It's important, when criticising some of the more clichéd elements here - the dark versus the light, the Tolkein parallels, the quests - to bear in mind that this film is aimed at older children, not your average jaded film critic.
The Seeker (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:89
Fresh:12
Rotten:77
Average Rating:3.9/10
Consensus: The magic of the book is lost in translation with The Seeker, due to its clumsy plot and lack of heart.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for fantasy action and some scary images.
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:Oct 5, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $8,746,699
Synopsis: Based on Susan Cooper's 1973 Newbery Award-winning fantasy novel, THE DARK IS RISING, director David L. Cunningham's 2007 film follows the adventures of young protagonist Will Stanton (Alexander... Based on Susan Cooper's 1973 Newbery Award-winning fantasy novel, THE DARK IS RISING, director David L. Cunningham's 2007 film follows the adventures of young protagonist Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig), who discovers that he is an immortal being connected with an ancient struggle between good and evil. Aided by fellow "Old Ones," including Miss Greythorne (Frances Conroy) and Merriman Lyon (Ian McShane), Will, an American transplant in England, must face off against shadowy forces bent on world domination, most notably represented by the black-clad Rider (Christopher Eccleston). Taking a different approach to Cooper's revered novel, THE SEEKER, actually drawn from the second book in THE DARK IS RISING sequence, will certainly raise the eyebrows of ardent fans of the series, particularly given screenwriter John Hodge's considerable alterations to the original story. (For example, Will is American instead of British.) For those unattached to Cooper's story, however, THE SEEKER will likely prove to be an enjoyable escapist film, with Conroy (SIX FEET UNDER), McShane (DEADWOOD), and Eccleston (HEROES) adding credibility to a largely unknown cast that is anchored by the likable Ludwig. Presented by Walden Media, the company behind the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA screen adaptations, THE SEEKER may not please Cooper purists, but it will undoubtedly entertain those looking for a diverting fantasy movie. [More]
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Ian McShane, Frances Conroy
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, Jonathan Jackson
Director: David L. Cunningham
Director: David L. Cunningham
Screenwriter: John Hodge
Producer: Marc Platt
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Reviews for The Seeker
Though it frequently feels like its missing most of its formative folklore, and trails off into fits of formless meandering about two thirds of the way through, The Seeker is actually a rather good ripping yarn.
A reasonable choice for bored tweens -- as long as they don't demand too much magic from their movies.
Finally [Susan] Cooper's fantasy comes to the screen this weekend with The Seeker.
Ecclestein and McShane are so captivating it's almost worth putting up with The Seeker's inept script.
At its best, The Seeker is a pretty vivid fantasy book come-to-life; it does a decent, passable job of adding to the canon of kid-lit flicks.
It's not as detailed as the adventures of a certain other young man who fights against the forces of evil. But it's still an enjoyable fantasy for younger viewers.
The storytelling is clunky but the performances are decent, and Ludwig is both cute and talented.
The computer-graphic imagery is impressive, but The Seeker: The Dark is Rising demonstrates once again that when it comes to movie magic, TLC means more than CGI.
The special effects are not spectacular, but they are certainly adequate and Cunningham keeps the action moving so that the pace never flags.
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising is the first eye-popping, jaw-dropping installment in a film fantasy series that could turn out to be the new Harry Potter.
Devotees of the source material will no doubt grouse at the liberties taken, but [Ian] McShane does what he can to keep the torches and pitchforks at bay.
[The film features] episodic set pieces with disorienting action, culminating in a face-off that defies logic in its resolution.
Too quick, too slight, and too cliched to make a splash in the company of such high-quality adaptations like LOTR and Harry Potter.
The ultimate question is, was the movie purposefully made into a blur to play directly into the pockets of the fans, or do we chalk this up to standard-issue directorial incompetence? I vote the latter.
The genre is bound to have its superstars and average contenders. Unfortunately, despite its production value, The Seeker is one of the latter
Just another supernatural time travel movie that lacks passion and seemingly evaporates even as you watch.
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