This one is unimaginative and hokey, an adventure nearly as bungling as last holiday season's dragon egg, Eragon
The Seeker (2007)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:18
Fresh:2
Rotten:16
Average Rating:3.9/10
Consensus: The magic of the book is lost in translation with The Seeker, due to its clumsy plot and lack of heart.
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $8,746,699
Synopsis: Based on Susan Cooper's 1973 Newbery Award-winning fantasy novel, THE DARK IS RISING, director David L. Cunningham's 2007 film follows the adventures of young protagonist Will Stanton (Alexander... Based on Susan Cooper's 1973 Newbery Award-winning fantasy novel, THE DARK IS RISING, director David L. Cunningham's 2007 film follows the adventures of young protagonist Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig), who discovers that he is an immortal being connected with an ancient struggle between good and evil. Aided by fellow "Old Ones," including Miss Greythorne (Frances Conroy) and Merriman Lyon (Ian McShane), Will, an American transplant in England, must face off against shadowy forces bent on world domination, most notably represented by the black-clad Rider (Christopher Eccleston). Taking a different approach to Cooper's revered novel, THE SEEKER, actually drawn from the second book in THE DARK IS RISING sequence, will certainly raise the eyebrows of ardent fans of the series, particularly given screenwriter John Hodge's considerable alterations to the original story. (For example, Will is American instead of British.) For those unattached to Cooper's story, however, THE SEEKER will likely prove to be an enjoyable escapist film, with Conroy (SIX FEET UNDER), McShane (DEADWOOD), and Eccleston (HEROES) adding credibility to a largely unknown cast that is anchored by the likable Ludwig. Presented by Walden Media, the company behind the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA screen adaptations, THE SEEKER may not please Cooper purists, but it will undoubtedly entertain those looking for a diverting fantasy movie. [More]
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Ian McShane, Frances Conroy
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, Jonathan Jackson
Director: David L. Cunningham
Director: David L. Cunningham
Screenwriter: John Hodge
Producer: Marc Platt
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for The Seeker
A moderate Potter-teen fantasy about an American kid who comes to little old England with his family (dad's on some kind of academic posting) to find that he is the boy-king leader of a group of supernatural warriors.
The Dark is Rising is one of those awful sorcery tales where a spotty young boy (Alexander Ludwig) suddenly gets to save the Earth from supernatural creeps such as Christopher Eccleston.
Off-the-shelf teen fantasy not likely to satisfy the post-Potter/LOTR crowd but guaranteed to enrage fans of the source novel. The newly added quasi-religious overtones don’t help either.
The acting is mediocre, the story rambles, the special effects -- average at best.
Poor writing and production values like these bring no light to Cooper's novel -- or the audience.
Cooper presented this rather basic good/evil mythos in more low-key, atmospheric form than the film allows, leaving thesps (particularly McShane) having to poker-face their way through lines like, 'The future of the human race rests on you!'
The movie ultimately emerges as a lackluster tale of teenage empowerment and doesn't fully conjure the requisite sense of magical escape necessary to truly captivate and immerse us in the tale.
The Seeker feels passé and lacks a charismatic lead. Too bad Daniel Radcliffe is an only child.
Director David L. Cunningham applies a jarring, disorienting style to much of the action that, rather than mirroring Will's inner confusion, distances the audience from his plight.
Latest News for The Seeker
March 17, 2008:
RT on DVD: I Am Legend Offers (Better) Alternate Ending on DVD
If you loved Will Smith's I Am Legend up until its final chapters, you're in luck; a decidedly different denouement can be found on the special edition DVD, our top pick for you... More...
February 25, 2008:
Amazon Partners With Fox for First Foray Into Movie Biz
Not satisfied with being your one-stop shop for nearly everything under the sun, Amazon.com is moving into the movie business. More...
January 10, 2008:
Box Office Guru Preview: Captain Jack and Captain Morgan Set Sail
For the first time in three weeks, studios will pack a Friday with plenty of new releases as four films open or expand nationwide giving the box office chart a major shakeup.... More...
October 04, 2007:
Critical Consensus: Heartbreak Needs Discipline, Jane Worth Perusing, Seeker Reeks
This week at the movies, we've got honeymooners (The Heartbreak Kid, starring Ben Stiller and Michelle Monhagan), teenage heroes (The Seeker, starring Alexander Ludwig),... More...
More Movies
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Seeker at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Seeker at IGN
- The Seeker at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Spike and Max have signed it -- and it could be yours.

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

DVDs, toys and more to give away from the hit action film.

Free double passes to join Spike Jonze's wild rumpus.

20 double passes to win to the new animated film, produced by Tim Burton.



Top Critic


