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The Descent [2005]
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Spelunking hell!
Review date: 2008-09-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
Here's a fine example of that glittering creature: a small British film that punches well above its weight. As with Dog Soldiers, Neil Marshall has crafted a seminal horror film on a budget that would scarcely pay for the stars' lunches on a Hollywood set. This tightly scripted subterranean Alien cleverly examines the deteriorating relationships between six female thrill-seekers as they fight for survival deep underground. Marshall has a perfect sense of timing (you will jump a number of times), and knows how to ratchet up the tension better than just about any other director currently working in the genre. Right from the start he by turns embraces and subverts the rules and continues to surprise right through to the poignant ending.
There's something here for everyone: pretty good characterisation, nail-biting suspense, claustrophobic anxiety, human frailty, well-realised creepy creatures, and lashings of gore. It's not for the faint-hearted but as long as you enjoy a couple of hours of breathless, blood-pumping entertainment this one is for you.
At the time of writing a sequel is in production. Let's hope it's worthy of the original.
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Reviews
More tedious garbage
Review date: 2008-08-01 Rating: 2 out of 10
Imagine 'Creep' with more evil baked potato creatures and characters you almost start to care about. I'd make a pun about Plotholing but it's just not worth the effort.
Miss.
What to expect
Review date: 2008-07-14 Rating: 6 out of 10
Sometimes I think when people watch a horror film these days they expect a little too much the reality is there is very little new that a director can bring to the horror genre. A few years ago the English speaking world was treated to the Ring and suddenly went crazy for Japanese films due to the whole 'more suspense less gore' aspect of the films. Along came Grudge then along came Dark Water which (to steal the title of another film) was frankly ahem..a 'bridge too far' People made a big thing about Saw but to be honest for all the pseudo intelligent nut case it was all done before in Seven (elaborate methods of murder to punish and teach the victim a lesson etc) The point is, this film should come as no surprise when you find it has little to offer.
You can find almost the exact same format from the Hills Have Eyes down to Creep. Group of normal folk go on holiday only to be killed off by lunatics, hillbillies, mutants, inbreds etc....
That the film has an all female leading cast really had little effect on me (I guess with it being underground and in near darkness there wasn't any sexual aspect to it) and really I just didn't see any 'feminist' slant to the film nor did I see the monsters in this film as 'males' (Maybe there was some subliminal feminist motive to the film that was just lost on me)
The film has all that is needed for a good night in watching a shock/horror/gore film. Group of people hopelessly lost in tunnels and caves being picked off by blind monstrous looking things which do look like the character in the film Creep. The body count mounts on both sides as the ladies use whatever weapons come to hand to fend off their attackers (to some good effect) so you will be treated to plenty of blood, plenty of cracked skulls, fair bit of eye gouging, a dash of entrails eating and a fair bit of blood squirts from gaping head wounds.
Is this predicable? Yes. If you are looking for a horror film to make you think as well as scare you best look somewhere else. If you want a good hour and a half of shock, blood and scare then this may be the film for you.
classic british horror
Review date: 2008-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
dog soldiers director neil marshall second film is an out and out masterpiece and one of the scarist horror flicks ive seen in quite a while
amazing and terrifying-the best british horror film i have ever seen-a gem
Review date: 2008-05-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
i love this horror film...completely atmospheric and slick gore effects and superb acting.
neil marshal excels himself with this film that is far superior than dog soldiers and even beats 28 days later(love that film too)and creep(another slick film).
it is horrific but it is one of the greatest horror films ever 28 weeks later couldnt even match this standard.
a very creative horror flick and LEGendary tale that could even represent itself as THE NEW HAMMER(hammer films not the tool:))as it is even more effective than those classics(i love those films/so cheesy)
BUY IT IT IS NOT RUBBISH IT IS A MASTERPEICE AND SHOWS HOW ARTISTIC A DIRECTOR COULD BE AND IT WON THE BEST HORROR FILM AT THE EMPIRE AWARDS IN 2006 AND A BAFTA FOR THE SAME CATEGORY:):)EXCELLENT
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Saskia Mulder
Natalie Jackson Mendoza
Alex Reid (III)
Shauna Macdonald
MyAnna Buring
Creators:
Shauna Macdonald (Primary Contributor)
Natalie Jackson Mendoza (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Pathe Distribution
Manufacturer: Pathe Distribution
EAN: 5060002834633
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2006-03-20
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005-10-12
Language: English (Original Language)