Cross seeing the film "Darkness Falls" off of your list of things to do this weekend - or any weekend.
Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the film fails to follow through with its initial promise. Creepy trailers for this movie are actually beguiling, but the movie leaves much to be desired.
The plot revolves around an urban legend of the town of Darkness Falls, stemming from the hanging of Matilda Dixon. Though she once gave children gold coins in exchange for their baby teeth, a fire that disfigured her face put an end to the practice. After her death, Matilda's ghost is rumored to visit children the night they lose their last tooth, hoping the children will peek at her face and be cursed forever.
Following this history lesson, viewers meet a present-day Kyle Walsh (Joshua Anderson). He is spitting out a bloody tooth and on the verge of losing his mother, though he doesn't know it. Later that night, she is killed, and the townspeople blame Kyle for her death.
The next part of this convoluted film takes place 12 years later, focusing on Kyle's childhood sweetheart Cat (Emma Caulfield) and her younger brother (Lee Cormie). With her brother unable to sleep for fear that "she" will kill him, Cat approaches Kyle (now played by Chaney Kley) for help and advice.
Kyle, who has not overcome his own fears, must confront his feelings for Cat, help her cure Michael, and run from the police at the same time. Meanwhile, all characters must avoid the dark so Matilda's ghost can't attack them.
Most of the action takes place in the Darkness Falls Police Station, where officers realize that Michael's loony beliefs about Matilda's ghost are true.
Elements of the typical horror movie can be found in this film, including the otherworldly villain, the innocent woman in trouble, blood, thunderstorms and a heroic male. Although she can startle viewers when she first arrives on screen, Matilda's ability to instill terror is quickly lost since we see her in every scene.
The poorly written script is full of clich?(c)s and is obviously trying to appeal to viewers in search of gore and obscenities instead of well-plotted content. Any horror film character that says "We're safe in the car" deserves whatever he gets.
The romantic feelings between Kyle and Cat are present but not resolved. Larry (Grant Piro), a former classmate-turned-lawyer and possible love interest for Cat, brings some humor to the movie, but only for a short while.
Caulfield (of "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer") offers the best acting, though given her screen-mates, this isn't saying much.
Ultimately, the problem with "Darkness Falls" can be summarized in one simple sentence: It's easier to laugh with the ghost than it is to sympathize with the protagonists.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
