Originally planned for 2009, The Hole has been gathering dust somewhere on a shelf just waiting for an audience. That time has finally come as director Joe Dante’s latest venture into horror makes its way into theaters in 3D and will soon be available on Blu-ray and DVD as well. Does it have what it takes to be truly frightening or should the film have stayed on the shelf?

Brothers Dane (Chris Massoglia) and Lucas (Nathan Gamble) have just moved into their new home in Bensonville, a quiet little neighborhood where not much happens. Having previously lived in New York, it’s quite the big change. While adjusting to their new lifestyle, they stumble upon a mysterious locked hole in the basement. Opening it reveals a bottomless pit filled with blackness. But there’s something lurking within the dark and now it’s been freed.

The Hole 3D is a family friendly horror movie that uses much of the same techniques and scares Dante is known for from his earlier work. Just because it’s family friend don’t think that it’s not scary, though.  Contained within the hole are the deepest fears of Dane, Lucas, and their new friend, Julie (Haley Bennett). For Lucas, it’s a creepy clown puppet that comes to life. Dane and Julie’s fear revolve around more adult themes. Dane fears his father who happens to be in prison and is the reason behind his family moving so much in the past. Julie, meanwhile, has a dark secret from her past that returns. It’s these complex adult themes that make The Hole something more than just another typical horror film. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some typical horror stereotypes, though.

The film is a little slow on the buildup as it attempts to establish the characters and the story. The dialogue is more geared towards little kids, with hilariously bad banter between the Dane, Lucas, and Julie as to what they should do about the hole in the basement. Then, of course, there are also the random bikini scenes where Bennett is nothing more than eye candy in typical horror fashion, while still keeping things PG-13. It’s only towards the end of the film where its true message really shines through.

The whole fear theme of The Hole 3D is what works best for the film. There are a few frightening moments involving a well place clown puppet or creepy little girl, but you have to wade through a lot of filler to get there. While the 3D is nice and all, it might just be best to wait until the home release as spending an arm and a leg to see it at the theater with the whole family isn’t totally worth it. At home on a dark and stormy night, however, is a different story.