. The list of similarities includes:
1) the opening scene involves a child being nearly scared to death;
2) that child subsequently has childhood "night terrors" for the rest of their lives;
3) the child is deemed emotionally disturbed and no one believes him;
4) both movies offer an alternative psychological explanation for the child's fear of
the dark;
5) the child has a female friend that he reunites with years later;
6) the child/adult has the world's best collection of flashlights but can't find one
that's working when he needs it most and;
7) if the lights go out all hell breaks loose.
Not exactly an original premise.
The problems with Darkness Falls don't end there. They include:
1) Characters who are supposed to be 22 years old who all look 30 and have careers
associated with people who are actually 30;
2) A 22 year old character with a younger brother approximately 15 years her junior;
3) a very contrived premise;
4) a script that required 2 rewrites and still sucks;
5) special effects and sound effects on par, for the most part, with the Haunted House
at a Community Fair;
6) the majority of spilled gas, in the lighthouse, inexplicably failing to ignite and;
7) despite being after Kyle for 12 years the Tooth Fairy is content to kill everybody
else first.
There are a few scary moments in Darkness Falls but the best thing about the movie is that its only 96 minutes long.
The performances are unremarkable as well. The only actor you may recognize is Emma Caulfield from T.V.'s Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.
I'm not sure why its so hard to produce quality scary movies but films like Darkness Falls do give you a greater appreciation of Alfred Hitchcock's mastery of the genre.
If you truly want to be entertained, skip Darkness Falls, and check out this article debunking the myth of the Tooth Fairy (courtesy of Greg's Previews). Its very funny.
Darkness Falls is so dreadful I can't even recommend it as a rental.
Alternative Reviews:
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
Darkness Falls Official Website
