Director: Andrew Douglas
Writer: Scott Kosar (Screenplay) Jay Anson (Novel)
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Jesse James, Jimmy Bennett, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rachel Nichols, Philip Baker Hall
Plot: Newly-weds are terrorized by demonic forces after moving into a large house that was the site of a grisly mass murder a year before.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Solid Start Bad Finish
Story: The Amityville Horror starts with The Based On True Story warning, where we watch one member of a family slaughter the rest blaming voices in his head for his action. Move forward one year and we meet the Lutz’s family, George (Reynolds), Kathy (George) kids Billy (James), Michael (Bennett) and Chelsea (Moretz) as they plan on moving into the house where the murders take place.
The family is aware of the crimes committed inside the house and move in anyway but it isn’t long until the family start getting haunted by the ghosts of the house. Chelsea the youngest actually ends up befriending one of the ghost Jodie, while George starts getting effected by the dark spirits inside the house. Will the spirits take over George or will the family make it out.
The Amityville Horror gives us the idea it is based on true events and recently these events have actually been dismissed which takes away that factor from the film. The early idea of the hauntings all works very well but then suddenly in the second half it just ends up being dream sequences followed by dream sequence and flashing images throwing away all the slowly built jump scares. I feel this film ends up becoming forgettable in the second half of the film with the best moments in the opening halves moments. (5/10)
Actor Review
Ryan Reynolds: George Lutz is the step father to the children, and husband to Kathy, he is still struggle to win over the eldest child. After the family moves into the house he starts to act strange with the spirits of the house taking over his mind pushing he to the reaches of potentially harming them. Ryan’s performance is the highlight of the film because he has the biggest character change and ends up being the psycho by the end of the film. (7/10)
Melissa George: Kathy Lutz is the loving wife and mother to the children, she doesn’t seem to get affected by the goings on but she does notice the changes happening in the house. She has to look for help before it is too late. Melissa does a solid job in the role proving she could become a scream queen. (6/10)
Jesse James: Billy Lutz is the eldest son of the family who wants to grow up quicker because he doesn’t get along with George still, he gets punished by George through the film but will have to show just how grown up he has become by the end. Jesse does a good in the role trying to be the tough brother while also having a weak side. (7/10)
Jimmy Bennett: Michael Lutz is the middle child who is scared from start to finish of the film even though he does seem to be the closest of the kids to George. Jimmy does a good job looking scared all the way through which the kids should be. (7/10)
Chloe Grace Moretz: Chelsea Lutz is the youngest member of the family who has become friends with the victim of the first slaughter on the house and is even being guided by the decisions. Chloe does a good job in the role of a character that doesn’t make sense because she isn’t scared of a ghost girl. (7/10)
Support Cast: The Amityville Horror doesn’t have the biggest support cast, we get the trademark babysitter and priest but that is all that really ends up in the film.
Director Review: Andrew Douglas – Andrew starts the film nicely but by the end the film seems rushed and tensionless. (5/10)
Horror: The Amityville Horror has good jump scares in the opening half but in the end it is all flashing lights and blood splatter dreams. (5/10)
Mystery: The Amityville Horror tries too create a mystery about what is going on but the investigation side of it is so fast you could blink and miss it. (3/10)
Thriller: The Amityville Horror starts by making you care about what is happening but loses us half way through. (5/10)
Settings: The Amityville Horror uses the setting of the house for the most part which has a creepy external look but otherwise nothing much. (5/10)
Special Effects: The Amityville Horror has good effects when they are needed with the ghosts with the highlight being the babysitter in the closest. (8/10)
Suggestion: The Amityville Horror is one for the horror fans to try, I think the horror fans will get enough out of this one. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Babysitter in the closest.
Worst Part: Last half of the film.
Scariest Scene: Michael needs the toilet.
Believability: Now it is not at all. (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $108 Million
Budget: $19 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Tagline: What happened over the next 28 days has never been explained.
Trivia: Ryan Reynolds chose not to become close with his “movie” children. He wasn’t mean or rude to them, just very distant. So distant in fact that the children often confided to those on the set that “Ryan doesn’t like us!” Ryan said that he didn’t want to “fall in love” with the kids. Ryan did this so that when “George Lutz” started changing, he’d have no trouble easing into the verbal and physical abuse.
Overall: Lacklustre remake of a fictional true story.
Rating 
