Ultimately a disappointment due to how generic it felt. The movie got off to a decent start. The plot set-up was fine, there was a good fight scene in a hotel room, and there was a reasonably tense heist-style sequence. It was on pace not to break any new ground, but to be an effective, entertaining thriller. Then, about two-thirds of the way through, it decided to become a second rate action movie.
The "action" consisted of two car chases. They were filmed competently, but did nothing that has not been done in countless other films. Even the chase near the end of the movie, supposedly the climax of the film, was no more exciting than something typically seen in the first act of a better action movie, before they get to the really good set pieces. The jarring switch from thriller to lackluster action robbed the film of its suspense, and squandered the goodwill it had built up in its first two-thirds.
Much like with "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones", I was probably grading "Devil's Due" on a bit of a curve. I go into horror movies like this with no greater expectation than to be reasonably entertained and maybe jump at one or two scares. Because low expectations are easier to fulfill, I generally enjoy myself, and this was no exception.
There were some nice visual effects (people being hurled into the air, etc.) that were lent some extra weight due to the "you are there" found footage nature of the film. It had its creepy moments but, again, nothing that really stuck with me afterwards.
All in all, I had a fun time at the theatre watching it. To be fair, though, I did hear more than one recitation of "that sucked ass" while leaving the theatre.
I have heard complaints about this film from some theatre friends of mine about what was cut or changed in the translation from stage to screen. Having not seen or read the play, I was able to judge the film on its own merits.
The movie has some big, over-the-top performances. It is most definitely melodrama. But it is good melodrama; the big performances mostly work. The film is full of overly dramatic scenes of characters (who usually don't like each other) generally being miserable to one another. While in hindsight the series of revelations that keep popping up can be a bit unbelievable, it all works in the context of the film. The fun is in watching to see just how messed up this family can get (spoiler: pretty messed up), and how nasty they can be to each other while getting there. The film is full of clever lines and uncomfortable moments that are very entertaining to hear and watch.
The very end of the film felt a bit pointless. I have read that it was added for the movie, and that the play ended a scene earlier. That would have been the best move for the film, too.
Next time: "Ride Along", "The Legend of Hercules", and "The Nut Job".
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