So going caving is pretty much scrapped off my 'to-do' list now...

Rating: 9/10 (17 July 2005)

I saw this film...this unbelievably brilliant film, last night. I haven't been able to get it out of my head.
I love horror films, the scarier the better. This film is in a league of it's own. It's the very first horror film that has not only scared me, but has actually had me upset about the characters. Yeah, when you see someone die in any horror film, you feel 'sorry' for them, but it's usually because, well, they die!, but that's it. One doesn't usually feel a connection to people in horror films, because they simply aren't made like that. This film ropes (apt word considering) you into the story, letting you get to know the characters (A third of the film isn't even in the cave, it's with the women before they set off - something I'm glad they did), thus making it unbelievably hard to watch as the situation they're in unfolds.
Yes, the film was scary - it made me jump a good few times, but it wasn't so much scary in the 'nightmare' sense. For me, the film was simply 'horrible'. What happened in it was horrible, and I found myself feeling sick with worry for the women, and I was so upset (and I mean sooo) by a number of scenes (those who have seen it will probably know which scenes I'm referring to....especially if you're a female). I think this film is ultimately a womans film. The all female cast added not only suspense (seeing women terrified is entirely more enveloping them seeing men, I find) but a sense of intimacy, which made it hard to watch.
A couple of things about this film I just didn't like. Some of the effects were a little shoddy, and something one of the characters did was just wrong in my opinion lol, but that's just me. Overall, this film is a masterpiece. An excellent premise, and one that I don't find unbelievable, which is even more frightening. The camera work was excellent, the cast was SUPERB! You absolutely have favorite characters in this film. I think especially if you're a woman, you'd relate to one or more of the characters. Special mention for Nora-Jane No one, Alex Reid and of course, Shauna McDonald.....actually, Natalie Mendoza was brilliant too....oh OK, they were all fantastic! lol.
I give this film 9 simply because of the aforementioned effects issues, and the thing with one of the characters. I won't say what, in case you haven't seen it...but I didn't agree lol.
If you haven't seen this film, go!! Especially you ladies!! If you don't come out of that cinema with a 'favorite character' and a 'sick to your stomache with upset' feeling, then I'd be very surprised.