathize with. The setting is magnificent, the house and grounds and village all have their own unique personality. Even the use of color is carefully manipulated to create a sense of place and contrast of mood. The movie as a whole is a beautiful piece of art.
This is the best ghost story I have seen in a very long time and as a fan of horror, that is saying a great deal.