Product: The Descent (Original Unrated Cut) [Blu-ray] (2006)
Rating: 3.0
Gorgeous movie
"The Descent" features some relative rarities in horror film. We have all-female cast, whose names we actually learn early in the movie. And the women are competent human beings, by and large, who are not present in the movie solely to trip, fall and get rescued by men. The cast can act, again something that is not altogether common in the genre. And the film is shot beautifully, both outside and inside the cave. Undoubtedly the cave was shot on a soundstage with entire walls of the cave chamber missing, but you really get an idea of claustrophobia. It's hard to effectively light a movie that is supposed to take place underground without making it look harsh, or providing too much ambient light, but the lighting people succeed admirably.However, the ending is a cheat, as far as I'm concerned, and knocks a star off what I would have given it otherwise. I won't spoil it for you. Maybe you'll like it, but I thought it really invalidated most of the film. In some respects, "The Descent" is similar to "Silent Hill" - another horror movie with female protagonists, gorgeous cinematography, good acting, but script and ending problems. If you liked "Silent Hill", you'll probably like this, and vice versa.Still, problems aside, "The Descent" at least worth a rent if you like horror films.