The Amityville Horror

The Lutz family are looking for a new home and find a fantastic house that is going suspiciously cheap considering its size and location. The beautiful Dutch colonial house is set on its own grounds overlooking a lake in Amityville, Long Island.

The reason for its 'knock-down' price is that one year previously a terrible tragedy occurred to the family that lived there. Six members of the DeFeo family where shot dead, as they slept, by one of the sons. Ronald DeFeo, Jr., later claimed to have heard voices telling him to do it.

Deciding that, "houses don't kill people, people kill people", George and Kathy Lutz buy their dream house...

The movie is based on real events, when in November 1974 six members of the DeFeo family were found shot dead in their home. Ronald DeFeo Jr. was later arrested and charged with the murders. One year later the Lutz family moved into the house but no sooner had they unpacked when unsettling events started. The family lasted 28 days in the house before making a hasty exit, never to return.  I wouldn't have lasted five days!

The story of the Lutz family was told in the 1979 movie which was a box-office hit. Audiences were fascinated with the terrifying story that was based on real events. This remake is really only an updated telling of the same story. It doesn't try to delve into the 'whys' and 'hows' of what happened but goes for the entertaining scary movie angle. I would have liked the movie to spend more time on the history of the house and the people who lived there. Like many remakes you wonder was it worthwhile and in this case I would have to say probably not.

For those looking for frights and scares the movie delivers. There are a few parts that will make you physically jump but at other times the tension and suspense lag. The fact that the story is based on true events should really unsettle audiences but that point seems to get lost.

The house itself is well filmed. At times, with the sun shining, it looks beautiful with its lakeside setting - a real dream house. At other times it looks tall and menacing when filmed from the ground looking up towards its distinctive windows. The interior also changes moods from being bright and airy to sinister and creepy.

Parents, George and Kathy Lutz are played by Ryan Reynolds and foxy Australian actress Melissa George who started in Aussie TV soap 'Home and Away'. As soon as they move into the house George starts feeling unwell and starts to have terrifying visions and hear noises and whispering voices. As George gets more and more moody, Kathy tries to keep the family together but George's behaviour gets more aggressive and irrational. He then starts sleeping in the basement. One funny moment is when crazy George asks Kathy "What's wrong with you people?"

The Lutz's three children are played by Jimmy Bennett, Jesse James and Chloe Grace Moretz. Jimmy Bennett recently starred with Bruce Willis in Hostage.

Bottom Line: An unnecessary remake but if scary/horror is your thing you might enjoy this, although it isn't as scary as the Ring or The Grudge. If you enjoy The Amityville Horror you might also like:  Hide And Seek,  Gothika,  Cold Creek Manor,  What Lies Beneath or The Grudge.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  PHILIP BAKER HALL: Bruce Almighty.  JIMMY BENNETT: Hostage.

Genre: Horror

Director: Andrew Douglas

Certificate: The Amityville Horror was rated 15A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of fifteen years of age and upwards. Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. The movie contains strong violence and language.

Official Movie Website:  The Amityville Horror

~ Main Cast ~

Ryan ReynoldsPhilip Baker Hall

Melissa George

Jimmy Bennett

Jesse James

Chloe Grace Moretz