Product: The Descent (Original Unrated Cut) [Blu-ray] (2006)
Rating: 3.0
The Six Stoogettes Go Spelunking
This could have been a great classic of a horror movie.It has all the elements.Great plot.Incredible amount of tension, action and gore.The cinematography, effects and direction were first rate.It's a toss up whether the cave itselfor the cannibalistic humanoidswere more frightening or dangerous.Unfortunately for this group of women,the greatest danger they faced was themselves,which would be fine if it was intended,but I don't think that it was.If it was the film-makers intent to showthat, brutal and amoral as the caveand the cave creatures are,we (regular people) are worse, then well done.The creatures may actually be humans adapted tothe underground environment, which brings thepoint home.Earth to script writers!Unless you intend to appeal onlyto the illiterate and immature,character development matters.This is the extremely weak part ofthe film which is why I gave it three stars.The group of women on the expeditionwere shallow, unintelligent and unsympathetic.I did not really care what happened to them.This criticism still holds even if the filmis allegorical as some have suggested.The most virtuous character in the filmwas the cannibalistic humanoid mom risking her lifeto save her cannibalistic humanoid childfrom the imbecilic humanoid spelunkers.That's real feminine heroism.The ending is quite good, which is so often theweak part of the best of horror/terror movies.It is unexpected and poignant.[note bene: The ending may not be the samefor all versions of the film available]This is a film worth watching, but for me, once is enough.Too bad. It 'coulda been a contenda'.[fade to black...]