1408 Review

I wanted to like 1408 more than I did. There was just something about it that kept me from walking out of the theater thinking: wow.

Don’t misunderstand me, 1408 is a good flick. Adapted from a Stephen King short story and directed by Mikael Hafstrom, it’s pretty much a one-man show starring John Cusack in all his wryness. Cusack plays writer, Mike Enslin, very much intent in witnessing some true paranormal activity. He haunts hotels and mansions in search for some truth to the ghost stories that give these faltering operations a last leg to stand on. You are led to believe he does this solely to prove to himself that there is something out there after death – something, somewhere for his dead daughter to feel safe.

After a mysterious postcard arrives warning him not to enter room 1408 at The Dolphin Hotel, Enslin reluctantly packs his bag and gadgets and heads for New York, on the hunt once more. Samuel L. Jackson, in a small but important role as the hotel manager, provides the history and warning behind the “f**king evil room.” It must be some unwritten rule that Sam gets an f-drop in all his movies – even the single drop allowed in a PG-13 thriller.

Once Enslin enters room 1408, the movie kicks into drive and runs at near real-time speed, as a clock ticks down from 60:00, no one having ever lasted the room an hour.

The movie works; it’s all there. I was just hoping for that something special that makes some movies so much more. If you are in the mood for a scare and a jump, 1408 is a good movie to catch at a matinee price.