I'll keep this short and sweet, offering a few comments on the production and content, opposed to a review of the film.
I really enjoyed the entire concept of this movie. It's somewhat unusual to see new(er) horror films that don't use recycled plots, or re-imaginings of old stories. The story has bits and pieces that might remind the viewer of other films, but on the whole, this is a fresh plot, or at worst, not common. Definitely nice to see a fresh plot, even if the overall storyline is a bit easy to telegraph.
While definitely a B-movie from a budgeting perspective, the actors do what I would call an average to above average job in their performances. Their characters do not feel forced, which makes relating to them much easier than those which are either over the top or just flat out bad. The script is also decent. In fact, there are a few lines in the film which felt "very normal," where other writers might have chosen to utilize fancy words or invoke forced dialog. This is appreciated, as it allows the viewer an opportunity to see how s/he might feel and react, opposed to a beautiful movie star regurgitating forced lines in attempt to make a point. This lends credibility to the director's performance as well, as the flow benefitted greatly from such smooth and natural dialog.
That said, the editing absolutely stinks, with some scenes ending in "fade-to-blacks." There are also a few issues with transitions between scenes, but it feels like nitpicking small examples opposed to gaping issues in production. The special fx are also not consistent. There are some live action effects, which look quite good, but they are often followed with stylized blood the very next scene. This stylized cgi blood is hokey looking, but the very next scene follows with live action blood. The inconsistency is more problematic than either use, and could have easily been solved by utilizing a single tactic through the film's entirety.
For viewers interested in content, the film could be described as:
All in all, I found this well above average than the majority of what I see coming from independent horror cinema. Nothing prophetic, and it likely wouldn't make any "favorites" lists, but a decent watch that doesn't require the viewer to make too many leaps of faith. It likely will not be enjoyed by viewers with queesy stomachs or who are not fans of blood, violence, and disturbing images. We're not talking "Cannibal Holocaust" here, but it should provide even the most ardent blood and gore hounds with basic satisfaction.
I really enjoyed the entire concept of this movie. It's somewhat unusual to see new(er) horror films that don't use recycled plots, or re-imaginings of old stories. The story has bits and pieces that might remind the viewer of other films, but on the whole, this is a fresh plot, or at worst, not common. Definitely nice to see a fresh plot, even if the overall storyline is a bit easy to telegraph.
While definitely a B-movie from a budgeting perspective, the actors do what I would call an average to above average job in their performances. Their characters do not feel forced, which makes relating to them much easier than those which are either over the top or just flat out bad. The script is also decent. In fact, there are a few lines in the film which felt "very normal," where other writers might have chosen to utilize fancy words or invoke forced dialog. This is appreciated, as it allows the viewer an opportunity to see how s/he might feel and react, opposed to a beautiful movie star regurgitating forced lines in attempt to make a point. This lends credibility to the director's performance as well, as the flow benefitted greatly from such smooth and natural dialog.
That said, the editing absolutely stinks, with some scenes ending in "fade-to-blacks." There are also a few issues with transitions between scenes, but it feels like nitpicking small examples opposed to gaping issues in production. The special fx are also not consistent. There are some live action effects, which look quite good, but they are often followed with stylized blood the very next scene. This stylized cgi blood is hokey looking, but the very next scene follows with live action blood. The inconsistency is more problematic than either use, and could have easily been solved by utilizing a single tactic through the film's entirety.
For viewers interested in content, the film could be described as:
- very, and often, violent
- containing a fair amount of blood, including a few examples of actual gore (though not over the top disgusting) and the sounds one might expect to hear from acts producing said gore.
- some slightly disturbing scenes, largely from the perspective of their realistic nature - ie "holy crap that looks like it hurt" kind of thing.
- some demented and sidistic acts, including an (almost) rape
All in all, I found this well above average than the majority of what I see coming from independent horror cinema. Nothing prophetic, and it likely wouldn't make any "favorites" lists, but a decent watch that doesn't require the viewer to make too many leaps of faith. It likely will not be enjoyed by viewers with queesy stomachs or who are not fans of blood, violence, and disturbing images. We're not talking "Cannibal Holocaust" here, but it should provide even the most ardent blood and gore hounds with basic satisfaction.