Impressive visuals

Rating: 6/10 (13 June 2008)

Yes, the visual effects are very impressive, unfortunately, there isn't a single likable character (all through the picture, I was thinking it's a good thing they all die--made obvious by the opening title sequence). The characters are all such jerks, you find yourself really hoping for them to get killed off in really creative ways (alas, no especial creativity except for the one almost likable character who explodes after getting bit by a parasite). One of my friends kept saying, "but they're New Yorkers, of course they're asses, that's just how New Yorkers are," but I think the writers just didn't want to give us any characters to be emotionally invested in and have to change the ending because audiences thought it was too much of a downer. Blair Witch was sort of the same way--you really didn't like the characters all that much, so you didn't really feel too badly about them all dying.
On another note, I was actually surprised this got a PG-13, given how graphic a couple of the scenes are. Hopefully, the sequel will have better characters while maintaining the quality of the visual effects and maybe improving the suspense some.