THE RAVEN

Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs

THE RAVEN

GRADE: B -

John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McNally, Sam Hazeldine

Written by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare

Directed By James McTeigue

Once inside a darkened theater, I sat to watch the latest feature, a rather strange and curious horror movie set in 1800's Baltimore.
As I sat there, in my press seat, the first two victims soon were dead meat, As the plot began and the cast of characters quickly took the floor,

"'Tis John Cusack," I muttered, "once a favorite-
                But in 2012 he was something of a bore."

As I remember, to be frank, his last good film was Grosse Point Blank, But since, he's underwhelmed me – sitting through his films has been a chore.

Eagerly I hoped for better - my fair date (I'm glad I met her)
Sat beside me as I watched this tale of mystery, and humor mixed with gore.

The collective works of Edgar Allan, filled with blood spilled by the gallon,

Contain many a haunting theme that I was longing to explore -
And this movie promised intrigue, and the director, a man called McTeigue, had

impressed me with his work on V For Vendetta several years before.

The story centers, rather simply, on a Police Detective, young and pimply,

Investigating murders based on works by Poe/Cusack, whom I believe I mentioned here before.
Inspector Fields (played by Luke Evans), makes a promise to the heavens

He vows to stop these ghastly killings, though they make the film more thrilling,

But he must have help to solve these crimes– a fact he simply can't ignore;
So he seeks the aid of  Poe to guide him, to solve the crimes, right there beside him.
A buddy cop team, like Gibson and Glover,

But Edgar is distracted by his lover,
Whom he plans to marry, though her father will not let him in the door.
                Tis' plot exposition, and nothing more.

Presently the film builds tension; and did I forget to mention,
The rather grim and spooky atmosphere created by the score?
Soon, the future bride is kidnapped, and Edgar finds himself quite entrapped,
And forced to join Inspector Fields in this deadly game of cat and mouse based on stories

written long before.

And there it is;
                A simple premise, nothing more.

Guy Ritchie's Holmes is a clear influence, mixed with Die Hard With A Vengeance,

And Stephen King's Misery is tapped as inspiration, as this recalls those films and probably several more.

Though the film is far from greatness, I couldn't bring myself to hate this entertaining and diverting piece of cheesy Gothic lore. It's watchable and kills an evening, and after all. that is the main thing that a film like this is aspiring to and striving for,
                Still, I think, it could have been much more.

Cusack gives a grand performance, his Poe is filled with haunts and torments,
A quite imperfect hero but one the audience can easily root for.
His biting quips are quite delightful, and though his attitude is spiteful,

He's rather sympathetic and his subtle charm impossible to ignore.

Fairing worse is the young actress who plays his love (she needs some practice)
Her acting isn't awful but she made me start to snore.
The film is dark, and rather gory, as scares are placed ahead of story;-
                'Tis a horror film and little more!

But I found it entertaining, and certainly nowhere near as draining
As many a serial killer yarn I have suffered through before.
Unlikely to be on my ten best list, but it hit more often than it missed, and fans of Poe should quite enjoy the literary references in store;

This film is rated R for ample violence, sensuality, profanity and gore. Not family friendly, 

But in the end me thinks the audience it's aimed at should enjoy

The Gothic atmosphere and blood and guts galore.
                A fun diverting popcorn film, and nothing more.