Ghost Storm

_**I liked it...**_ ...for a low-budget cartoony horror adventure, along the lines of "The Fog". Like that film, "Ghost Storm" (2011) takes place on an island off the Northwest coast, involves an eerie menace that manifests as creeping fog, an old priest and the corresponding journal that hides a shameful past. Other than these similarities the story's completely different. The original "The Fog" (1980) created a nice creepy atmosphere, but it always struck me as kind of boring; the '05 remake was more compelling IMHO. While "Ghost Storm" lacks the big-budget finesse of those films, particularly the original, it makes up for it with more energetic storytelling and over-the-top death scenes. The downside is that it comes across as comic booky. Despite this, the actors and filmmakers deliver the goods with a straight face. So it might be cartoonish, but it's not campy. Think "Gargoyles" (1972) or "Bay Coven" (1987) and you'd have a good idea of the approach of "Ghost Storm." All three are comic book horror films made for television. If you enter into "Ghost Storm" with that understanding you'll be able to enjoy it for what it is; if not, you won't. Since the CGI is cartoony and the death scenes are OTT they might elicit laughs from some viewers; so the movie can be enjoyed on this level as well. Other than the positives already noted, "Ghost Storm" has a quality cast, certainly better than the original "The Fog." The main protagonist is the sheriff of the island, played by the very likable Carlos Bernard. Then you have the sheriff's ex-wife, played by the striking Crystal Allen. Next you have their daughter, played by the beautiful Cindy Busby, and her cutie friend (Kacey Rohl). Lastly you have a paranormal investigator played by a guy who looks like a younger Brian Dennehy, Aaron Douglas. I also really liked the love the protagonists show toward each other, particularly as the story proceeds. They're likable, worthy people and you find yourself rooting for them. There are also hints of forgiveness, acceptance and redemption. At the end of the day, "Ghost Storm" is nothing that'll blow you away; it's formulaic and hackneyed. But, still, it works for what it is. It takes elements of "The Fog" and creates a more snappy and micro-budgeted comic booky movie with a better cast. The film runs 90 minutes and was Shot in the Vancouver area. GRADE: B/B-