BLU-RAY C CRAFT, THE

CRAFT, THE

Written by TroyAnderson Oct 8th 2009 Hits: 399 Favorites

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THE PLOT THUS FAR

If Buffy the Vampire Slayer represents the lighter side of high school as a macabre experience, here's a movie that asks the burning question, "What happens when angst-ridden teenagers develop supernatural powers?" More to the point, how do four outcast teenaged witches handle their ability to cast wicked spells on the taunting classmates who've nicknamed them "The Bitches of Eastwick"? The answer, of course, is "don't get mad, get even." That's about all there is to this terminally silly movie, which makes up for its ludicrous plot by letting its young female cast have a field day as they indulge their dark fantasies. Fairuza Balk is enjoyable as the most wicked of the witches, and is therefore the focus of the film's most dazzling special effects. But it's Neve Campbell from television's Party of Five who made this film a modest box-office hit, just before she became her generation's fright-movie favorite in Scream and its popular sequel. -

WHAT WE THOUGHT

THE CRAFT is one of those films that's strangely compelling even though you're not at all surprised at what occurs. It has it's scary and creepy moments, but it didn't compel me to leave a light on when I was retiring for the evening. My guess at why it wove such a spell over me is the inherent interest most everyone has in magic. You may disagree, but ever since "Bewitched" I wish could clean my house with the twinkle of my nose.

This is a darker tale about three high school outcasts who discover they have a talent for witchcraft and try to convince the new girl, played by Robin Tunney, to join their little group. She's initially thrilled to finally have friends who accept her, but their "fun" has a real evil streak she not's exactly down with. She spends the final third of the film trying to stop their rampage, while coming to terms with her own powers.

It's not exactly a deep film or very well written, but it is entertaining enough if you like films with a supernatural bent. Campbell, pre-Scream, is clearly the biggest draw here and does a good job as the physically and mentally scarred Bonnie who uses her magic to be beautiful again...only to turn ugly on the inside. Who would have guessed? Tunney and Balk play to their respective strengths, wide-eyed innocent and sinister bitch. A case of good acting and decent special effects making a mediocre script watchable.

The Blu-Ray comes with a director's commentary, featurettes and deleted scenes. Pretty much, it's a straight supplemental port from the last Special Edition DVD. But, you get BD Live enabled. Throw on some decent A/V Quality mixed together with a boombastic DTS 5.1 HD master audio track. The film is iffy, but it's worth a rental. By the end of the film, you'll be sick of hearing Letters to Cleo.

RELEASE DATE: 10/13/09