Whisper (2007, Stewart Hendler)

AKA: Hellion – Runtime: 95 Minutes – Country: USA

The overall “EVIL” now has a new figure to release its devilish powers… in shape of a young and harmless seeming boy. I would not go for a real plot description here, since there is not a very serious or complicated one at all. It rather starts right away: the young boy David (Blake Woodruff) is captured by a group of kidnappers, while celebrating his eight birthday party. Soon the captors have to learn that they made a big mistake – since David is no ordinary boy at all, but rather has some supernatural powers which he would use without any hassle… much to the disadvantage of the people who abducted him.

It is definitely a different flick, that is for sure – but that already is just about it. A certain tension can be developed, especially in the beginning. The acting part is good – we can see young Blake Woodruff as the evil boy David (no, not Damien… but it reminds you of The Omen) – I think that surely is an average performance. The rest of the cast is very convincing as well, the characters are just well portraited.

But, and that is the whole problem of this film: the non stating and basically senseless story, which seemed to be way too constructed. The newborn “evil on earth” has been living on this planet for 8 years – and now becomes victim of an abduction, which leads to a full release of his powers ? A mother, which tolerated his being for a long time, and is now even happy about the fact that he was kind of incidentally taken away ? I do not know… sounds rather weird than disturbing – and it IS… !

David (Blake Woodruff), the newborn evil who fights against his abductors

During the whole process of the film we as the viewers are mostly left out in the dark, concerning the further background of the storyline – to be contrary to the film “The Omen“, which left us a much more comprehensible conclusion. There are many things which seemed kind of weird, in a negative way. Let us simply take a look at the ending of the film.

But warning: spoilers ! - The whole thing got more and more ridiculous. After decimating his abductors and/or opponents (additionally even some other and random persons, who came along the way without being connected to them), the evil boy David faced himself in a hilarious one-on-one battle with the “strongest” man remaining. Watch the film to see the result, but do not expect too much. To be honest, I even had to laugh concerning one important scene at the end of the film (the “flying axes”)… and that is just not right, considering the genre and the atmosphere which is developing in the first minutes. Talking about a weak storyline with some cross fading effects, garnished with some random shocking moments… I guess that comes very accurate here. - Spoiler end.

The acting and technical part were overall excellent. So it is hard to come to a final conclusion here… since the whole thing is very unbalanced. A good technical and acting part, even a basic approach referring to the storyline – but a rather painful realization, at least concerning my experience. Can I be a little cheeky here ? Think about the film without this child in the leading role… exactly – it would be nothing. Unsubstantial, often senseless, overall uninspiring. Definitely no horror flick you want to look twice, I guess. Still – 5.2 out of 10 points.

Buy this DVD at Amazon.com to make your own mind. You can watch the trailer here.