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The Dark Tower
Nikolaj Arcel
(2017)
92min
12A Certificate
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Review
Our Score
by
Emma Simmonds
Matthew McConaughey prepares to unleash hell on Earth while dressed, distractingly, as a 1980s magician in this cynical adaptation of Stephen King's book series. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, it is a pick-and-mix of ideas taken from across the eight volumes, with generic fantasy elements thrown in. Meanwhile, a shift in protagonist and its bloodless action enables it to fit comfortably into the young adult bracket. Tom Taylor plays a troubled youngster living in New York City who is plagued by visions of another world inhabited by a disaffected gunslinger (Idris Elba) and a dastardly sorcerer (McConaughey) who's bent on destroying the tower that stands at the centre of the universe to ward off evil forces. The action is vaguely diverting, Elba glowers suitably and softens convincingly, while Taylor is blandly credible. However McConaughey quickly lapses into self-parody - he's less sinister, more smug.
The Dark Tower
favours flashy spectacle and relentless exposition over characterisation as it hastens to a depressingly open-ended dénouement. Rather like the casing that falls from the gunslinger's pistol, it has been stripped of impact, and hits the ground as an empty shell.
Summary
A young lad is transported to a parallel universe where he is caught in a battle between a mysterious gunslinger and a sinister sorcerer. Fantasy adventure based on the Stephen King novels, starring Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Taylor.
Cast & Crew
Roland Deschain / The Gunslinger
Idris Elba
Walter O'Dim / Man in Black
Matthew McConaughey
Jake
Tom Taylor (3)
Arra
Claudia Kim
Pimli
Fran Kranz
Tirana
Abbey Lee
Sayre
Jackie Earle Haley
Lucas Hanson
Nicholas Hamilton
Laurie Chambers
Katheryn Winnick
Steven Deschain
Dennis Haysbert
Dr Hotchkiss
José Zuñiga
Director
Nikolaj Arcel
see more
Other Information
Language:
English
Colour
Theatrical distributor:
Sony
Guidance:
some violence.
Available on:
DVD and Blu-ray
Released on:
18 Aug 2017
Drama
Full Episode Guide
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