THE WICKER TREE: LAME REMAKE

If you've never seen THE WICKER MAN I would suggest you do so before watching this film. I was never a big fan of the original film but would at least give it credit for attempting to make something original in the world of horror as well as offering some solid storytelling while doing so. All the things that make that movie memorable serve to show how bad this film is.

THE WICKER TREE takes the same story, kind of, and adds a new twist to it. While the original film focused around a Christian policeman coming to a secluded island in England to try and search for a missing girl only to discover that the island was inhabited by pagans out to find a sacrifice, that all gets tossed aside here. Instead we have two young American Christians who are on a journey to preach the word of God. The young girl was a hot teen sensation who changed her ways and now preaches while singing country music. Can you say stereotype?

Along with her fiancé they head to a small village in Scotland to preach the word (oddly enough I've rarely heard of missionary work in Scotland) and display their promise rings while doing so. Given moments alone they're tempted to have at it but hold off and keep their promise. Well, at least to each other. The young man falls for a temptress from the manor and loses his ring in the process, all within minutes of seeing her skinny dipping form.

Anything that made the original film work is tossed aside here. It feels as if the intent of the film is to ridicule Christians more than create a work of horror. From beginning to end I found nothing the least bit scary here whereas the original film had a sort of odd feeling to it that made you think. This doesn't do that at all.

All characters here seem like cardboard cut outs with acting skills in some that fit that format. The decent actors seem wasted here and a cameo appearance by Christopher Lee (who was in the original film) is a waste. This movie offers little wit, little humor, no scares and worst of all is boring from start to finish.

As I said earlier you might want to seek out the original film when it comes to this title. The remake is nothing more than an excuse for someone to get a paycheck while riding on the coattails of the original.

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