A good one!

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2006)

After "Dog soldiers" I knew this guy's next movie will (also) rock! So when "Descent" hit the theaters here I didn't hesitate: I went to see it having let my expectations pretty high - and didn't have to walk out disappointed! Basically Descent is just a by-the-numbers horror movie: starts off with a tragedy, then introduces us the 6 key characters who all have different personalities so that it's more like a small society (a la Alien). They try to get their minds off past things but become prey for something evil... and as thing move on we learn that their unprocessed history, the evil WITHIN, might pose an even worse threat... etc. etc. The structure is an umpteenth variation of that used in the original "Texas Chain Saw Massacre", "Hills have eyes", "I know what you did last summer" and so on, but whereas the usual clones and remakes usually fail to get anything new out of this old mold, "Descent" succeeds. Most importantly: the scares work. Oh yeah :) The scariest movie of the year, no competition. (Can't compare to "Saw 2" since it's a thriller). Second: I don't know how this one guy wrote that dialog for all six WOMEN, but it's just perfect. Also the actresses do a fine job- but only because they were directed well! Score, photography, editing... two thumbs up. I also liked the pale, "autumnly" look of the film. Great choice, adds a helluva lot to the mood! This may come as a surprise, but yea, there was also a lot, and I mean A LOT, of blood. Violence factor is right up there with "From dusk till dawn": we got heads smashed until they literally crack open, we got the good ol' "thumbs through the eyes", slit throats, you name it. But this surplus of gore doesn't add to the film. Either the makers sort of "got cold feet" :( or then they just didn't want to sacrifice any of their sick ideas :) Usually it's the lack of gore I complain about but this time... a minor complain. Slap on the wrist. Still to sum things up a small winner all around! DEFINITELY going to buy the DVD. Definitely.