‘Red Riding Hood’ is a Grimm viewing experience

OK, I wasn’t expecting greatness from “Red Riding Hood.” But given its Grimm Brothers roots, I thought it might be more than … well, “Twilight Redux.” But no.

Bringing up “Twilight” in relation to “Red Riding Hood” is appropriate for a number of reasons. One, “Hood” is directed by Catherine Hardwicke , the filmmaker responsible for the first film in the “Twilight” franchise.” Two, it features a love triangle between three arguably gorgeous people. And, three, while no vampires can be found lurking on the set, you will find evil … and Gary Oldman, which is nearly the same thing.

Finally, four, that evil comes in the shape of the other demon-seed brood residing in the “Twilignt” series: werewolves.

Yes, the Grimm Brothers tale about the big, bad wolf eating gramdma and preying on poor little Red is now a tale about demons coming out during Blood Moooooooons …. ooooooh, kids scary.

Please. The sets of this film remind me of Neil LaBute’s “Wicker Man” update. And the costuming feels straight out of a high school production of “The Crucible” (as do several plot points).

So, no, I wasn’t expecting greatness. But I was expecting competence. And maybe a bit of fun. Wrong on both counts.

Below : The trailer for “Red Riding Hood.”