The Verbosery Movie Reviews: Case 39

Spoiler Alert: This review contains plot spoilers. If you're interested in seeing this movie for yourself, you might want to skip this post & come back later. Consider yourself warned.



Probably the only thing you really need to know about this is that it stars Renee Zellweger.

Don't get me wrong. I totally love her. But she pretty much doesn't belong in anything other than a romantic comedy. Preferrably starring Hugh Grant and/or Colin Firth.

I'm just saying.

So basically what you have here is Renee Zellweger Does a Horror Flick. Which means it's kind of white washed. It's not as gory as it could be. It tries to be more psychological than it needs to be. And when it gets down to the dirty, "gotta do what you gotta do" part? You really can't tell that's where you are based on Renee's acting. She finally has to say it for you to realize that's what's happening.

Ouch.

Because SweetPea is obsessed with watching DVD "extras" before the movie, particularly with horror films, we had seen extra scenes and alternative scenes, including the alternative ending. I'm really happy they went the direction they did, because, as I'm sure you know, I am really over the "twist" ending that has become standard with horror movies.

You know.

The "It's over... But is it really over?!?" ending, ala The Crazies, Paranormal Activity and just about every freaking other horror movie that's come out in the last couple of years.

Case 39 actually ends, and you have a pretty good sense that it's going to stay ended. Maybe they'll make a sequel. Maybe not. Get it, Hollywood? You can totally end the first movie and still make a sequel. Not hard.

I do have a big beef with the trailer. I'm glad I didn't see it until after we watched the movie. The trailer makes it seem very much like something's is after the girl. In actuality, it becomes pretty clear early on in the movie that it's the girl, herself, that's causing all the horrors.

I know trailers are designed to get you to come watch the film, but it's not cool for them to be blatantly misleading. Boo on that.

I'd give it a rating of: meh

The Verbosery Recommends:

If you're looking for a psychological thriller involving kids, watch The Grudge or The Orphanage instead.

You're welcome.