Trying to grasp how many stories have been influenced in some way or another by Lovecraft would not be easy. This isn’t just the occasional movie with a subtle adapation or the occasional homage; you’d need entire libraries of art, literature and music and could not ignore the studios actively in production today which have in some way or another borrowed some ideas of his wild creativity and made them the central spine of a new story.
The theme of an ancient universal evil and its disasterous entry into the modern world is so original and threatening that our own understanding of technology and reality become aggressively questioned on a primal level. There’s no use turning to the men of science – they were even the first ones to give up in this dark world. And even from a distant perspective, one can see the question of religion and supersitution which exists in competition (or perhaps as part?) of our consumerist culture.
In this wretchedly dull family flick about demons escaping from their hellish realm and clawing into earth via a middle class backyard, the viewer sadly must face different questions about their sanity as to what force encouraged them to watch it in the first place. Presumably crafted to be a Home Alone meets Color From Outer Space, several children are faced with survival against the demonic presence emanating from a crashed meteor which threatens to break down more than just their surburian picket fence but into our very world itself.
Drab, repetitive, predictable and dull, this is more a case of the superficial than the supernatural. With a predominantly cast of children, there is at least some attempt to explore their joys, yet little to exploit their fears. This is what really stood out most to me – the two-dimensional stereotypical characters and their lack of personality. That isn’t to say the acting was badly bad; they are so poorly written and prepared to a depth for the impending destruction that unfolds.
The special effects aren’t that bad, with some surprising monster elements and gentle body horror, and the elementary plodding pace finally picks up towards the end making for a somewhat satisfying ending providing you could ever manage the first 15 minutes. What can’t be forgiven are the cartoon-like protagonists. With a set built in the family home, there is sadly little exploration of disasters that can happen there too without need for something from outer space; and this was released only a year after Stephen King’s It, whom was at least prepared with writing young minds who were coping beyond the agony of losing a toy rocket ship.
A sad casuality is the outstanding “Love Will Find A Way” by Vince Carlucci. This hit is played during the party scene in the early stages of the film and is sadly lost in time. What a great track. What a horrible end. Trapped forever in a mediocre children’s film. Someone must have pissed off the old gods real good for this.
4/10
Possession Media 