#advanced screening

A couple of weekends ago I went to see Will Smith’s and Tom Holland’s latest film.

And it was alright. This is definitely a kids’ movie. The plot is simple, the storyline is easy to follow, and the characters are clear and predictable. I went with my 11-year-old nephew, and he quite enjoyed it, but this isn’t the typical spectacle that we have gotten so used to seeing in movies this year.

What I did really like is Tom Holland’s character, Walter Beckett. This movie is about him, which isn’t very clear at the beginning, but we are the world learning to see through the eyes (and heart) of Walter Beckett.

This might just be a children’s film, but the weird and quirky things that are usually for comic relief are actually part of the lesson. I loved that - especially in a world where we’re made to learn to “fit in” and not break the “status quo”! As kids, it’s the worse to be told you’re too weird or bizarre and you can’t make friends because others don’t understand. Without giving too much away, we’re taught to learn to accept being weird and accept others for their weirdness because it just might be the thing we need.

AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE IT!!

I don't care what some critics and reviewers say. This was a perfect marriage of The Shining and the time that has passed (and from what I hear it was a good homage to the book too)!

Full disclosure: I do not do horror movies with ghosts. The only thing from the original film that haunts me to this day is the lady from the bathroom. But this movie plays on the creepy, the tension, and the anticipation. I feared the human characters way more than the ghostly aspect of it, but of course I can't sleep without a blanket over my head now because of ghosts.

The story is well told, it's comprehensive, and it's so very well acted!! I absolute would add this to my Halloween playlist! For people who want to watch horror movies without the dumb jump scares, THIS IS THE ONE! But don't take my word for it. Go see it for yourself!