Product: The Haunting [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 2.0
A big, noisy disappointment.
Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" is a masterpiece of subtle psychological terror. But hey, this is Hollywood-- who needs subtlety when you've got computer graphics? An utter waste of a talented cast and a gorgeously sinister set, The Haunting leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. Its mildly creepy beginning, quickly dissolves into a lot of people running around while things explode and/or do something expensive around them. Likewise, the CGI effects are nifty when they're scarcely used, but get less and less convincing as they take up more and more of the screen. (I won't even mention the lovable ghost children.) There is one, only one, good scare in the entire movie. Neeson just mopes, and Zeta-Jones fans may be disappointed that she flirts more with Lili Taylor than anyone else. Taylor herself is wonderful as usual, despite a finale that improbably sets her up as some kind of supernatural Rambo. Owen Wilson injects some much-needed charm and comic relief into the proceedings-- and then a fireplace eats his head. If you want intelligent chills, try "The Sixth Sense." If you want a fun, spooky romp, check out "Sleepy Hollow." Otherwise, buy the book, skip the movie.