The Hole needs all the knowing humour it can muster, because Dante’s old-school pacing may well frustrate the most pro-horror of youngsters.
Dante neatly creates just the right level of eerie spine-chilling thrills that won't traumatise youngsters too much.
A cracking family horror, albeit one with a distinctly 80s vibe.
It's the kind of knockabout, kid's-eye-view comedy-horror that hasn't been made for a while, with some nasty, frightening touches, but expertly encased in a distinctive family-movie aesthetic.
Director Joe Dante shows how to put together a mystery movie for teens and upwards that’s smart, funny and nicely scary.
A low-tar scare movie that's geared more towards family fun than chills down the spine.
Director Joe (Gremlins) Dante delivers some terrific spine-tingling chills on the way towards a disappointingly overblown climax.
Mercifully these scares are rooted in a plot that tackles surprisingly meaty themes in a way accessible for its target audience while being sophisticated enough for adults who remember how good being terrified sometimes felt as a kid.
As he demonstrated in his two Gremlins movies and Small Soldiers, Joe Dante is a master of that niche market, the horror movie for the whole family. He's done it again, though with a less refined wit.
Welcome back, Joe Dante, and welcome back ’80s family frights. It might be too lightweight for hardcore horror types, but this is a great way to get in touch with your inner eight-year-old.
On the up
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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