Diagonaldi Very well executed

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Leofwine_draca THE MESSENGERS is one of those ten-a-penny, kid friendly horror films we're seeing more and more of these days as the genre becomes more and more successful at the box office. This one is produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, under their Ghost House pictures banner, and also has Lou Arkoff acting as producer, so at least it has some heavyweight clout behind the scenes. Not that you'd really know it, though, as this is very much a predictable Hollywood horror film, utilising staples we've seen time and again in this genre.I admit I wasn't too impressed once we got into the story of a family moving into a rural farmhouse that turns out to be haunted by some CGI spirits. Yadda yadda yadda, seen it all before, etc. etc. One thing kept me watching: the direction. It's a cut above the norm for this genre, and that's because Thai directing brothers Danny and Oxide Pang (they of THE EYE) have been imported in to give the film some extra style. It's a bold step and one that pays off dividends. This is a stylish, visually sumptuous film, with the Pang brothers reaffirming themselves as a couple of guys who know exactly what they're doing behind the camera. This alone makes THE MESSENGERS stand out from similar competition.That's lucky, because the story ploughs very familiar territory. There are killer birds straight out of the Hitchcock classic, and creepy, ceiling-mounted ghosts not too dissimilar from stuff in THE EXORCIST 3 and THE GRUDGE. As this is PG-13 rated horror, there's little in the way of bloodshed or gruesomeness, but lots of jumpy scare sequences, some effective, some not. Although his presence is a cliché in itself, the use of a little toddler who can see the ghosts is one I liked a lot. The cast is nothing to write home about. Lead Kristen Stewart is a big thing nowadays thanks to appearing in TWILIGHT, and she does acquit herself well as a tough, sympathetic heroine type. Dylan McDermott isn't bad as the father, but his role is a lesser one and he seemingly disappears for long stretches. Worse of all is Penelope Ann Miller, who's just as unsympathetic as she's ever been in a film. I'm definitely not a fan of this actress.The last reel twist is predictable in the extreme, and there are some unintentional laughs when somebody gets impaled on a pitchfork and seemingly suffers no ill effect from the severe wounding. At other times, genuine moments of atmosphere are built up, and there's nothing I disliked too strongly: THE MESSENGERS is what it is, and you're welcome to take it or leave it.

A M Just watched this on TV (didn't spend $20+ at the theater like many of the other reviewers). First, I must admit to being a real lightweight when it comes to scary movies! If the genre is listed as "horror", I do NOT watch it (but I do like a good "thriller", which is what my listings called "The Messengers"). Therefore, I am not extremely jaded on this subject -- which, in my opinion, the previous reviewers are! That being said, I thought this was a pretty good movie and plenty scary. I "jumped" a LOT of times and also actually felt my spine tingle and the hairs on the back of my neck rise quite a lot of times.Flaws do pretty much abound in the plot and directing, but I thought the acting was top-notch and I had no complaints about the cinematography. I never saw any "mics" in the picture, either!

jimanuel12 This is the best ghost movie i think i have ever seen. The special effects were very good if not great. I get really tired of reading reviews of very good movies that are almost always bad. So i thought i would write a review of a very good movie for a chance. If you like ghost movies, this one is the best i have ever seen. I usually do not like ghost movies, i cannot ever be scared of one, but this one has a very different take and the ending explains the entire movie. The cast is excellent, the special effects are very good and the plot is good as well. A little slow at first, but as the movie goes along, the better it gets. This is a movie well worth seeing.

Howard Vause As it goes, I'm rather fond of a well used horror cliché (and this movie has the lot) but it's the incoherent storyline which is so bothersome here. How does a film like this ever get made? Why no story editor pointing out the glaring holes in the story? Irritatingly, it really wouldn't have taken that much work to make a decent haunted-house-horror movie of this shambles - the acting, sets, lighting, photography etc. are all perfectly competent. And although the film is never authentically scary, there are plenty of well handled BOO!-made-you-jump moments.But the film is bursting with inconsistencies. By far, the most grievous and unresolved is the function of the ghosts themselves - what is their motivation, dear? Are they Goody Ghosts on a mission to protect the innocent family from The Killer in their midst? Perhaps - but why then keep attacking the nice family with brutal, spooky violence? They're an ugly bunch, so perhaps they are Really Evil Baddie Ghosts, intent on mindless mayhem. So how come they stop "haunting" as soon as they have exacted their revenge on the perpetrator of their own murders? And why would they be EVIL anyway? I mean, they seemed like perfectly nice (if a bit screamy) people when they were alive. And we never did find out who that little monkey ghost thing is which scuttles around the ceiling. The spirit of dodgy CGI perhaps. I could easily (easily) go on.One (of many) lingering mysteries this movie leaves in its' wake is "who are the "The Messengers"?" Are they perhaps those squawky Hitchcockian crows, who flap about the film delivering no clear message of any sort? Or are "The Messengers" those confusingly nasty ghosts? Come to that, what exactly is The Message?Anyway, my message to you - discerning, intelligent connoisseur of horror movies that you are - should be clear enough; don't waste your time on mediocrity, it'll only make you grumpy.