Uninspired direction redeemed by a superb storyline

Rating: 8/10 (8 April 2006)

The very best thing about this film was the storyline, which was intelligent and believable: unusual qualities in a horror movie. The special effects were also good, and the feeling of helplessness and loss of control was well conveyed. Much of the direction however could have been a lot better. The film stuck rigidly to the Hollywood conventions of exaggeration and lack of subtlety and general brashness that goes with this genre. The three central characters shouted a lot and the early Amsterdam scenes were larger than life American fantasies of degenerate Europe with everybody overacting like mad and behaving in totally stereotypical ways. The Slovak section was visually attractive and slightly more subtle, but the whole film seemed to be shot in bright light with loud and obvious background music announcing every nasty scene well in advance. I am not saying it was a bad film - of it's type it was exceptionally good - but in the hands of a better director it could have been a lot "darker" in every sense, and produced more involvement with the characters, none of whom were particularly likable, and even more shock impact from the gore scenes. It does build to a terrific climax though and horror fans should consider it a compulsory "must see".