MY SOUL TO TAKE - Arguably, Craven's Worst

MY SOUL TO TAKE (horror)
Cast: Max Thieriot, Nick Lashaway, Denzel Whitaker, Jessica Hecht, Frank Grillo, Zena Grey, Dennis Boutsikaris, Emily Meade, Shareeka Epps and Danai Gurira
Director: Wes Craven
Screenplay: Wes Craven
Time: 107 mins
Rating: * 1/2 (out of 4)

Max Thieriot as 'Bug'

PREAMBLE: If you believe that even gifted people can have their 'down' days, then you may understand and forgive this 'turkey' written and directed by the legendary Wes Craven (of Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street fame). Otherwise, you would curse yourself for wasting time and cash on this crap of a film.

THE SKINNY: In the sleepy town of Riverton, USA, legend tells of a serial killer who swore he would return to murder the seven children born the night he died. Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again. Has the psychopath been reincarnated as one of the seven teens, or did he survive the night he was left for dead?

Only one of the kids knows the answer. Adam "Bug" Heller (Max Thieriot) was supposed to die on the bloody night his father went insane. Unaware of his dad's terrifying crimes, he has been plagued by nightmares since he was a baby. But if Bug hopes to save his friends from the 'Riverton Ripper' (Raul Esparza) who has returned, he must face an evil that won't rest - until it finishes the job that began the day he was born.

HITS AND MISSES: The plot is actually a mess - and so is the whole movie. After a hiatus of five years, Craven seems to have lost not just his Muse but also his mind! This teen-slasher is senseless, scareless and soul-less! After sitting through 10 minutes of My Soul To Take, you get the feeling that Craven is rehashing his Elm Street sequences, sans the frightening bits.

You may think that perhaps, the fun is in watching Craven throw his 'red herrings' at us but this quickly gets tiresome as it is meaningless. And don't even think of going for the 3-D version because 3-D was an afterthought. I have no complaints about its second-string cast. They earn their keep - but just barely. (Pic: Paulina Olszynski as Brittany)

THE LOWDOWN: Avoid, unless you have a hot chick that you desperately want to cuddle up with (in which case, you won't be bothered with the movie).