Product: The Descent (Original Unrated Cut) [Blu-ray] (2006)
Rating: 5.0
Spectacular, a bold and frightening ride
Though it has been out for a while now, I've put off seeing The Descent for unknown reasons, despite hearing such great things about it. Well, now that I've finally gotten around to seeing Neil Marshall's (Dog Soldiers, the upcoming Doomsday) bloody and incredibly frightening flick, and let me tell you, believe every bit of the hype that has surrounded it. The story involves six female friends, going on their annual battle against nature by spelunking in a remote cave in the Appalachian mountains. Sarah (Shauna MacDonald) had lost her husband and daughter the year before, and her survivalist friend Juno (Natalie Mendoza) harbors a secret. After they get cut off underground, they all soon discover that they aren't alone, and are being hunted by crawling, nocturnal fiends. While the film doesn't sound all that promising from reading its premise alone, The Descent ends up being one of the best pure and original horror films in the last few years. Marshall creates an incredibly claustrophobic atmosphere, while pouring on the shocks and gore to boot. The acting is great, and the film's climax and final images nearly elevate it above its horror roots. All in all, I'm sorry that I missed out on The Decent for as long as I did, and if you have too and have been craving a smart, original horror film that just isn't another torture fest, then you need to check out The Descent ASAP.