In the weeks leading up to the release of The Seeker: The Dark is Rising there has been a rising force of discontent flowing like a neverending wave across the Internet. I did not take the time to read much of it other than to get the gist that this movie is based on a very popular series of fantasy novels and that this adaptation has gone through and changed a lot of what appeared in the book, so as to make the film a very pale shadow of its source material.
I have not read any of the specifics of their complaints, and I think it was for the best. I have never read the books, therefore that baggage could not affect my viewing of the movie, as I cannot compare it to the source material. In retrospect my time would probably have been better served staying home and reading said book. The movie is not that good at all. In fact, it works better as a cure for insomnia as it threatened to put me into the land of dreams.
Seriously, I sat in the theater on opening night watching the plot unfold before me and waited for something to happen, or to be given some reasoning behind what was happening. I was waiting for some explanation of who was who and who wanted what. Yes, there was a lot of talking. The problem was that nothing of any importance was said. The story is nothing new. The format follows thusly: young boy comes of age, is informed the fate of the world lies with him, he has to survive some quest or test, has a face-off with the bad guy, the end.In this case the boy is young Will (Alexander Ludwig, a dead ringer for Zachary Ty Bryan), a member of the large Stanton family, recently transplanted from America to England. This was a little confusing at first — I thought he was an adopted family member based on the way he was treated (like a second-class citizen, undesirable stepbrother, or the like), and based on his not looking anything (and I mean anything) like the rest of the Stanton clan. Will is on the verge of turning fourteen, a day which will be a memorable one for him.
Strange things begin to happen, like seeing a pattern on a small box move, the faces of mall rent-a-cops reveal a more malevolent visage, and he acquires great strength. The family is invited to a Christmas shindig thrown by the wealthy Merriman Lyon (Ian McShane). It turns out that Lyon knows the truth about Will and the changes he is experiencing. Lyon imparts this knowledge to the boy, telling him that he is destined to save the world and give the power back to the light and defeat the forces of Darkness. That's a lot of "ands" — it's too bad that none of the linking information is revealed. I guess they are saving that for the inevitable sequel.About this same time a mysterious man in black shows up on the scene. He wears a scarf over his face much of the time and is called The Rider (Christopher Eccleston). I guess this has to do with his riding a horse most of the time he is on the screen. Apparently, The Rider is the bringer of the darkness that will bring about the end of the world. Why he wants this is unclear, as if there is anyone else on the side of dark.
In order to stop him Will must step through time to find six signs. This search for the six eats up much of he runtime, but has little to offer. His trips through time consist of a camera spin, the grabbing of some item, and then back to the present. The reason for this is unclear; it certainly adds nothing to the movie. It is not like the changing time periods are of any real importance. They seem to exist mainly as an excuse for some special effects. The same goes for the powers that Will displays; they are never put to any use. For example, he can control fire but he only uses it to light a room and have a pyrotechnic temper tantrum. You would think an ability like this would come in handy when he faces off with The Rider. I can only imagine that this is dealt with better in the book.
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising is a fantasy film that forgot to inject the fantasy. It has no teeth, no depth, no real reason for being. As I sat there, I could not help but think I have seen this before, only better (it's called Harry Potter). The script is all surface, it does not dig into the reason this is happening, what it means, or what anybody wants. It leaves the skilled McShane and Eccleston looking silly as they try to work through ridiculous dialogue with a straight face, although you can see them trying to breathe some life into the parts. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast come across as amateurs.Besides clunky dialogue, try gleaning the purpose of the signs and what needs to be done with them, or what will happen if the Darkness gets them. In other words, good luck piercing the cloak of darkness that surrounds virtually everything. Pretty much the only thing that isn't disguised are the surprise "twists." If you don't see these big reveals coming you either weren't paying attention of have long since given up on caring. I suspect the latter.Bottom line. In short, this is not a good movie. Fans of Susan Cooper will already know this. In the end it doesn't matter if you are a fan of the book or not, you will be falling asleep or struggling to figure out what the purpose of this was. Now, it isn't nearly as disastrous as Eragon, but it is awfully close. The two seem to be in a race to see who can hit the bottom of the fantasy barrel first. Then again, I would probably rather watch Eragon again than this, if only to make fun of all the Star Wars rips.Not Recommended.
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Article comments
1 - Arwen
The movie got it all wrong!!!! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Will Stanton did not have a twin brother, though two of his older brothers are twins. Neither of them got kidnapped by the way. He is the youngest of a very close and tight knit family. No dysfunction there! Imagine that!!! The oldest, Tom, died in infancy, the second to the oldest, Steven, is in the British Royal Navy. Will was 11 years old when the story took place and had no interest in girls at the time. He found his abilities, at times, a burden. He is British, NOT an American. The movie does not resemble the book at all, not even close!! Did the producers and directors even read the book!! I think not. Those who have not read the books are in for a surprise when they do. "Is this the same story?" they will ask. Those who have read the books will be sorely disappointed. I don't mind movie adaptations of books. Quite of few are very well done such as "Lord of the Rings”, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and they even did a fair job with "Harry Potter." But the producers and Director really butchered the "Dark is Rising." There are 5 books in the complete story of the "Dark is Rising." The 1st one is called, "Over the Sea, Under the Stone", the 2nd, "The Dark is Rising," The 3rd, 'the Green Witch", The 4th, "The Grey King"-- Newberry award winner, and the last book is called "Silver on the Tree." Very excellent books and a wonderful read. Skip the movie. Read the books!!
