Great start, but rather overblown by the end. The ending was somewhat lame and the music didn't fit at all--it would have worked for Harry Potter or something. Some good practical effects would have been superior to the cgi, although it wasn't awful, and would have really elevated the creepiness of the film. Mama looked too fake to be frightening, especially in the scenes where she was shown at length in more detail. Considering its strong first half, it was pretty disappointing--kind of like Jeepers Creepers actually.
Also, I'm not sure why everybody keeps mentioning Del Toro, he was just the executive producer. They mainly slapped his name on the credits to help sell the movie.
The story itself is a generic ghost story gussied up for the modern market with some jump scares. Jessica Chastain is pretty good and the film features some quite skilful camerawork, but at the same time there's nothing interesting about it - it looks slick and clean and like any number of spooky films. What really ruined it for me was the mawkish fantastical ending and the CGI ghost - it looks like a dementor witch from a Harry Potter film but without the quality.
I like this. I think there's a weak section, from about 60% through to 80% of the way through the movie, where it fall into the too-long-drawn-out trap so common to the horror genre. But the ending is interesting, and worth sticking around for.
The opening third/half of the movie is very compelling, so definitely worth watching I think.
what you fear most at the beginning of the film turns into something you sympathize with at the end of the film. it was different, I liked it. Absolutely watchable film for the performance of children's players.
More thrill and suspense than other recent big screen films in this genre. Good effects helped the creepy factor. It went a bit soft at the end but most movies do.
I’m a fan of Guillermo Del Toro. We’ve established that about as about as solidly as we’ve established that the sun shines and Richard Ayoade is a bespectacled Adonis of a man, so it’s unsurprising that when old Guilly executive produced Mama, a new horror movie starring Jessica Chastain and directed by newcomer Andrés Muschietti, I was chomping at the bit. And by chomping at the bit I mean I meant to see it was in theaters but ended up waiting till it was on DVD.
I’m a horror fan, in as much as I like horror movies on the very very few occasions they aren’t blisteringly awful or more fun in a schlocky, silly way. I like horror movies that actually scare me, and aren’t just vehicles for gore or young girls in sweaty tank tops running around and gasping a lot. My hope going in to Mama was for something new, something interesting and something legitimately scary. While I did certainly get all of those, I also didn’t get a perfect horror movie or even a perfect movie in general, and as good as Mama is, I would be doing it a disservice if I didn’t point out the problems on display.
Read the full review at: http://www.forgetthebox.net/mama-starts-off-strong-but-fumbles-the-ball/
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Comments 1 - 15 of 28
the3rdman
Great start, but rather overblown by the end. The ending was somewhat lame and the music didn't fit at all--it would have worked for Harry Potter or something. Some good practical effects would have been superior to the cgi, although it wasn't awful, and would have really elevated the creepiness of the film. Mama looked too fake to be frightening, especially in the scenes where she was shown at length in more detail. Considering its strong first half, it was pretty disappointing--kind of like Jeepers Creepers actually.Also, I'm not sure why everybody keeps mentioning Del Toro, he was just the executive producer. They mainly slapped his name on the credits to help sell the movie.
ChrisReynolds
The story itself is a generic ghost story gussied up for the modern market with some jump scares. Jessica Chastain is pretty good and the film features some quite skilful camerawork, but at the same time there's nothing interesting about it - it looks slick and clean and like any number of spooky films. What really ruined it for me was the mawkish fantastical ending and the CGI ghost - it looks like a dementor witch from a Harry Potter film but without the quality.Tidorith
I like this. I think there's a weak section, from about 60% through to 80% of the way through the movie, where it fall into the too-long-drawn-out trap so common to the horror genre. But the ending is interesting, and worth sticking around for.The opening third/half of the movie is very compelling, so definitely worth watching I think.
lovequinn
what you fear most at the beginning of the film turns into something you sympathize with at the end of the film. it was different, I liked it. Absolutely watchable film for the performance of children's players.shaveen
Average movieOneironaut
Let down by the subpar CGI. Average, watchable, forgettable.acoltismypassport
The best thing about this film was Jessica Chastain, and even her shitty tattoos ruined an otherwise excellent aesthetic choice.Ilikechicken
Horror movies aren't exactly my cup of tea, but this film felt very generic to me. I thought the ending was slow and boring.samfenn
Not much to say. I thought it was ok, if a little slow paced. I was slightly bored by the end.Amuda
audiopile
More thrill and suspense than other recent big screen films in this genre. Good effects helped the creepy factor. It went a bit soft at the end but most movies do.ThomasFTB
I’m a fan of Guillermo Del Toro. We’ve established that about as about as solidly as we’ve established that the sun shines and Richard Ayoade is a bespectacled Adonis of a man, so it’s unsurprising that when old Guilly executive produced Mama, a new horror movie starring Jessica Chastain and directed by newcomer Andrés Muschietti, I was chomping at the bit. And by chomping at the bit I mean I meant to see it was in theaters but ended up waiting till it was on DVD.I’m a horror fan, in as much as I like horror movies on the very very few occasions they aren’t blisteringly awful or more fun in a schlocky, silly way. I like horror movies that actually scare me, and aren’t just vehicles for gore or young girls in sweaty tank tops running around and gasping a lot. My hope going in to Mama was for something new, something interesting and something legitimately scary. While I did certainly get all of those, I also didn’t get a perfect horror movie or even a perfect movie in general, and as good as Mama is, I would be doing it a disservice if I didn’t point out the problems on display.
Read the full review at: http://www.forgetthebox.net/mama-starts-off-strong-but-fumbles-the-ball/
John Milton
Bit of a let down after the trailer. typical 5/10 in my book, but chastain and the children were still a good watch.Sterretje
I really Liked the movie, imo a must see horror :)kanoba
Not good, not scary.Showing items 1 – 15 of 28