Part tribute and part criticism of the genre, celebrating and berating the clichés with its humour.

Rating: 7/10 (26 June 2013)

Although I know Joss Whedon very well from reputation, the only things of his that are distinctly Whedon I've seen (Serenity and a couple episodes of Firefly) I haven't enjoyed, but I'm always willing to give him a chance. The Cabin In The Woods plays on the formula and expectations of contemporary horror films, pandering to them, rather than breaking them, creating a film that is comedy before horror - with only one genuinely scary scene. It's part tribute, part criticism of the genre, celebrating and berating the clichés with its humour. It's true strengths, beyond the twists and surprises that sometimes don't deliver, are the characterisations that it plays with. It's littered with great personality, particularly with its stoner character, played by Fran Kranz, and the reliable chemistry emitted from Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins. Its frequent satire alleviates the tension, making it thoroughly entertaining but not as intense or engaging as it could be, playing it safe in its self-awareness. While it's not quite as good as some people are making it out to be, The Cabin In The Woods attempts to be the ultimate horror film, and succeeds in some parts, if just in the mainstream contemporary-American part.
7/10