Here's yet another lackluster, needless remake.Willard, a nerdy guy living with his sick mother, works at a company founded by his father, verbally abused by a nasty boss. When he discovers rats in his basement he sets out some traps-but when he catches a white one in a glue trap he feels sorry for it and decides to keep it as a pet, Socrates. As Willard's life gets more out of control he gains more power over the rats. Yet there's this huge rat, Ben, whom he feels poses a threat to him-and he doesn't treat this rat well, which is a big mistake.At first you think that it's perfect casting to have Crispin Glover as Willard-but it doesn't work because the portrayal of the character is just creepy, not sympathetic. You don't care what happens to this guy. In fact, in the scene where he lets his boss kill his favorite rat, you really lose all attachment to this character.The only thing I liked about this movie was one scene in which Ben and the other rats chase after this cat--the cat runs into the living room, accidently turns out the tv which is set to an easy listening station--which starts playing that Michael Jackson 'BEN' song (which was used in the original Willard sequel BEN). That was funny and kind of sick.If you've never seen the original WILLARD then you should do so--and avoid this version.
Here's yet another lackluster, needless remake.Willard, a nerdy guy living with his sick mother, works at a company founded by his father, verbally abused by a nasty boss. When he discovers rats in his basement he sets out some traps-but when he catches a white one in a glue trap he feels sorry for it and decides to keep it as a pet, Socrates. As Willard's life gets more out of control he gains more power over the rats. Yet there's this huge rat, Ben, whom he feels poses a threat to him-and he doesn't treat this rat well, which is a big mistake.At first you think that it's perfect casting to have Crispin Glover as Willard-but it doesn't work because the portrayal of the character is just creepy, not sympathetic. You don't care what happens to this guy. In fact, in the scene where he lets his boss kill his favorite rat, you really lose all attachment to this character.The only thing I liked about this movie was one scene in which Ben and the other rats chase after this cat--the cat runs into the living room, accidently turns out the tv which is set to an easy listening station--which starts playing that Michael Jackson 'BEN' song (which was used in the original Willard sequel BEN). That was funny and kind of sick.If you've never seen the original WILLARD then you should do so--and avoid this version.
