Blockbuster Review #2: The Lovely Bones

This 2009, Peter Jackson movie, based on the book by the same title, is the story of a girl who is murdered at 14 and finds herself in a type of limbo in which she tries to reach out towards those people whom she loved in life (most importantly her family).

When a movie is based on a book, I can expect it to be a little more thought out, a little better than the regular dreck Hollywood spews out. And I guess this movie did not disappoint in that respect. Neither did Jackson's directing -- granted some of the scenes were incredibly corny and over dramatic but isn't that the charm of Jackson's direction we all know and love sometimes?

The visual effects were engrossing, imaginative and sometimes reminiscent of those used
in "What Dreams May Come" (in my opinion, a must-see movie whose visual effects are among the best I've ever seen in film). Art and visual effects crew, however, are entirely different for the two movies.
Here is a sample of their visual effects:

                    Top: The Lovely Bones
                 Bottom: What Dreams May Come

Most of all, I believe it was Stanley Tucci's performance as psychotic serial killer of young girls that I enjoyed best about the movie. I have seen Tucci in several movies now that have showcased his acting talent, but I was still pleasantly surprised at how he changed his voice, mannerisms, and behaviour for this role in "The Lovely Bones". When a well-known actor can still surprise you with what he can do in front of a camera, he is definitely worth watching!

I enjoyed this film for the most part and believe that its likable for the masses. My only qualms would be the corniness, the inclusion of sometimes over-the-top supernaturaleness (but really, where do you draw the line between believable magic and "just totally unrealistic" magic?), and an ending that gives the audience a desirable but therefore predictable sense of closure.

6 out of 10.
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