It’s hard to mock a movie that celebrates the joy of reading, especially in a time when experts contend children are reading less than ever before.
But a movie critic can’t let emotions rule the day.
“Inkheart,” the new family friendly feature hitting theaters this weekend, isn’t a fraction as compelling as the “Harry Potter” films, or even the recent “Spiderwick Chronicles,” for that matter.
The film stars Brendan Fraser as Mortimer, a man who possesses a unique power that changes the course of his life.
He’s a Silvertongue, someone who can bring fiction to life just by reading books aloud. Years ago, he read a few too many passages from a fantasy novel named “Inkheart” and unleashed some villains into the world, including Capricorn, played with mucho gusto by Andy Serkis.
Now, Mortimer and his daughter (Eliza Bennett) are being hounded by Capricorn and his punk-rock minions – who knew mohawks were in vogue in medieval times? They want Mortimer to read some more of his wicked friends into existence.
“Inkheart” isn’t starved for choice character parts. Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent and Paul Bettany all take on colorful, but ultimately emply roles, with only Bettany registering some pathos as one of the less twisted characters brought to life.
But the mayhem is orchestrated with an unsteady hand, and the film’s story packs so many holes even a toddler could point his pudgy hand at the screen and shout, “why don’t they just …” to save the day.
Fraser, who proved he wasn’t just another handsome lug in films like “School Ties” and “Gods and Monsters,” all but sleepwalks through “Inkheart.”
Audiences will likely join him in a long, restful snooze before the film reaches its noisy finale.
(Photo: Brendan Fraser, center, stars as a man who can bring fictional characters to life in “Inkheart.” Photo credit: Murray Close)
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
what breed of dog is Toto in Inkheart?
The dogs used to play Toto in Inkheart are actually West Highland Terriers dyed black.
west highland terriers dyed black????!!!! Are you for real!!! I’m pretty certain they are just black west highland terriers (westies). What would be the point in dying them when there are lots out there which are born black!!!
If you are aware of somewhere that I can find a black westie then please point me in there direction as I would love one to keep our little White one company, alas what you refer to is probably a Scottie not a Westie. I you think I would have offered my reply without prior research then it is indeed you who needs to “get real”.
Xxx
Toto from Inkheart is Cairn Terrier, and no way Westy…. You have wrong Andy…..
Toto, the dog from The Wizard of Oz. He becomes Meggie’s pet, after he’s read out of L. Frank Baum’s landmark fantasy novel. (Note: Due to legal issues, Cairn Terriers were not used; instead, they — three of them — were white Westies, dyed black).
These are the words of an observer from the set, google it if you don’t belive me, dye is used on animals quite commonly to create uniformaty when multiple animals are used to play the same part.
I am not sure what dogs were used, however from the book description it sounded like a affenpinscher. However you are correct there are NO black Westies as the full name is WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER. They were specifically bred white to stand out when a hunter killed his black terrier, while hunting.
inkheart rocks how long did it take to read the book
im 10 years old and i like it so far just kidding my name is amma
The dog that plays Toto is not a Westie, it’s an untrimmed Scottish Terrier. While Westies are Scottish, and Terriers, they are always white. The original Toto was supposed to be a Cairn, but Toto is often played by a Scottie.
Hey, Toto from Ink Heart is 100% Cairn Terrier… Scottish Terrier? You must look about bread and you will see…
Westies are not black, ever (as someone said, West Highland WHITE Terriers). Scotties are never white (though they can be Wheaten, Brindle or Black). I know the dog is a Scottie, you just have to look at the head (I’ve been in dogs for 30 years, not an expert perhaps, but I know Terriers well). Amber is very correct. And there’s no point in in dying a Westie black when they could have used a dark Cairn, or a Scottie. Either way, it’s a good, enjoyable movie.
Westies are not black, ever (as someone said, West Highland WHITE Terriers). Scotties are never white (though they can be Wheaten, Brindle or Black). I am sure the dog is a Scottie, you just have to look at the head/muzzle (I’ve been in dogs for 30 years, not an expert perhaps, but I know Terriers well). Amber is very correct. There’s no point in in dying a Westie black when they could have used a dark Cairn, or a Scottie. No point in arguing the fact, either way, it’s a good, very enjoyable movie.
The dog is not a scottie. I have a westie and neighbours with scotties, and it’s actually the head that determines it’s not a scottie in the movie.
Inkheart’s Toto looks like a westie, almost identical to my little westie, just completely black. It’s quite clever really. I’ve seen photos of blue westies, pink westies etc. (I can’t imagine dying mine).
I think I’ll take Andy’s words, as an observer from the set, rather than speculation.
I thought the dog was probably one of the only ‘highlights’ of that movie though…