An Excellent Overall Horror/Thriller

Rating: 9/10 (10 January 2006)

I saw this movie the night after it came out and I was very pleased with it. I was talking about it for weeks, building it up, and it still didn't disappoint. With regards to the gore and suffering expected after viewing the trailers and hearing the rumors, it lived up to the hype and then some. If you enjoy gore movies along the lines of Saw, this will be a step up in the right direction (a huge step up).
What made this movie one to remember is that the story is not as far a stretch as you may expect. You are given the opportunity to bond with the characters, something that is often lacking in other movies in this genre. There is a buildup that creates a tension that the whole theater can feel.
Furthermore, the story does not rocket out of control as it approaches its climax. Everything within the movie is completed with a purpose and it gives the audience the opportunity to understand the escalation with clues along the way.
Most of all, as discussed by some others who have voiced their feedback, this movie actually gets better as you think about it afterwords while piecing together parts that you may have missed during the actual viewing. It's not hard to miss something when you have to turn away due to the gore and the suffering seen within.
So overall, if you are reading this, you are most likely interested in checking this movie out. I say do it out because you will not be disappointed. Finally, make sure to see it soon, as a packed theater only adds to the atmosphere. Enjoy.