The Unborn is the worst kind of a horror movie. The kind that starts off fairly promising then quickly degenerates into a steaming pile of dog crap.

In The Unborn, the lovely Odette Yustman plays Casey Beldon, a woman haunted by horrific visions. Many of these visions revolve around a creepy young boy. (At last a BOY not a girl - this much originality you have to grant it). Could there be a connection between a terrified Casey and this strange child? Take a wild guess.

The Unborn was directed by David S. Goyer. The same David S. Goyer who co-developed screenplays for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight with Christopher and Jonathan Nolan. If Goyer's awful directorial efforts (Blade: Trinity, The Invisible) prove anything it's that he's much better suited writing screenplays with really talented co-writers. I know that sounds harsh, and the truth is, I take no pleasure in making such a comment. I actually met Mr. Goyer at Comic-Con a couple of years back, and it was an absolute delight. Not only is he a gracious individual, but it's perfectly clear that he has a true passion for film (and comic books). Unfortunately, The Unborn further suggests that directing is probably not his calling.

The Unborn certainly features a few moments worth mentioning. There's a dog with an upside down face, a freaky sequence in which an immobile senior citizen arches his back and does a strange spider walk through the corridors of a sinister looking hospital, and a creepy scene in which Casey has an out of body experience, literally. But unfortunately, these moments don't add up to anything, because the glue holding the rest of the picture together doesn't stick. The Unborn shows no patience whatsoever and as it makes it's way to a ridiculous climax, I found myself giggling more than anything else. I generally don't like my supernatural thrillers this funny.

With obvious winks at the Asian horror craze and a demonic tinge that screams The Exorcist, The Unborn goes for unbridled terror and misses the mark badly. Even classy veteran stars like Gary Oldman and Jane Alexander are unable to stop this baby from going belly up.

Grade: C