THE UNINVITED (2009)

Directed By: Charles & Thomas Guard 
Written By: Craig Rosenberg, Douglas Miro & Carlo Bernard 
Based On The Original Screenplay A TALE OF TWO SISTERS By: Kim Jee-Woon Cinematography By: Daniel Landin 
Editor: Jim Page &Christian Wagner 

 Cast: Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, David Straitharn, Elizabeth Banks,

After the death of her ill mother in a fire, the young teenager Anna tries to commit suicide and is sent to a mental institution for treatment. Ten months later, Anna still cannot remember what had happened on the night her mother died. Her psychiatric Dr. Silberling, however, discharges her telling that she has resolved her issues. Her father and successful writer, Steven, brings her back home in an isolated mansion nearby the coast. Anna finds that her mother's former nurse, Rachel Summers, is her stepmother now. Anna meets her beloved sister, Alex, swimming in the sea. She discovers that Steven has not delivered the letters and CDs that Alex had sent to her. As time moves on, Anna is haunted by ghosts and she believes that Rachel killed her mother. Alex and Anna decide to look for evidences to prove that Rachel is the murderer and Anna discovers the truth about the fire in the boat house.

What I didn't realize when I originally watched this film was that it was a remake of the Chinese film A TALE OF TWO SISTERS and as usual it is a improper remake. That tries to simplify the story. Where as the original film is creepy and constantly makes you feel Ill at ease. It also was just plain strange and constantly gave off the mood of a ghost story. This film plays more like a murder mystery either way the power of each film Is misdirection as they are films with many secrets that Once you finish watching them. It immediately makes you want to examine what you have just seen. Great for the filmmakers, for repeated viewing. Though the film Is not as confusing as that.

The film plays more like a teen movie mystery using the attractiveness of the two female leads to get the audience to actually watch the film with excitement.

It feels so much like a teen movie that the adult cast seems miscast as they are actors with clout and distinction. That feel too good for the material.

Like a Scooby-Doo mystery that tries to be serious and deep without the whole gang. The film seems watered down, not as scary as it could be and no real trouble, It seems lurking underneath. Only when he secret are revealed does the film finally come to life and become interesting.

The film is lightweight that is almost derivative of the film THE SIXTH SENSE. It play by some of the same rules. Where there is a huge twist that comes out of nowhere as you never expected it. Though it comes as something exciting it also feels like a cheap trick to liven up weak material

It's a disposable film.

As I remember when I was a teen the films while not always great or really a great definition of my then years, nor could I exactly identify with any of the films characters, but the films were designed for my entertainment, my demographic with characters who were supposed to be identifiable types close to our age. Now of course I loved these films, thought they were great, near classic. Now I watch them and while I find them entertaining To a point. They are no longer great or good they are barely O.K. I might be out of my element crotchety and aged out. Seeing so many films do this type of story better. Has made me harsh on the films that try and don't exactly succeed.

I could see if I was younger, while this film being nowhere near classic. I would probably think it would be memorable. Unfortunately right now I believe this will be a nice rental, but not a must see

Grade: C-