A different kind of drama tells about a character called Moh, who has a special talent to bring characters from the books he reads and contemplates. One night, three characters from Inchart emerge, a modern medieval tale full of magical beings. Those stories like Capricorn, Bastard, Two Bad Guys, Dustfinger, Eater and others turn into a scary reality. Ten years later, Meiji discovers the truth behind it, as it seems to be up to her to escape the real evil.
Seemingly intended as a celebration of the power of books, it's an occasionally incoherent, sleep-inducing picture that reduces narrative to mere mechanics.
[Has] plenty of thrills, a smart although oft-confusing script, delightful scenery-chewing scenes from stalwarts like Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent and Andy Serkis, and a gorgeous high-concept visual style.
Brendan Fraser's boyish face usually oozes charisma, but here he just looks plain bored. Which is kind of how the audience looked too.
Salon.com
January 23, 2009
Over and over again, characters in Inkheart wax eloquent on the power of books. But there's nothing in the movie as haunting or as compelling as the sound they make when they speak for themselves.
Kind of a NeverEnding Story-lite, Inkheart never makes full use of its strengths. The ideas about reality and fiction have already been explored better elsewhere, even in light family films.