2 - Innervoice
Some people are in favor of the movie. I am in favor of reality! I will break down how bad it was! First off, the cheesy thing with light VS dark is old but that would be an exception if it was good as the books. Some people say it's based on the books. Maybe by name but damn! This is nothing like it because the books are and I never read them but it must have more depth than this kiddie pool of crap! Now, to start with the spoilers and if you put the pixilated jigsaw pieces together, it makes, a big pile of pixilated crap called a bad movie in other words, "The Seeker" and apparently, the dark is rising refers to this horrible movie. To make all my babblings make of some sense and I am totally right about what I am saying; I must tell you the read deal. Ok, it starts off with the boy in school and a totally hot bitch (who looks much older than him) diggs him by watching sexily then turns around in the bus with annoying bros at the side. That day was his birthday and big deal, he's 14! That's awesome! So, on that day his shitty fate activates which he is now the Seeker and the other people doesn't get the exciting fate to go on a destined treasure hunt through time! Ok, it starts off with him going to a party, and there he sees the hot girl in which he does not talk to. His bro on the other hand, picks her up like a pimp and walks off. She's a real bitch to go with him and leave the kid behind. Anyway, the boy leaves and meets up the Old Ones (Old dudes to help the boy along his fate) they tell him that it doesn't matter if he does not know how to find the Signs and they tell him to read a book only he can understand (that means the bitch who wrote it didn't know one shit he wrote to begin with) the kid reads one page then bam! He's got to knowledge! With that in mind, the old dude tells him he has the power of light, fire and that power to move objects. Sounds like a major unstoppable badass, right? Wrong! Wrong! WRONG! He beats up his family members more than the enemy and never uses the power of "light" only fire. Actually, in the movie, he says "Light!" and there's fire which gives him light. I guess that's to light his cigarette and to perhaps, blind the enemy (does not). He uses his fire powers by destroying buildings that has nothing to do with his objectives but because he was under stress and confusion (the suspense will kill you! Just kidding) There are no twists but just one which it's barely one. It has to do with the hot girl. He talks to her three time tops with is less than 5 minutes in total. The only thing he loves about her is how hot she is and that's it (like if that'll fool us from believing this didn't sucked). The second time they talked he used his force powers to move a knife playfully and that's it. He never uses that power again and never uses any of his powers in the movie on the bad dudes. The evil dude on horse tells the girl to do the job and whatever and the stranger drops the hood to reveal the bitch! It's the hot girl! She looked really sexy on turning about slow-motion-like which awesomeified the moment of intensity and drama! I'm kidding. Was I meant to feel some sort of pain of betrayal?! I bet the boy doesn't even know the girl's name! Well, I think so. By now, I didn't write a lot of other crap but I'll continue! Later, the Signs are in danger of the evil dude but the boy doesn't know the girl is evil. Anyway, she comes to him, "I will protect them! What? Don't you trust me?" Let me think, will you trust someone who you talked to for less than five minutes and give whoever objects to determine the fate of humanity? The ass almost game her it! I would say no and slap her but anyway he attempts to get it and whatever, she drowns in water (maybe. I'm not sure. Most of the stuff was confusing). Time is almost up and he has to get the last sign before the darkness takes over the world! The old dude told him before, it was said that the last one could not be found because it was actually inside someone's soul. Well, what do you know? It was in the boy's all along! No f'ing way! Anyway, he defeats the dude unstylishly and he rescues his lost twin which has nothing to do with storyline. Talking about the twin, the father is a physics dude and he was working on a dark and light theory which was meant to be a breakthrough theory. Hear this! They didn't even tell us the nature of it and he burns it! What's up with that?! The whole thing sucked and to make it all better, he never kissed the girl! Calls for a sequel to make up for the major crap fest. Watch the movie if you wanna be pissed with it. If you are a 5 year old kid or a retarded old dude, you will love it! Aside from that, unoriginal, boring, lame powers which are still not used, sucky storyline and the best of the best one was the hot chick he never kisses! This was epically bad! It will blow your mind! That’s enough. Now to send this to all sites on the net!
3 - Berni
I havent' seen the movie. I read the book (Wintersonnenwende in German) when I was like eleven or twelve years old, back in the mid eighties that is. The book is real good, in fact one of my favorites. And that's why i can't bring myself to watch the movie. Thanks for the review, saves me the time and pain to watch a fine story butchered for the masses.
4 - bianca
this movie was alright, remembering that it was wriutten in the 1700's. but when john hodge re-wrote the book, he totally jubled the sequesces up. he also 'modernised' it too much. EG: at the end of school, every-one takes out a mobile phone, and will has an ipod, but at the christmas eve party, an old record player is seen playing christmas charols.
and uts true. will doesn't have a twin brother, it was probably just added to make it seem like will was actually 'fighting' for something.
also, good and evil, light and dark, ITS OLD!!
REPEATED TOO MANY TIMES, HAVE SOMETHING NEW..we know the light always win, so they should have NOT done another one of those movies.
5 - Darkis ris ingsucks
This book sucks!!!
6 - KING OF KINGS
I THEREFOR CLAIM THAT THE SEEKER MOVIE IS A MOVIE THAT INSPIRES THE BATTLE OF LIGHT AND DARK. I RECOMMEND IT THE MOVIE OF GODS!!
7 - Shitty movie
Oh, well. I didn't need to read the book to know that the movie sucks. It's stupid. The plot is stupid, the characters are a bunch of amateurs, the villain is just one of the worst and the effects makes the first version of war of the world looks more realistic! And Plus, Alexander ludwig is just playing dumb in the fucking movie. I just hate that obnoxius boy and his acting. I just wish that I could pull him out of the movie and give him some slaps on his face and say: "Do something, you moron!". They should classify this as one of the bottom 10 worst movie of all time. Whew, Man that was awful!