A great nod to a Horror Heritage

Rating: 9/10 (26 June 2012)

My earliest exposure to Hammer Horror films was with my Dad when he would let me stay up late and watch the horror movies of Hammer Horror's heyday in the 60's and 70's. What I remember from those movies is the slightly left field plot lines, and a certain kind of over the top acting. Great actors like Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing made these movies so incredibly watchable.
The woman in black pays homage to these early roots of horror, which to my mind was the original and best. Though this movie has special effects, it didn't go over the top using them, instead relying on old school scare tactics. Daniel Radcliffe's character looked quite out of depth throughout the whole movie, which I believe is what he intended. Ciaran Hinds was excellent as usual. The supporting cast was also pretty decent, though if I had a criticism; it would have been nicer to have a bit more back story.
I thought the plot was quite good and it avoided going down the road of cliché. The ending was not really what I was expecting at all, and without giving anything away left me with a few chills, and that is exactly what horror should do! I recommend watching this moving wholeheartedly. Sure, it wont win awards, and the more snobbish cinema-goer will look down his nose at it, but it is a great movie by the standards of great entertainment.
I hope that the name of Hammer Horror has a well deserved renaissance, as the movie world would be a better place because of it. Bring on the next one!