The Descent
Caught it yesterday. I was late, the date didn't show and hasn't returned calls (which, given we're more co-workers than dates, is bizarre), but still enjoyed the movie thoroughly. Except for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre - The Beginning trailer. Why Michael Bay thinks directing this sort of thing is a good career move is beyond me.
Anyway, The Descent. I first heard of the movie about a year ago and have been biding my time waiting for its US release, having heard very good things. I love horror but am quick to distinguish between true horror and everything else. In the past, Frankenstein and Dracula were enough to terrify audiences -- now you have to try a little harder. Neil Marshall tries and, for the most part, succeeds in joining the ranks of excellent horror such as The Exorcist, Alien, and The Ring. Epstein interviews Marshall here
Pre-spelunking events set the tone for protagonist Shauna MacDonald, who is having a bad couple of years. Once into the dark, Marshall's direction evokes tension and claustrophobia well before the things enter the picture. Ego, error, terror and separation take their toll on our adventurers at a heart pounding pace -- the action may slow, briefly, but the tension flows like copious quantities of gore delivered throughout the movie.
Other good points. The movie's protagonists are six females, but it isn't a Girl Power film. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that sort of thing can be distracting, especially during a serious horror film. It's clear from the movie's start that these are tough, disciplined and adventurous women, but there's nothing gratuitous about it. Natalie Mendoza (Juno) reminds me a lot of Grace Park, from Battlestar Galactica -- definitely a positive thing. And while there are a few predictable shocks, Marshall's story avoids falling into yawn-inducing cliche. MacDonald's crawl up the "lighted path" toward the end was beautifully shot.
On the down side, I'd have been interested in knowing how such a diverse group of women (nationality-wise) had all come together. It's a minor quibble, but the more you're informed about the characters, the more likely you are to care for them. The only major issue I have is the very end point, which I'll spoil below.
Chemistry
Yeah, it's just 101, but having been out of school for...a very long time...I'm glad it's over with. Despite the absurdity of the final I aced it, and helped some others along the way. I'd like to thank this empty bottle of Diebolt-Vallois' green label champagne for assisting so ably in the celebration. The Fleur-de-Passion is much better, of course -- feel free to send me a bottle.
Descent Spoiler-ridden Ending Rewrite
Throughout the movie, Sarah (Shauna MacDonald) seemingly hears her daughter's laughter and, while unconscious, her image. Yet at the very end, after driving well away from the scene of her companions' slaughter, she sees...Juno, who certainly died. And the movie ends. That alone takes the movie from A- to B, and I can't make heads or tails of Marshall's choice here. So I've kindly rescripted the ending:
SARAH leans out of the car and vomits, then hangs her head out the window to take in the air. She hears her child's giggling, the same sound as heard several times in the cave. She turns back to see her slain daughter seated next to her.
JESSICA: Are you okay, mommy?
SARAH: Yes, honey, I'm okay. Everything is okay.
{Camera through SUV window as SARAH looks forward, smiling)
SARAH: Everything is going to be okay.
Sarah's traumatic experiences have driven her over the edge, and with the above everybody realizes it. In the movie...not so much. But still, a very good film in a genre that is all too often disappointing. Go see it.
-TTm
Caught it yesterday. I was late, the date didn't show and hasn't returned calls (which, given we're more co-workers than dates, is bizarre), but still enjoyed the movie thoroughly. Except for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre - The Beginning trailer. Why Michael Bay thinks directing this sort of thing is a good career move is beyond me.
Anyway, The Descent. I first heard of the movie about a year ago and have been biding my time waiting for its US release, having heard very good things. I love horror but am quick to distinguish between true horror and everything else. In the past, Frankenstein and Dracula were enough to terrify audiences -- now you have to try a little harder. Neil Marshall tries and, for the most part, succeeds in joining the ranks of excellent horror such as The Exorcist, Alien, and The Ring. Epstein interviews Marshall here
Pre-spelunking events set the tone for protagonist Shauna MacDonald, who is having a bad couple of years. Once into the dark, Marshall's direction evokes tension and claustrophobia well before the things enter the picture. Ego, error, terror and separation take their toll on our adventurers at a heart pounding pace -- the action may slow, briefly, but the tension flows like copious quantities of gore delivered throughout the movie.
Other good points. The movie's protagonists are six females, but it isn't a Girl Power film. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that sort of thing can be distracting, especially during a serious horror film. It's clear from the movie's start that these are tough, disciplined and adventurous women, but there's nothing gratuitous about it. Natalie Mendoza (Juno) reminds me a lot of Grace Park, from Battlestar Galactica -- definitely a positive thing. And while there are a few predictable shocks, Marshall's story avoids falling into yawn-inducing cliche. MacDonald's crawl up the "lighted path" toward the end was beautifully shot.
On the down side, I'd have been interested in knowing how such a diverse group of women (nationality-wise) had all come together. It's a minor quibble, but the more you're informed about the characters, the more likely you are to care for them. The only major issue I have is the very end point, which I'll spoil below.
Chemistry
Yeah, it's just 101, but having been out of school for...a very long time...I'm glad it's over with. Despite the absurdity of the final I aced it, and helped some others along the way. I'd like to thank this empty bottle of Diebolt-Vallois' green label champagne for assisting so ably in the celebration. The Fleur-de-Passion is much better, of course -- feel free to send me a bottle.
Descent Spoiler-ridden Ending Rewrite
Throughout the movie, Sarah (Shauna MacDonald) seemingly hears her daughter's laughter and, while unconscious, her image. Yet at the very end, after driving well away from the scene of her companions' slaughter, she sees...Juno, who certainly died. And the movie ends. That alone takes the movie from A- to B, and I can't make heads or tails of Marshall's choice here. So I've kindly rescripted the ending:
SARAH leans out of the car and vomits, then hangs her head out the window to take in the air. She hears her child's giggling, the same sound as heard several times in the cave. She turns back to see her slain daughter seated next to her.
JESSICA: Are you okay, mommy?
SARAH: Yes, honey, I'm okay. Everything is okay.
{Camera through SUV window as SARAH looks forward, smiling)
SARAH: Everything is going to be okay.
Sarah's traumatic experiences have driven her over the edge, and with the above everybody realizes it. In the movie...not so much. But still, a very good film in a genre that is all too often disappointing. Go see it.
-TTm
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
malignko:
Thanx for your comment on my set.
fatal:
hey, thanks for your comment on my set 
xx
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