The House With a Clock in its Wall Could Use Some Repairs

I am always curious to see a filmmaker experimenting outside their usual style. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The idea of Eli Roth doing a family film sounds perplexing and while The House With a Clock in its Wall isn't the best adaptation of Jon Bellair's book, I am open for him to keep on trying other work that doesn't involve his usual bloodshed.

Lewis and Uncle Jonathan.

The first in Bellair's Gothic series centers on Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro), an orphan who is adopted by his witty Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) an amateur warlock.  After being spooked by his Uncle's haunted but humble abode, Lewis takes a liking to his new home, including his witchy and equally witty neighbor Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett). Under his Uncle's tutelage, Lewis starts to learn some spell work. In an attempt to impress his schoolmates, being the new kid and outcast, Lewis unintentionally performs a bit of black magic and resurrects Isaac Izard (Kyle MacLachlan), an evil warlock who plans to bring judgement day with an evil clock hidden in Jonathan's house.

Eddie Izard before his transformation.

Roth captures the macabre elements of the book but perhaps a little too well. Like its source material the movie is aimed for kids but can't decide on what crowd to appeal to: those who like the Disney Channel or Tales from the Crypt. Some scenes especially the acting feel from an hour-long sitcom special and other times from a kid-version of Harry Potter (for the latter I mean that in a good way). Seeing Jonathan teaching Lewis magic and having it displayed add to awe factor only to fall back with confused script and mediocre acting.

Jack Black works best in comedy like Po from Kung Fu Panda showing his funny and occasional sentimental moments. In a role that is meant to have a dry sense of humor, I picture Jason Alexander better suited; something about his mannerisms from Seinfeld given a confidence boost would have worked better.  Black's role in Goosebumps another Horror movie for kids, was more effective; it knew it was a B-movie for the younger audiences and allowed Black to be over-the-top. However, when the scene calls for a tender moment, Black does a good job.

Miss Zimmermann

Despite the miscasting Black and Cate Blanchett work well off each other. When you have the actress who played Galadriel, you bet she is going to be great.While Owen Vaccaro as Lewis falters when falls into Disney Channel Original Movie mode with the occasional overacting annoyance,  the performance is an adequate one. Kyle MacLachlan is effectively creepy the evil Izad; special props to the make-up department.

I'm Mary Poppins Y'all!

The climax is rather weak and dark especially a scene that brought to mind the disturbing visuals of Son of the Mask.

A nice solar system stroll in the backyard.

The House with a Clock in its Wall is another product of Hollywood attempting to cash-in on a movie based on a book with a franchise hopeful that strips most of the elements that made the book a good-read. Not the worst adaptation but could have been better.

Final Verdict: (C+)