Alien at the Movies

It's "Mean Girls" meets "Aladdin" meets "Final Destination" when little Ramona Quimby grows up to be a bullied teenager Clare Shannon (Joey King) struggling to get through high school. Loosely based on a short story called "The Monkey's Paw", Clare's life takes a horrific turn when her dumpster diving dad (Ryan Phillippe) gives her an old Chinese music box which magically grants her 7 wishes, but at what price. Looking for revenge, fortune, & popularity, she gets more than what she bargained for. When the music plays, it's time to pay the piper. Audience can pretty much predict each key event outcome because the setup so blatantly telegraphs its intent that it becomes almost laughable. Nevertheless, the film uses this to build tension & that dread factor just before you cringe a bit. This is basically a drug abuse metaphor with the user so addicted to the self gratifying highs that they can't see how they are hurting those loved ones closest to them. Look for a mid-credit clip that is totally expected in this genre.

Alien gives it 2½ "Yao Guai" stars out of 4.