Non stop edge of seat thrill ride

Rating: 9/10 (24 March 2007)

I was initially quite sceptical about this movie. The image of a masked killer hunting down screaming teenagers as they run through their parents mansions trying escape just didn't appeal to me. However, from the moment Drew Barrymore picked up the phone in that incredible intro I was hooked. The pace and intensity so obvious in the opening is maintained throughout the entire film, which is due to Craven's excellent direction and of course Williamson's fantastic script. But the film also has another dimension for the more experienced horror film lover, it knowingly mocks past horror films in a very 90s this-is-so-lame-but-I-am-aware-of-that sort of way. Old clichés seen throughout the genre are repeated here, tongue firmly in cheek. In all, this film is entertaining from start to finish and I would recommend it to anyone, horror film enthusiast or not.