by Kevin Powers

Created on: February 06, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Let me just start off by saying that I am not a fan of the original British version of the film with Christopher Lee. I just recently viewed it for the very first time just prior to seeing this remake and I must say it is heavily dated and in need of a remake of which writer/director Neil LaBute was perfectly capable of handling.

LaBute's re-imagined version borrows much of the basic plot of the original but has updated it to suite a modern day audience. There is more violence and "shock" moments all of which were absent from the original as well as more character developement on the part of Nicholas Cage's Edward. It's a tightly-knit script with good supporting turns from Ellen Burstyn, Frances Conroy, Molly Parker, Leelee Sobieski, and Diane Delano.

It is Kate Beahan as Willow, the mother of the missing girl and the former fiance of Edward, who gives a standout performance. Like her role in last year's FLIGHT PLAN, Beahan has a stare that brings tears to your face and you can't help believing every word that comes out of her mouth. She is definitely someone to look out for.

Cinematography by Paul Sarossy is drop down perfect in creating the bright and jovial island of Summersisle that has a deep and dark secret brewing just below the surface. Sarossy creates a character within the island which is absent in the original (which played more with sexuality and nudity to create an atmosphere for that film). This is all augmented by Angelo Badalamenti's spot on perfect score for the film which creates a somber but impending doom throughout the film.

If there's one fault with the film it is that it is slow but for this type of film (as was prevalent in the original) that is the point. In a Box Office climate where audiences want their horror films to be fast and cut-throat, i.e. THE COVENANT, SAW, THE HILLS HAVE EYES, etc. THE WICKER MAN is a throwback to the late '60's-'70's where horror was created by mood and dread (i.e. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, REPULSION, THE EXORCIST, THE STEPFORD WIVES, ROSMARY'S BABY, or THE TENANT) and I don't see this film being any more well received by audiences then WILLARD (2003), DARK WATER (2005), DOMINION: THE PREQUEL TO THE EXORCIST, or even the more recent HARD CANDY or THE DESCENT, which were all great films that no one saw.

Another fault with the film is that it is being marketed as a horror film when in fact it is a drama with thriller elements. By doing this the audiences going to see the film, for the most part, (and who know nothing of the original) are coming out of the screening disappointed.

It took me a while before I decided to go view the film because of the horrible audience reaction to the film, but I couldn't understand how come critics were giving it a favorable review. Many of the people who did in fact see the film disliked the film for reasons I've already discussed. I just wonder if there is any room left for modern day audiences to appreciate the nuances of a well crafted film that takes its time to get to the end.

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