This is Cabin Fever Worth Catching
If you are in the unfortunate position of
having seen the trailer for this little ‘horror’ flick, then you may already
know too much. Erase it from your
memory; stop reading this review and book a ticket, safe in the knowledge that
this cabin is full of surprises that defy the clichés. But before you do stop reading, be aware that
I will reveal nothing of what is in store if you choose to see this film.
It all starts with the typical set up
familiar from a thousand other horror films.
Five college kids head off the grid to find a secluded cabin belonging
to a cousin. It’s the perfect place for
a bit of sex, drugs, swimming in a lake and getting picked off one by one in
grisly ways. So far, so Evil Dead, Wrong Turn and Cabin Fever.
But right from the opening scene, there’s
something different about this Cabin in the Woods. Who are the corporate types in the opening
scene and where do they come into the plot?
Why is there a man on a roof spying on the college kids as they set off
on their adventure? And how come these
kids aren’t quite the usual
stereotypes we expect in this kind of film?
To say any more could ruin the experience
for readers of this review. But what can
be said is that this film is an often hilarious white-knuckle ride. Horror fans will rejoice at the old school
set up and the vicious violent deaths while all viewers will enjoy the comedy,
the surprises round every corner and the clever subverting of genre
conventions.
The cast do a good job but it’s the mostly
smart ideas and the clever writing that really make this stick out. Hemsworth can deliver handsome jock while
sleepwalking, while Kristen Connelly and Fran Kranz ably tackle virginal sweet
girl and stoner shtick respectively.
There might only be the odd surprise in terms of who buys it next and
who will make it to the final frames but what will surprise are the regular
deviations from the main plot to the sinister activities of the corporate types
from the opening scene.
And if you don’t enjoy the brilliant and
hilarious bloodbath finale, you’ll need to look long and hard to find something
else that can satisfy your horror needs.
The final reveal may lack the surprise hoped for from the rest of the
smart set up but it’s a minor complaint when the ride is this much fun.
Verdict: It’s fast-paced, fresh, frightening and ridiculously
funny! But be warned: be careful what
you read/see before you go in. Blessed
is s/he that knows next to nothing about what is in store.
4 out of 5 stars
Released Friday 13th April in
the UK.
