This adaptation of the traditional Baba Yaga folk story from Russia on first inspection looks like a winner but, well, its not.
Rather than taking the obvious route of a classic, scare filled tale, of a cannibalistic witch, it goes off on what feels like a psychedelic acid trip. There's lots of far out fantasy sequences, with groovy coloured lighting effects, string (yes I did say string) and way out memory lapses.
It's as if the story was re-written as a 60's style hippy horror fest, for reasons I really can't even begin to appreciate.
As a result, its not only not terribly scary, its at times downright silly and feels largely pointless. Which is crying shame, as the acting is solid and the core premise is loaded with horror potential.
4/10.
Rather than taking the obvious route of a classic, scare filled tale, of a cannibalistic witch, it goes off on what feels like a psychedelic acid trip. There's lots of far out fantasy sequences, with groovy coloured lighting effects, string (yes I did say string) and way out memory lapses.
It's as if the story was re-written as a 60's style hippy horror fest, for reasons I really can't even begin to appreciate.
As a result, its not only not terribly scary, its at times downright silly and feels largely pointless. Which is crying shame, as the acting is solid and the core premise is loaded with horror potential.
4/10.