My History With the Film:
I purchased Darkness Falls back in 2003 on a whim. I bought a lot of DVDs sight unseen and Darkness Falls was one of them. I lucked out because I really enjoyed the film, even though it was widely panned by critics and fans alike.
What The Film Is About (Non-Spoiler):
The lone survivor of a spirit who has taken on the persona of the tooth fairy must face off against her as an adult.
What I Liked About It:
-This movie was ridiculed for being a horror movie about the tooth fairy and that was unfair. It uses the tooth fairy legend to act as a vehicle for the spirit and it really works within the realm of the story.
-Darkness Falls is a fun, popcorn horror film. It’s really short and is full of scares. There are no amazing performances or very memorable set pieces, but it’s a fun adventure while it lasts.
-The Tooth Fairy is a scary looking creature and the sound design around it is terrifying.
What I Didn’t Like About It:
-Sometimes I wish the film was fleshed out a bit more so it would be more socially accepted.
-Occasionally the CGI pulls you out the film. Luckily, a lot of the scares take place in the shadows and darkness.
Additional Notes:
-The closing credits run for eleven minutes, because without the added time the movie was too short for theatrical release.
-The original script had the tooth fairy only showing up in the final act. However, the studio wanted the tooth fairy to be seen more, so they had Stan Winston create a new Tooth Fairy that would be seen throughout the film. The original designed tooth fairy was the basis for the McFarlane Toys figure released in 2002. The original design was originally played by Doug Jones in makeup.
-Shares much of the same score as Timeline, also released in 2003 by Brian Tyler.
-The film had five different titles before settling on Darkness Falls: “The Tooth Fairy”, “Don’t Peek”, “Fear of the Dark”, “The Tooth Fairy: The Ghost of Matilda Dixon” and “The Tooth Fairy: Every Legend Has Its Dark Side”
-The director Jonathan Liebesman also directed Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and Rings (Short).
Rating:
I liked Darkness Falls the first time I saw it, and I enjoyed it on my most recent re-watch. It’s a simple horror movie that doesn’t break any new ground and just attempts to give you a few goosebumps.
I rate Darkness Falls a three out of five.
