The hype machine turns out a winner (for once)

Rating: 9/10 (21 August 1999)

I finally saw this movie following weeks of frustration (the movie theatres in this little backwater tend to sell out ridiculously fast). Saying it was worth the wait is something of an understatement. The hype and myths surrounding this modern horror masterpiece are, for once, understandable and well-founded. I have often been downright terrified by watching horror films alone at home on video (Repulsion, Halloween, and The Haunting - the old one - are three that readily come to mind), but this was the first instance where I was absolutely terrified in an actual theatre. The pace of the film is masterful, letting us relax and laugh fairly often near the beginning, then slowly and inexorably tightening its grip until the absolutely terrifying final moments. A great big thumbs-up to its innovative and resourceful creators - here's wishing them a lot of luck on their next film!