Movie review: 'Woman in Black'

After the death of his wife, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is sent by his law firm to handle a job at deceased Alice Drablow's mansion. Struggling with his own past, Kipps finds that the town of Crythin Gifford also has a past of its own. He feels that he is not welcome there and senses resentment. While in the Drablow home, Kipps begins to hear and see strange things. In Alice's personal belongings, he finds old birthday cards discussing a boy named Nathanial. He finds that the boy's mother, Alice's sister Jennet, was declared mentally unfit to keep the child. Alice and her husband took Nathanial in as their own. In a horrible accident, Nathanial is killed and Jennet blames Alice for the whole thing. Eventually, out of grief, Jennet takes her own life and becomes "The Woman in Black". She haunts the Drablow home and her ghost is out for revenge. Kipps soon discovers that he is not the target of the ghostly assaults.

These events set up the rest of the movie that ended up being better than I thought. The story was great and may not end up the way you think. As far as fright factor goes, not so much. The tactics used were similar to the ones you might find in the horror rides at the fair, so they weren't very effective. A few loud noises and unexpected movements will give you a jolt, but not a deep and lingering fear. The ending was bold and took an interesting and unpredictable turn. Overall I was thoroughly entertained, but not frightened. I'll admit it was weird seeing Radcliffe play any part but Harry Potter, but he did very well. Horror fan or not, this movie will satisfy most viewers as it becomes more of a mystery than a real horror flick.

3 out of 5 stars