The Raven

Director: James McTeigue
Cast: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson
Genre: Mystery/Thriller 2012
Running time: 110 mins.
Rating: ★½

While investigating a horrific double murder, police detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a startling discovery: the killer's methods mirror the twisted writings of Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack). Suspecting Poe at first, Field's ultimately enlists the writer's help to stop future attacks. But in this deadly game of cat and mouse, the stakes are raised with each gruesome slaying as the pair races to catch a madman before he brings every one of Poe's shocking stories to chilling life...and death.

At first, the movie seems that it is another hokey-gothic film, so "bloody" that its comedic. Even Cusack performance in the beginning is comedic and contrived without the intension of being so. And I'll admit that I was a bit annoyed at the "Edward Gorey"-like ripoff, the film uses to present the first duo murder. Its about Poe, the moviegoers won't notice, in fact, they are expecting it! And though, Cusack doesn't improve (it brings the movie down) and the use of CGI blood isn't less comedic, the rest of the movie is beautifully shot. Dark contrast and blue undertones guides the horror that lies awaiting from murder to murder. The steampunk imagery wavers be just enough and too much.

Wonderful performances from the rest of the cast, which helps make up for Cusacks. Exspecially from the acclaimed Brendan Gleeson as the father to Poe's fiancée, brings an intelligence, wit, and stubbornness, which is exactly what his character calls for. Its hard for me to see Alice Eve, other than Alice from Starter for 10, but she brings great passion and vulnerability to her character that its hard to keep your eyes off her. The costume design, extremely noteworthy, is elaborate and renaissance-like.

Overall, even with it good points mentioned, its not anything worth holding remembrance.