What THE CAVE should have been

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2006)

The director of Dog Soldiers is back with a less jokey and even more scary film. It does however retain a Brit aspect to the acting though not as heavy on the "what did they say?" accents in Dog Soldiers, and lacks any American names, which will probably unfairly limit its exposure in the United States where it has all the thrills that were lacking in THE CAVE. This is a more realistic climbing, crawling and caving movie than that, which makes it more effective. The film has personal drama and perhaps just a touch too much grimness when it's all said and done but it is miles ahead and much more involving than most horror films. Solid drama aspects and tough minded true to the heart of the matter drama also keep it ticking.
Creatures are cool and mostly briefly glimpsed. They seem to be based at least in part on some "real" cave demon photos that have been circulating, and recently discredited, on the web for the past several years.
There aren't many Caving horror movies, though this does remind me of WHAT WAITS BELOW which unfortunately fell apart when it was about half way through another film that comes to mind is the seldom mentioned, not bad, THE STRANGENESS.
Weakest element is the overblown, Howard-Shore-like music score,though it sounds great it is really all volume and little musicality. However the cave bound elements of the score, which comprise the bulk of the film and music, are effective.
Well made on a limited budget this film also shows you can make something totally pro and slick if you're clever with your concept and execution--and at the same time you'll make a movie that has scares, guts, heart and logic. What's the last monster movie you saw that can make that claim?