"The Box"

Richard Kelly is undeniably one of the smartest film-makers of the 21st century. Though his previous attempt, Southland Tales, was a bit of a flop, his directorial debut-Donnie Darko-is still one of the greatest cult flicks of all time. Kelly's latest film is The Box. A witty, convoluted, frantic, and, entertaining mess. Though it has that entertainment factor I mentioned, its still is a mess. The Box is one of those films you really have to pay attention to to understand, yet at the same time its the kind where you question "Why in Gods name are you watching this?" Its the sort of Sci-Fi fable you don't really see anymore, with a Twilight Zone twist.

The film is based off of a short story written by Richard Maetheson(Button  Button), The Box revolves around a couple living in Richmond, Virginia. Arthur and Norma (James Marsden and Cameron Diaz) are, like most couples nowadays, financially strapped for cash and will do anything to get it. Even questioning their morals. When one day they discover a box sitting on their porch they set off a ridiculous chain of events.

No matter how unrealistic Diaz and Marsden might be they still manage to offer something fresh to the movie. Even as it gets weirder and weirder throughout. After receiving their new toy the couple get a visit from a Mr. Steward(Frank Langella). Langella plays a very mysterious and, well, creepy man whose missing half of the left side of his face. Though the man has an undeniably eerie presence he dresses sharply and has quite the vocal tone. He informs them both that they can push the shiny red button on the box and they will receive a million dollars in cash. But, like always, there is a catch. One person, some-where in the world, will die because of their little button pushing fingers.

Thus beginning the weird and moral conflicts which arise in Richard Kelly's strange tale. At the beginning the couple bicker on and on about pushing the damn thing until finally they do. Here is when the movie takes off from the original story. Diaz's maimed foot plays an "important" role in the film and all of their close friends start having nose bleeds and a bunch of other hoo-ha. This is where Kelly's imagination comes forth and the movie goes from a traditional campy Sci-Fi film into a messy, campy, Sci-Fi film. The story begins to get so damn confusing and so full convoluted that you need to re-wind, in your mind, and figure out what the hell is going on.

The zany script and story don't help to clarify things up either. They in fact make things worse. The film features an interesting concept but gets lost amongst the whole Sci-Fi weirdness of it all. Oh by the way its based in 1975. Kelly leaves a little too much up to the imagination and not enough is delivered throughout the movie experience. Though the films creepiest scene comes in the most random time its still on of the better parts to the entire film. Its not exactly the best movie to be released now for this coming holiday season, it would've been better off being released during the Spring time.

Just like the "Twilight Zone" episode which was based off of the original story, the movie sort of floats off of that original source material and trys to do its own thing. At times it feels more like they tried to adapt the episode for the movies. Rather than the story for the movies. Somewhere along the second half, when you think it gets better, is actually when it gets kind of dumb and predictable. Kelly spends too much time filling up the screen with eye candy and weirded out storytelling that it loses sight of what it originally was. Or what it should be.

Though Kelly is an undeniably creative film auteur, he often lets his imagination get the best of him and allows his movie to suffer. His cast delivers fine performances. Though they could of been better. And the film's biggest scene stealer is Langella with his creepy Mr. Steward. A man who adds some style, suspense, and substance to every scene he's in. Kelly does create an undeniably entertaining film, but sadly it falls under the weight of his over active imagination. If you're a fan of Kelly's breakout hit Donnie Darko then you might like this film. Despite its campiness and ridiculous story its still rather entertaining. Just be ready to enter another dimension while watching.  Grade: C

Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images