'A House With A Clock In The Walls' A Review

A House With A Clock In The Walls is a family fantasy movie set in 1955 in small-town Michigan. Ten-year-old orphaned boy Lewis(Owen Vaccaro) goes to live with his Uncle Jonathan(Jack Black) who, along with his neighbor Florence(Cate Blanchett) are magic practitioners. Lewis settles in to his new school with some growing pains but begins to find his place as he learns magic from his Uncle. All the while the titular clock in the walls of his uncle's home is counting down to an ominous end.

Vaccaro is solid in the lead- likable, assured, and appropriately awkward. Child actor's can sometimes fall prey to being overly precious or more adult than they should be or conversely are wooden but he strikes a good balance. Nothing earth shattering, but then again neither is the script. Black and Blanchett ride easily on their natural charisma and confidence. They have good chemistry aren't asked to exert much skill. That's not to say the movie isn't entertaining, it is. It is a simple, playful, slightly dark family flick.

Not a sequel or a reboot, although an adaptation of a 1973 novel, the film has some freshness about it. A pleasant, exciting story that entertains both kids and adults. Not terribly sophisticated however it doesn't need to be.

Straightforward, you get what you expect, fun. Bolstered by an Oscar winner and nominee putting it a notch above typical kid fair.

Rent It.