The Dark Tower (2017)

User Review

• 

  TheReelBurke

  5 / 10

  Idris Elba was great as Roland, and as usual was the best part of this film. All of the Gunslinger action sequences were great and reminded me of the "gun fu" style action sequences from 80's and 90's Hong Kong action films. I found myself captivated by all of the different ways Roland was able to reload. Tom Taylor also gave a solid performance as Jake. The interactions between Jake and Roland brought a levity that brought the film to life.
  
  As a fan of the books that's about all the good, I could find in the film. For starters, the film was too short trying to pack eight books into one film it should have been about 10-15 minutes longer. The pacing was so fast it felt like there were only two acts to the film a beginning and an end. the lack of exposition will leave a general audience confused and makes the film feel flat. McConaughey doesn't feel creepy in a scary as the way "Man in Black," he feels creepy in a slimy used car salesman kind of way. Now that may be due to the reported "clashing visions." That may also be what led to the underuse of several characters. Jackie Earle Haley who is notoriously able to deliver evil and haunting performances was relegated to a laughable henchman.
  
  While The Dark Tower is not a great film it's not a bad film either. The film relies too much on the audience having knowledge of the books. Not building out the world and filling out the lore made the film feel as another paint-by-numbers action film. It had potential and I'm definitely intrigued to see the television series.

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