Willy's Wonderland

I’m not a Nic Cage fan. I find his acting … unwelcoming. It’s too erratic, too unreliable, too disconnected from the situation its in. But the idea of him, in a horror comedy about a haunted Chuck E Cheese-style restaurant, fighting demonic animatronics, was too bizarre not to check out. And it totally pays off the investment. Cage plays an unnamed character who literally, never once speaks a word of dialogue. He’s a mysterious hard case, who through a set of circumstances, finds himself locked in the titular haunted restaurant overnight, as the robots come to life to take his. Along the way, some teens get involved, and carnage of both robotic and human ensue, and it’s a constant joy. Every moment of this movie is just bonkers deranged lunacy. Using Cage, and having him play more or less a straight man (except for one small scene, and you’ll know it) is maniacal genius casting. The movie never loses energy, never flags from its mission of being balls to the wall nuts, and always knows how cheesy the premise and execution is. Direction, editing, music, and of course the effects, are all turned up full volume, a constant barrage of goofy charm. The only potential flaw is if you’re looking for it to be actually scary. It isn’t. Not one bit, not even by accident. But it’s also too busy being crazy, so, you know, I’m good with that. Maybe that’s the secret to enjoying Cage — the movie around him has to be crazier than he is.