Most of the reviews here seem to have been written by people who don't truly enjoy the horror genre. Why criticize a horror film because it's "unoriginal"? Maybe it's because I've been watching films for over 30 years, but believe me, there's nothing original in any horror plot. Yet, I love these movies. Most of the fun is involved with how the story unfolds, how it arrives - not with how original the elements are. Clichés can still be fun. This film has great production values for a low budget film, and solid acting by Forrest Whitaker. The female lead seemed to be a weak actress, but it could have been because the script was indeed weak, and I kept wanting her to SAY SOMETHING. This film is atmospheric with a snowy, cold atmosphere, creepy special effects (note, creepy, not startlingly horrific) and a solid plot foundation in an old tragedy. The children's book illustrations were great, even down to Stickyfeet's alligator companion, which shows up as a childhood stuffed animal. The villain was indeed horrific to me, as the sexual murder of the child was more than "misguided and pathetic" to me. Not to mention the teenage selfishness and carelessness that made the whole tragedy possible. Yes, filled with clichés, weak dialogue, but still interesting and fun to watch. In the world of B horror films, it's a B+.
