Mama 2013 - REVIEW

So, Tamar and I traveled over to the local Regal tonight to catch the new film "Mama". Now, first things first, I fell for the whole attaching someone's name to it gimmick. By that I mean, I, for whatever reason, I thought Guillermo del Toro was responsible for this film. Being a huge fan of his work, I was stoked to see another ghost story from him. Come to find out, I simply wasn't paying any attention. He is "Executive Producer" of the film.

With that being said, "Mama" is the story of Annabel (Jessica Chastain) and Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) who are faced with the challenge of raising his young nieces, Victoria and Lilly, after they are abandoned, by their Father, in the forest for 5 years. Once they are finally found, they are "wild", especially Lilly. However, who is it that has been raising them for 5 years? It ain't the TV!

What I enjoyed about the film the most, was the beginning of the film, when we are introduced to young Victoria and Lilly. Their innocence, which is portrayed so very well by the young girl who plays Victoria (Morgan McGarry), comes across insanely natural. Having a daughter myself, I automatically thought about her and how she would feel, if she was in that situation.

As for the rest of the film, the storyline is not truly unique. Yet, the cinematography makes up for it. There really are no weak links in the cast. They each hold their own, and push the story forward. I, personally, feel that the lack of horror experience, when it comes to the writers (Neil Cross, Andrés Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti) and the director (Andrés Muschietti), is really what kept this from being such a better film. But, hey, who am I to say. Anyway, If you are considering seeing this or the new Texas Chainsaw... I would say... go see "Mama".

Reviewed by: Brandon Blake