Movie Review : Boogeyman by Tim

Years later Tim, with a slight closet phobia and a compulsive need to look under the bed, has been told that his father abandoned him and his mother, and that his experience with the Boogeyman was all in his head.  When his mother dies, Tim returns to the house where it happened.  A Child Counselor tells Tim that he should spend the night in the house as a form of therapy.

Once inside his childhood home, Tim hears various creaks, sees various shadows and begins a downward spiral into the realization that it was not in his head, and the Boogeyman is real.  Those close to Tim begin to disappear.  With the help of a mysterious girl, Tim tries to confront the Boogeyman head-on, and put an end to the terror that has haunted him since he was a young boy.

Overall the movie is…okay.  The second film from Ghost House Pictures, Sam Raimi and Rob Tappert’s horror label, fails to live up to the thrills and chills of the first picture, "The Grudge".  For those who were critical of "The Grudge’s" lack of a compelling story line, relying more on scares than plot, THIS IS NOT THE MOVIE FOR YOU!

There is not a lot of story happening in "Boogeyman".  It’s a very simple premise, stretched to the limits in order to be a feature film.  There are, however, some very scary moments, including one scene with a bunch of children which will definitely send a chill down your spine.

The acting is pretty good.  There are not very many characters, and most of the film is spent with Tim by himself.  Watson is good, and looks like the product of genetic cross-breading between Timothy Olyphant and Skeet Ulrich.

The "Boogeyman" himself is disappointing.  He appears cool if he is on the screen for less than a split second, but anything more than that and you feel like you’re watching a video game character on screen (damn you computer generated effects!!!  Damn your soul to hell!!).

The absolute standout and real star of the film is director Stephen Kay.  There are a lot of amazing camera shots going on here.  With little story, and only one actor, Kay compensates with frenetic camera movement and some of the most amazing angles I’ve seen in a long time.  In this respect (and ONLY THIS RESPECT) it is reminiscent of what Raimi himself did in "The Evil Dead" (which is going to be remade by Ghost House in the near future -> BLASPHEMY!!!!).  The camera almost becomes a character in the film, and makes for some unsettling moments.
If you’re happy with scares and not a lot of story, then you will enjoy the film.  If you’re looking for more…look elsewhere.  Worth seeing on the big screen for the surround-sound and interesting visuals.

GRADE:  C +
Review by Tim Hannigan.