I must say it has been a while since i have seen an opening sequence that was quite as brutal and as gorry as this one. I don't think i could describe the way in which a pick axe wielding monster attacks three men in a bloodthirsty assult. Not since Saving Private Ryan have i seen such graphic gore. There was even a disturbing sequence being played while the credits were rolling, which although disturbing, tie in nicely with the film when reflected on at the end.
Soundtrack **********
The soundtrack was not revolutionary in any way, and used a blend of light hearted pop songs to more expected heavy metal material. In no way was it as memorable as the shower scene in psycho or the chilling music that would accompany Michael Myers in his pursuit of a victim in Halloween. I don't think this aspect was given enough thought, and even though it would not be enough to put you off the film, it is irritating that it is not taken more seriously - it can make a big difference.
Acting ******
There was nothing wrong with the acting in this film and at no point could i stand up and say that is shocking, everyone put in a solid performances. But that was all it was...solid. There was nothing outstanding that made the film stand out like the excellent Sixth Sense which, thanks to great acting made the film an instant success. Maybe a big name actor could have pushed this film into the 'outstanding' category, but instead all it did was set it apart from poor horror films of which there are many.
Plot ****
The film begins with a family taking a trip across America to get to California, and on the strength of a suggestion of a petrol pump attendant, take a short cut on a dirt track that runs through a set of sand ridden hills. On route the road is spiked and with all four tyres slashed the car crashes to a hault. Isolated, the men set off in all directions to find a main road - and the father made his way back to the petrol station 5 miles down the road. When he reaches the station, the attendant blows his own head off and the father realises who spiked the car and who lives in the hills thanks to newspaper cuttings he finds in the petrol station. The hills had been used for nuclear testing and an old mining family had refused to move from the area - consequently deformed children had been born and the problem had multiplied to todays predicament.
Then the bulk of the story unfolds and many of the family members are murdered in one scene in the most butal way... and the scene is very graphic. After the melee four people survive, but one of those is a baby which has been abducted but the deformed people of the hill.
Now it is up to the other three to go and save the child, will they succeed? you'll have to watch it to find out....... he he.
The plot has been done before and this isn't the greatest story of all time but it works and it has moments that makes you jump. I'd have to give it an 8 out of 10 overall, i've seen better films, but not that many.
Enjoy.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2000 - Horror - Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, James Van Der Beek, Keenen Ivory Wayans
Re-rated based on Ciao's insistence that such reviews are no longer considered "Off Topic"
Soho_Black 10.07.2006 18:18
I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" in the top right of the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
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