The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

Think Harry Potter meets Bridge to Terabithia, and you have this Disney-esque boys' movie about a young lad (Alexander Ludwig) who while living a seemingly normal existence is suddenly summoned to a mysterious conclave where he learns he is the last of a series of warriors who have spent their entire lives fighting the forces of evil and the Dark. Will learns he is the seventh son of the seventh son, a chosen one who travels through time searching for the signs that are all leading to the ultimate battle and his assignment to save the human race. Seems the previous warriors, now all aging, have hidden the six key signs that represent the power of the Light. As Will uncovers each one of them, his confidence and ability to succeed in his task increases. It's all based on the first of the Seeker novels, The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper; and like the book, the film is chock-full of valuable lessons for our hero, most notably that you should never let the dark side of life get the better of you. Yawn. While perfectly fine entertainment for people ages 12 and under, adults will find the whole thing a bit of a snooze. There are some fine actors here, including Deadwood's Ian McShane and Six Feet Under's Frances Conroy as two of the geezer warriors who lead Will on his quest, and the movie certainly looks good; but it doesn't really catch fire. And unfortunately, there's nothing here we haven't seen done better in the many movies it wants to ape.

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