CRIMSON PEAK

– Film Review by Mark Glass –

In Gothic ghost-laced ‘Crimson Peak,’ some truly wonderful sets wind up housing a relatively tedious, then almost ludicrous, ordeal for Victorian damsel in distress

2 out of 5 stars

If you think Guillermo del Toro is a genius behind the camera, you may prefer someone else’s review. In films like “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Pacific Rim,” his visual sensibilities rate here as far more evolved than the parts of his brain responsible for story and pacing. Both films seemed overblown, ultimately diminishing their entertainment value. In this Gothic ghost-laced tale, some truly wonderful sets wind up housing a relatively tedious, then almost ludicrous, ordeal for a sympathetic Victorian damsel in distress.

Mia Wasikowski looks and acts like every virginal upper-class blonde the likes of Dracula stalked in print or on film. When she falls for a rakish baronet (Tom Hiddleston, best known as Thor’s psycho nemesis, Loki) with a creepy sister (Jessica Chastain), her father’s misgivings about the chap’s suitability prove to be a wild underestimation of how evil they really are. We sense more than we should, longer than we should, of what’s coming for the suspense element to remain afloat throughout the two hours it takes del Toro to finish what he started. The supernatural hook of ghosts lurking around for some reason or other provides some wonderfully ominous-to-scary moments, but fails to contribute when needed most, making the climax a mismatch to the buildup. Once again, del Toro delivers a fine-looking production that falls short on the substance – a soggy saga.