Laughably bad

Rating: Null/10 (10 November 2004)

This movie seems more like a first year film school project with a big budget, than like a professional film. The acting is corny and false, the edits jump so quickly and contextually that it almost seems like a parody. However, the worst offender is the script. There are moments so preposterous in this film that not only does it break the tension, but it made me laugh out loud. At another point I actually thought, 'I hope this character does die, he deserves to for being so stupid.' Not exactly the right mindset to create in the viewer for a horror film.
The direction and the camera work are all right, and could have made for a better film. But the collapse of everything else doomed the project. Most disappointing was Cary Elwes, his performance was as floundering and weak as he has allowed his physique to become. Where is the actor from 'Kiss the Girls', 'Glory', or even 'The Princess Bride'? Danny Glover was equally bad, but he wasn't the lead so he gets a slight pass. Leigh Whannell's acting was of course the worst of all, but since I had no expectations for him it couldn't be a disappointment.
However, it turns out that Leigh actually wrote the screenplay as well. And since the screenplay is the real problem with the film we'll have to lay the blame at his feet. I liked 'Se7en' too, but perhaps he just should have watched it again and moved onto another idea.