Seems opinions are very extreme when it comes to this film. And I also overheard conversations after the films showing at SIFF in which people said they'd have to think about the film before they offered an opinion on it.
Maybe it's just me, but that seems to be an indication of good art. If people are thinking about it, talking about it, even arguing about it, it's left a far greater impression than a film that mindlessly entertains. And I am of the opinion that "Cthulhu" provides both cerebral and visceral fun.
Yes, the film takes some liberties with Lovecraft's work. Yes, maybe the title "Cthulhu" is a tad non-sequitur in a film that's actually about Dagon. These are minor complaints at best. The film is extremely well-made, funny, and surprisingly scary in parts (underground tunnel, anyone?). Jason Cottle and Tori Spelling are great (you heard me right), as is the fellow who played Tori's wheelchair-bound husband. The script is engaging and, refreshingly, the politics of the "anti-Bush" agenda are subtle, and there only if you want them. The story is the thing here, and that's what Cogswell and Gildark focus on. "Cthulhu" is a fragile, volatile coming home story first, an apocalyptic horror tale second, and thirdly, a blackly humorous metaphor for the regime that's currently choking the life out of the world. The Grand "Old One" Party, indeed.
Maybe it's just me, but that seems to be an indication of good art. If people are thinking about it, talking about it, even arguing about it, it's left a far greater impression than a film that mindlessly entertains. And I am of the opinion that "Cthulhu" provides both cerebral and visceral fun.
Yes, the film takes some liberties with Lovecraft's work. Yes, maybe the title "Cthulhu" is a tad non-sequitur in a film that's actually about Dagon. These are minor complaints at best. The film is extremely well-made, funny, and surprisingly scary in parts (underground tunnel, anyone?). Jason Cottle and Tori Spelling are great (you heard me right), as is the fellow who played Tori's wheelchair-bound husband. The script is engaging and, refreshingly, the politics of the "anti-Bush" agenda are subtle, and there only if you want them. The story is the thing here, and that's what Cogswell and Gildark focus on. "Cthulhu" is a fragile, volatile coming home story first, an apocalyptic horror tale second, and thirdly, a blackly humorous metaphor for the regime that's currently choking the life out of the world. The Grand "Old One" Party, indeed.