A Good Thrill

Rating: 6/10 (13 August 2008)

I had absolutely no expectations about this film since I knew nothing about it. This is not a film for analysis and intellectual criticism. It held my interest by the unexpected turn of the plot and the action. I agree that the party scene seems superfluous at first, but it sets the mood for a care-free hedonistic atmosphere of young people in Manhattan who are suddenly faced with death and destruction. OK, let's just say it, this film plays on our 9/11 sensitivity, and frankly, if I was a new yorker, it might have offended me. I should feel guilty for not having turned it off, but I could not. The film speaks for itself in that it reminds us not to take anything for granted as well as how fleeting and ephemeral a carefree existence can be. The sci-fi aspect is not the point. Although it is quite terrifying. The symbolism of the decapitation of the statue of liberty is chilling in view of what has happened in the past 7 years. This film is a new twist on the 1950's sci-fi films which were sublimating the fear of a communist takeover, although here it is terrorism. I agree with other reviewers on the lack of coherence and the been-there-done-that camcorder (Blair Witch) thing. However, the malaise and lack of a happy resolution make this film a cut above the "War of the Worlds" and other similar flics. The acting is as good as can be expected in this type of film and the effects are terrifying. I just have one question: who would ever have held on to their camcorder and filmed all of that while going through complete terror? But, like I said, one should not ask too many questions. Just go with it.