If you expect little more from a film than good special-effects, then you may find this film worthy of your time. If, however, you value character depth along with an interesting story-line, I suggest that you not spend your time watching this film. First, the characters in this film are very flat, all of whom embody the values typical of what the moderately educated middle-class place so high: a reverence and desire for all things that, on the surface, seem worthy of attaining (money). More specifically you have the 'caring, yet bumbling Dad just trying to secure a future for his family'; 'the hot and naive teenage daughter', whom, because of her good looks, we are supposed to pity when she is unjustly assaulted by one of the ghosts ; 'the mouthy Negro woman who 'tells it like it is''; and, of course, 'the sketchy character of the family that cannot be trusted', namely the rich uncle.
The story-line of the film is told before the backdrop of these lame characters. And as if the plot were not already predictable, it is then explained to the viewer TWICE! The result is devastating for the movement of the plot, as any interesting ending it could have had is laid bare for the viewer. The reason for this self-sabotage suggests that the makers of this film either believe its viewers to be completely stupid, or have no clear idea how to tell a story with an eye to holding the audience's interest. This is not a work of art as good cinema is, but just a collection of archetypal characters supporting a very tired and weak formulaic story-line. The special-effects are fairly good, but they can and never will be a replacement for rounded characters, an interesting story-line, and artful scripting. Leave this film on the shelf.
The story-line of the film is told before the backdrop of these lame characters. And as if the plot were not already predictable, it is then explained to the viewer TWICE! The result is devastating for the movement of the plot, as any interesting ending it could have had is laid bare for the viewer. The reason for this self-sabotage suggests that the makers of this film either believe its viewers to be completely stupid, or have no clear idea how to tell a story with an eye to holding the audience's interest. This is not a work of art as good cinema is, but just a collection of archetypal characters supporting a very tired and weak formulaic story-line. The special-effects are fairly good, but they can and never will be a replacement for rounded characters, an interesting story-line, and artful scripting. Leave this film on the shelf.