I am a fan of good science fiction and fantasy films. Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, Blade Runner, and Star Trek all make their way into my film collection. Doctor Who, as I have pointed out before, is my favorite television series. Thus, when a new fantasy film comes out where Christopher Eccleston plays the villain, I knew I had to go and see it.
Sure, The Seeker: The Dark is Risingis based upon a children’s novel, and it is a movie aimed for children: but so is Harry Potter. I have not read the book the movie is based upon (but, before seeing the film, I decided to find out about it). The book sounds quite good, using the Arthurian mythos in rather new, and intriguing ways. I’ve heard Susan Cooper, the author, studied under Tolkien, and I am sure that influence can be found in her works (although I suspect, with all the Arthurian connections, she might be influenced by the novels of Charles Williams even more).
Yet, it is obvious watching the movie, the story has been simplified; the writer eliminated as much of the underlying mythos as much as they can, while updating the story to make it “modern.” This makes the movie more pedestrian and average than it should have been. The movie is not bad, and the moral values within it are quite strong; but one can tell watching it that we are missing quite a bit of the story. I think the side characters have stories of their own and could have been explored more. According to what I read, Ian McShane’s Merriman Lyon is supposed to be Merlin. I would have liked to see that connection made clearer. Perhaps I wish this even more because I really enjoy Ian McShane on the screen, and so giving him more of a role would just have helped solidify the story (although he will always be Lovejoy to me).
Christopher Eccleston’s villain (The Rider) is interesting and the other part of the film which really works. Well, that is, in general. Eccleston is great in the role, but one can tell he played the role according to how the director wanted him to do it. That meant he was more quirky than scary. He could have done both (and I think both would have fit in this film). There was one scene where he comes in, pretending to be a doctor; I believe he was bringing back his own characterization of the Doctor to the screen at this point. I am sure that was done on purpose, although of course, in this case, he’s evil so the quirky, eccentric nature is used for a different end.
If one is looking for a classic fantasy film, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising is not it. However, it is not a bad movie. It would be good for families (as long as the children are not too young – at times, the movie plays like a horror film), and it would be good to watch some day if you find it playing on your television and you have nothing else to do.
2/4 stars.
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