The Haunting (PG-13)

High-tech remake is dumb and overblown.

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Common Sense rates it
2
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Jan De Bont
  • Cast: Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones
  • Running Time: 113 minutes
  • Release Date: 07/27/1999
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 11/23/1999
  • Genre: Horror
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: intense horror sequences

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some scary, intense scenes, but no gore. There's some social drinking.

Families can talk about some of the serious themes raised by the movie, including the ethics of scientific experimentation, the role of fear in evolution, child labor, and the paranormal, but perhaps of more interest and value is a discussion of why people like to be scared in a controlled environment like a movie, and what is and is not really scary.

Message

Social Behavior:

None

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Social drinking

Violence

Typical horror movie thrills

Sex

Mild, including reference to bi-sexuality

Language

Mild

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

In THE HAUNTING, Liam Neeson plays a doctor who (contrary to any sense of scientific ethics) invites three people to a spooky mansion for what he tells them is insomnia therapy. In reality, it is a part of his study of fear. The three subjects are Luke, a surfer type (Owen Wilson), Theo, a bi-sexual artist who enjoys being provocative but is basically good-hearted (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and Nell (Lily Taylor), a quiet woman who has spent years taking care of an invalid mother. The house is indeed amazingly creepy, accurately described by Theo as the house from Citizen Kane crossed with the house from The Munsters, with gossamer curtain and gothic carvings.

Is it any good?

2
This high-tech remake of the creepy classic is dumb and overblown, but some teenagers will have a good time with it, especially if they watch it together. Its only possible merit is that it is too silly to be scary. There are some good special effects and a couple of "boo!"-style surprises. But the plot and dialogue so interfere with the mood the movie is trying to create that they become the best possible protection against anyone -- even a 12 year old -- taking it this movie seriously.

Kids who are genuinely interested in scary movies should watch the original version, directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom, to see how subtle story-telling can be much more unsettling.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

3


Posted on 11/28/08 by bibliophile Kid contributor, age 16

Better than expected...

After reading some reviews, I was afraid this was going to be terrible, but it was bearable. I recommend it. There is a comment about having a girl having boyfriends and girlfriends, twice, and difficult to discern which way she means since she uses them in the same sentence. A guy ogles a girl in her tight outfits, but its not bad. Language wasn't bad for PG-13. About ten to fifteen from d-mn, h-ll, God's name in vain, and maybe a sh-t. I recommend ClearPlay DVD Player version (clearplay.com)
5


Posted on 07/25/07 by daddy long legs Kid contributor, age 11

daddy long legs 11 yrs old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This movie is a must see Id say 8 and up it all depends on how your kid takes movies let your kid go see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3


Posted on 08/22/05 by scarymovielover Kid contributor, age 11

Made me nearly fall out of the chair laughing at the special effects.

I am 11 and the movie did not scare me at all. Me and my friend were watching it togther at a sleepover. She is the same age as me. She got scared. I thought the special effects were funny to laugh at. It is more the idea of the movie that is scary, not the movie. But I like scary movies unlike other 11 year olds.
4


Posted on 07/01/05 by stifergusonjr Kid contributor, age 13

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

3


Posted on 11/28/08 by bibliophile Kid contributor, age 16

Better than expected...

After reading some reviews, I was afraid this was going to be terrible, but it was bearable. I recommend it. There is a comment about having a girl having boyfriends and girlfriends, twice, and difficult to discern which way she means since she uses them in the same sentence. A guy ogles a girl in her tight outfits, but its not bad. Language wasn't bad for PG-13. About ten to fifteen from d-mn, h-ll, God's name in vain, and maybe a sh-t. I recommend ClearPlay DVD Player version (clearplay.com)
5


Posted on 07/25/07 by daddy long legs Kid contributor, age 11

daddy long legs 11 yrs old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This movie is a must see Id say 8 and up it all depends on how your kid takes movies let your kid go see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3


Posted on 08/22/05 by scarymovielover Kid contributor, age 11

Made me nearly fall out of the chair laughing at the special effects.

I am 11 and the movie did not scare me at all. Me and my friend were watching it togther at a sleepover. She is the same age as me. She got scared. I thought the special effects were funny to laugh at. It is more the idea of the movie that is scary, not the movie. But I like scary movies unlike other 11 year olds.
4


Posted on 07/01/05 by stifergusonjr Kid contributor, age 13

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