 |
| Image Source |
A struggling photographer has been given the task of finding the perfect shot, to get a shot at the big league. And for that he is intent to go as far as he could. But what he didn't realize was that the city harbored a terrifying secret from which there's no escaping......
Pretty amazing this. Not as a horror movie, but as a suspense thriller this rocks. From the start we are thrust into a world which only looks good. And as Leslie Bibb says- "The city was never safe. It was always a hellhole". We know that its going to be downhill with the dark atmosphere being created, but it isn't scary for me. Its thrilling and suspenseful though. We want to know who the killer is. And after that why is he butchering the people? And also will our protagonist ever win the battle against this cold hearted murderer? Shades of some cannibal movies but this isnt as scary even though the antagonist looks creepy and scares you with his silence and coldness. Instead of the deformed faces which the cannibal movies revel in. So this train ride does thrill you and shock you but scary its not. I don't know why but I didnt feel anything akin to dread. Except maybe when Vinnie Jones looks coldly and slaughters people left,right and centre. And the ending which did make a little uncomfortable. And also delighted that it was my kind of a ending. Nihilistic.
Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura (No One Lives) has directed this beautifully. We are from the very start introduced to a tense atmosphere which is never let go till the very last. The claustrophobic setting of an underground train has been used well to intensify the creep which can overtake you sometimes during the course of the movie. And also the train and the abandoned station looks creepy as hell. Plus the antagonist being a butcher means he has given us a large amount of gore which keeps the Gorrors happy. He with screenwriter Jeff Buhler, who adapts the Clive Barker short story by the same name, give us a pretty entertaining and gory ride into deep depths of hell from which its literally no coming back. And with it a parable of how to keep the worlds separate we have to kill. And thats not a comfortable truth. Nice work!!
 |
| Image Source |
Acting departments is full of pretty nice names. Bradley Cooper(Leon), Leslie Bibb(Maya), Vinnie Jones(Mahogany), Brooke Shields(Susan) and Roger Bart(Jurgis) are the five main characters around which this movie revolves. And I was especially thunderstruck on seeing Bradley in a movie as dark and bloody as this. Who would have imagined he would come out trumps in such a gory horror movie role? He is marvellous as the struggling photographer ready to go to any length to make his career. As he does the dirty work, he serenades his girlfriend as passionately which will make all his female fans go awww. And the forthright girlfriend played by Leslie is mindblowing. She is the anchor which has the power to save her boyfriend from the madness but in the end she also falls prey to it. Also in great supporting roles Roger and Brooke sparkle never letting this movie lose steam,even as you feel a couple of the scenes weren't necessary. But what is the strongest point of this movie? Definitely Vinnie who just rampages onscreen as a negative version of Thor destroying and butchering everything that he sets his eyes on with his trusted hammer. He looks just too terrifying with his cold piercing eyes and huge build. I am afraid whenever I meet him I definitely won't ask for a autograph. He steals the show from Bradley, but to be fair the latter has looks which makes it harder to portray such a bloody character. So Bradley does really well. Also all the others who act well and give the amazing Clive Barker story a nice cinematic adaptation. Well done!!
 |
| Image Source |
To accompany this, is some amazing camera work which captures the dark underbelly of the city beautifully. The subways and stations look damn amazing but creepy as hell too. And the dark atmosphere is alleviated by some nice music and especially its used well in a fight scene in the climax. Editing is decent as are the gory effects.
HighTension Verdict: If you are a fan of gory slasher cannibal movies ,you can't miss this. If you are a fan of Bradley Cooper than also you can't miss this. But some illogicality and a couple of unneccssary scenes may mar the experience for some. But otherwise its an enjoyable ride to hell. Not as scary but thrilling nonetheless with a great ending.
HighTension Meter: 7/10.
Best QUOTE:
Driver: [pointing a gun at Sac] Step away from the meat.
No comments:
Post a Comment