An enjoyable tongue-in-cheek analysis of the horror genre

Rating: 8/10 (29 May 2012)

Before somebody told me that this movie had more clockwork beneath the surface than just a goofy horror movie, I had no intention of seeing it. When I finally did get to see it, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
What you get when you see this move is a critical analysis of the whole horror movie scene. Even the title "Cabin in the Woods" is a cliché ribbing of generic horror films.
The major difference between "Cabin in the Woods" and other horror-movie parodies such as "Scream" or "Scary Movie", is that this one does it with a sense of flair and imagination that it adds a new level to seeing a film, by asking the question; "What if there's more to the story than meets the eye?" The characters are stock as far as horror movies go. There's a jock, a promiscuous young woman, a pure and innocent girl, a nice guy with strong morals, and the quintessential stoner.
When you watch this film, pay attention to the imagery used, such as the symbol which appears on a necklace and on the floor of the stone chamber. This and other symbols tell us that there is more going on in this movie than is ever told to us.
Best thing of all about this movie? It actually gives you some thrills! It still managed to be a genuinely eerie movie, even though it is really just slanting the entire genre.
The actors, whose rolls don't necessarily need to be acted to perfection, do a decent enough job. These are not rolls that were meant to be played with 100% conviction and seriousness, and that does come across.
The basic story is, Five teenagers take an RV to an old run-down cabin and get more than they bargain for. And the cows go moo, and the guy gets the girl, and blah-blah-blah you've seen it before.
Don't go into this movie expecting anything, but do take it all in. This is not the kind of horror movie you pop in while trying to fumble through your dates sweater buttons. Sit down, and watch the movie. If you enjoy films as much as I do, you will appreciate this movie.