Inkheart
Directed by: Iain Softley
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis
Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: PG
Plot: Mo Folchart (Fraser) is a "silvertongue" - someone who can bring the words of books to life by reading them out loud. Ten years ago, he lost his wife when he read from fantasy novel Inkheart, and is now trying to retrieve her with the help of his daughter (Bennett) and various characters from the book. An adaptation of the book of the same title written by Cornelia Funke.
Who’s It For? Anyone in elementary school, but anyone else should have problems with the performances and lack of explained plot.
Movie: So, Mo is a silvertongue, yet doesn't it seem like they're a dime a dozen? Speaking of dime a dozen, Fraser completely mails in this performance, it never once seems like he cares about being a father or hero. And how the heck does someone become a silvertongue? Giving us that sort of knowledge would help. I wanted this film is at least talk to little girls who love to read, but it simply proves you shouldn't start the movie, if you have a book to read instead. Helen Miren, Jim Broadbent and Paul Bettany join Fraser as seeming out of place. Though at least Bettany gives it his all as Dustfinger. The problem is, he just keeps repeating the logic of "trying to help, but then screws everyone over on purpose." Even with the help of Toto and unicorns Inkheart never makes the imagination seem exciting.
Score: 3/10
EXTRAS
Eliza Reads to Us: Cornelia Funke is excited to have Eliza Bennettt read a moment from the book that didn't get into the film. They give fair warning that if you haven't seen the movie you should wait on watching this extra. Bennett gives a good read, and the creativity given out during this excerpt proves the book is superior to the adapatation.
The other extras: None
Extras Score: 4/10
OVERALL
With a lack of extras, and a leading performance by Fraser, all aspects of Inkheart seem lazy. There's enough proof now that you can't slap together a children's story, put it on the screen and get Harry Potter. Heck, even some decent kid flicks get overlooked, like The Spiderwick Chronicles. Don't think you've found a reading role-model in Eliza Bennett's Meggie. Instead just pick up the book and have your child spend their time that way instead.
Final Score: 4/10