INKHEART

Inkheart is based on the successful book by Cornelia Funke, which revels in the power of storytelling. Brendan Fraser stars as Mo ‘Silvertongue’ Folchart, who discovers one fateful evening that he has the ability to bring fictional characters to life by reading stories aloud. However, a mortal human is always sent in as a replacement (and on this occasion his wife was forfeited). Folchart along with his daughter and some friends embark on a long search to recover her. The film has an interesting premise, but the execution is flat and contrived as the plot is contradictory and confusing (particularly as this was aimed at younger viewers). Ultimately, it is a dark fantasy-adventure brimming with much-loved characters from yesteryear that is assisted by good visuals, particularly with the arrival of the super villain. (Natalie Salvo)