Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

Sammy-Jo Cervantes There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

weebitkrazy Know first, I do not care for this genre of movies. I record lots of films via my DVR to watch and at times find hidden gems. This movie is one of them. Set in mid evil times with two outstanding known actors,pretty much a good verses evil tale. A spook needs a seventh son to be his apprentice to fight against evil witches and monsters mainly the queen of witches, played by Julianne Moore who plays this part deliciously. She proves she can play any character . Also Jeff Bridges plays the spook and I realized they were both in the movie " The Big Lebowski" together . ha ha ha this film moves pleasantly fast, has great special effects without being gory. The story line may not be a complex or have a wow factor but a good story non the less. It kept my attention until the very end. If you enjoy a pleasant two hour joy ride with good acting and special effects I recommend this sleeper gem.

unbrokenmetal Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) has to face witch queen Malkin (Julianne Moore) again. He imprisoned her 40 years ago, but that was an unfinished job, apparently. While the queen can summon many powerful allies such as Radu (Djimon Hounsou) and Urag (Jason Scott Lee) who can turn into monsters, Master Gregory loses his well trained apprentice (Kit Harington) and has to fight the witches with a totally inexperienced new young man (Ben Barnes) who then makes the dangerous mistake to fall in love with one of the witches (Alice Vikander)...The majority of reviewers have been quite mean at this movie, but I have to say that I enjoyed it. It may have helped to watch a dubbed version, it saved me from listening to Bridges' original voice (see below reviews under 'marbles' and 'mashed potatoes').Four things which are remarkable about this movie. First, it has a sense of humour which is rare in the fantasy genre. When Tom meets the Boggart, he asks his master how to fight such a creature. The reply is 'you don't fight it, you just run'. Hilarious. Second, it hasn't got a simple good vs. evil concept. The good guys have rather dark sides, when Gregory enjoys the burning of enemies far too much, see the scene with Urag for example. Also he only helps if a lot of gold if offered, he wouldn't care about the citizens if they were eaten by the monsters. And arrogantly, he buys the new apprentice off his parents like a slave. On the other hand, the witches sometimes are quite sympathetic. The anger of Malkin after the long imprisonment is understandable. Third: impressive creatures, they put all the megabucks to some good use in the effects department. Watching it on the big screen made me go "whoa!" quite a few times, and that's what you should expect. Fourth, the design is flawless. From Mother Malkin's black feather dress to her ruined castle on a mountain top, all looks really good.It's a pity that story and character development remain somewhat shallow. For example, we get to see a few glimpses of visions that Tom has, being the seventh son of a seventh son, but neither does that have any effect on the story, nor do we get explanations. I mean, if a guy can see into the future, he should put that to use somehow. Some roads are not properly explored, one more example: Tom's mother and her relation with the witches. This could have been a great fantasy movie, instead it's just good looking action with an unusual, grumpy old hero. Voted 7 of 10.

catcam-54410 Having just read all thirteen of the Spooks books, and loved every word, I am disappointed in this film version which has been dumbed down in both plot and characterisation. This could have been a brilliant film, showing shades of good and evil, showing characters with inner depths and divided loyalties, but it is not. It's just another sword and sorcery offering with a tired narrative. It brings nothing new to the genre. The tension, menace and darkness of the books are lost here. What makes the story of Tom Ward so thoroughly enjoyable is the back drop of the dark north west of England landscape full of old legend, terror and harshness. Tom Ward is portrayed as a boy in the books, but is an older youth in the film. This changes the relationship with Alice completely. Less glossy monster scenes and more sustained menace might have improved matters. I think you have done young people a disservice here if you do not think that they can be absorbed by anything other than special affects and zany get outs. You never for one moment worry for Tom, and fear for his life and soul. Such a shame.

SnoopyStyle The witch Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) is imprisoned down a pit by Gregory (Jeff Bridges). Long time after, Malkin escapes and John Gregory is the last of the knights of the order of Falcons. She kills his apprentice William Bradley. He recruits a replacement, Tom Ward (Ben Barnes), who is a farm boy and the seventh son of a seventh son. Tom rescues Alice (Alicia Vikander) who is about to be burnt as a witch. She's the daughter of Malkin's sister Lizzie (Antje Traue). Malkin intends to wreck havoc with her minions as the Blood Moon rises.The first mistake is to kill off cutie pie Kit Harington. He's the star of the movie for the first ten minutes. The movie is left with the growling Bridges and the weaker Ben Barnes. This has no joy or fun. It is a growling, grumpy, dull affair. It's got plenty of whirling CGI but none of it is that compelling. There are more than a few incidences of clunky writing. This is an overblown dour fantasy.