Odd Thomas

Image Entertainment | Release Date: February 28, 2014

7.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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ScribeHardApr 30, 2014

Odd Thomas – which never saw a public US release and is presently available on Netflix – plays like the pilot of a prime time TV show. There is nothing offensive presented, some of the more violent action occurs offscreen or via obstructedOdd Thomas – which never saw a public US release and is presently available on Netflix – plays like the pilot of a prime time TV show. There is nothing offensive presented, some of the more violent action occurs offscreen or via obstructed views, there is a little gallows humor, it occasionally dips its visual toes into ever-so-slightly mature waters (a little gore, Timlin in her underwear, etc.), its characters and locations are memorable and intriguing enough to consider a return trip, and the epilogue leaves the door wide open for future installments. I wish it had been a TV pilot because it is far better suited to that media.

I don’t know that any future installments will ever happen (regardless of screen size), but if they don’t, this installment is just enough quirky fun while it lasts.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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PhoferSep 2, 2014

An almost solid movie horribly tainted by godawful effects. If the effects were at least just alright I could have given it a 7 because of the solid script and cast but, I can't do that. If they do a sequel I hope they improve upon these effects.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TheQuietGamerDec 17, 2018

Succeeds at retelling the story that can be found in the eccentric Dean Koontz novel, but fails to juggle all of it's wildly differing tones making it all for naught. It's handling of the mixture of genres which ranges from comedy to romanceSucceeds at retelling the story that can be found in the eccentric Dean Koontz novel, but fails to juggle all of it's wildly differing tones making it all for naught. It's handling of the mixture of genres which ranges from comedy to romance to horror and everything in between is just as awkward as the dialog. Most of which is pulled directly from the book and doesn't translate to the screen very well. One might be tempted to call Addison Timlin a bad actress after this, but considering what she was given to work with I'd say she did fine. Her lines are often the most unnatural of them all.

As someone who has read the entire series I can say that while it is a little disappointing to see certain side-characters relegated to cameos at best the actual liberties taken here are minor. You'll miss out on the stuff with Odd's parents and Ozzie Boone is relegated to a mere cameo, but these were characters who quickly disappeared as the books progressed anyways. For the most part this is a very faithful adaptation in terms of following the events of the source material. It just doesn't have the same spirit.

While Odd Thomas the book relishes in it's weirdness and embraces it wholeheartedly to create something unique and lovable, Odd Thomas the movie seems uncomfortable with it's own peculiarity. One would expect that the issue with trying to merge all these different styles together would be tonal inconsistency. But in fact the problem is that there's no tone at all. Stephen Sommers direction is strangely muted. Perhaps as an effort to capture the same deadpan tone of the novels. There's no flair as a result though. Something that makes the wooden actors, bland locales, and low budget all the more apparent.

It does have a star in the late Anton Yelchin though. He gave a fully committed performance and was a great Odd Thomas. The movie also does an admirable job of portraying the Bodachs. Mysterious otherworldly monster that feed on pain, suffering, and tragedy. Their appearance may mean that a lot of death is on the way, but they sure do bring a lot of life whenever they're on the screen. More so than the excessively slow motioned action sequences do.

What's most shocking and undesirable about the whole thing is that it manages to make a supernatural mystery-thriller about an unassuming fry cook with the ability to see the dead people feel boring and by the numbers. A vanilla adaptation of a story that's anything but. Skip the movie. Read the book. 4.5/10… Expand

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tethysdustDec 19, 2016

I enjoyed the slowly revealed mystery and Odd's supernatural gifts. However, some of the side character acting was not amazing, and the ending was disappointing in clichéd ways.

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aadityamudharApr 17, 2016

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