Today’s quick review: Alone in the Dark. Ever since Lionel Hudgens (Matthew Walker) subjected him to paranormal experiments as a child, Edgar Carnby (Christian Slater) has sought the truth about his past. His journey has take him across the globe in search of artifacts from the Abkani, an ancient civilization that tampered with dark forces. Edgar’s search finally comes to a head when Lionel finds what he needs to unleash the darkness again.
Alone in the Dark is a budget action horror movie from director Uwe Boll. It is loosely based on the video game of the same name. Alone in the Dark follows Edgar, his girlfriend Aline (Tara Reid), and his rival Burke (Stephen Dorff) as they try to stop the creatures Lionel Hudgens has released in his quest for power. The movie makes a credible effort with its plot and action, but its shaky fundamentals mean that it brings little to the table.
Alone in the Dark actually delivers decent action by the standards of budget films. The fights avoid the usual trap of being too static, offering plenty of gunfire, a modest amount of secenery damage, and adequate creature designs. Even so, the movie’s action leaves a lot to be desired. The movie never manages convincing gore or suspense, the stunts are not especially ambitious, and the creatures are animated with bottom-of-the-barrel CGI.
Alone in the Dark is on even shakier footing when it comes to its story. The basics of the story work well enough: a paranormal investigator, secret experiments, evil creatures, and a power-crazed scientist. But when it comes to stitching them all together, Alone in the Dark runs into trouble. Its main characters are constantly behind the curve, doing little to drive the plot. The plot itself has plenty of holds and leads to an unsatisfying payoff.
Missing in all of this is the horror movie Alone in the Dark purports to be. Every now and then the film will remember its title, going through the motions of suspense for a brief moment. but these moments are poorly handled and doled out infrequently. Alone in the Dark latches onto action early and sticks with it, focusing more on its characters shooting at the creatures than building up any sort of tension or sense of atmosphere.
As such, Alone in the Dark has very little to recommend it. Other movies with higher budgets and clearer vision scratch the same urban fantasy itch, while the movie’s horror contribution is almost nonexistent. Alone in the Dark shows faint potential, with action scenes and plot points that could have worked in better hands. But its pervasive weaknesses in terms of acting, tone, and writing mean that most viewers will want to skip it.
For a paranormal investigator backed by a more interesting world and better plot beats, try Constantine. For a more colorful, comedic, and action-packed take on urban fantasy, try Hellboy. For globe-trotting fantasy adventure with a more fun tone, try the Librarian movies. For a Uwe Boll film of more ambitious scope, try In the Name of the King.
2.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 3.5 for poor execution of a generic story.