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Eden Lake [2008]
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Suprise suprise
Review date: 2008-11-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
Not being a fan of Brit movies I was reluctant to watch this on the advice of my sister who hasnt stopped raving about it. Well Im very gald I did! Wow! What a movie. The cast are excellent especially the leading lady and the story had me gripped from about 15mins in. Unfortunately with the horrendous teen crime wave sweeping the UK at the moment this movie could VERY easily offend many, especially with the ending, but that aside at the end of the day this is movie world and hopefully this kind of thing is not the norm. If you liked THEM! then please give this movie a go, its like a rough Northern version of it. Well done to all involved for this fantastic piece of cinema.
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Reviews
Little Monsters
Review date: 2008-11-09 Rating: 8 out of 10
James Watkins is clearly a huge fan of `The Descent.' From David Julyan's carbon copied, haunting score to Kelly Reilly's identikit blood and dirt stained make-up that mirrors `The Descent's' Shauna MacDonald to a tee. But to draw too many comparisons with Neil Marshall's gory subterranean horror is to severely undervalue Eden Lake's own intense, disturbing qualities.
This is not a happy movie. This is not even an enjoyable movie. I did not watch it and feel the need to ever want to watch it again. This however does not make it a bad movie, in fact quite the contrary. Eden Lake is so effective in its horror and suspense that it is positively hell to sit through. It begins by checking the usual boxes demanded of the couple-in-peril genre by introducing Reilly's sugar coated Jenny and Michael Fassbender's take charge Steve as a very much in love, cutesy couple about to go on holiday to have lots of sex and pillow talk. This first act set-up that lasts thirty minutes or so does try the patience, being saddled with an almost annoying pair of lead performances. Reilly comes across as a typical blonde bimbo and Fassbender comes off as a bit of a pratt. However, all of that changes the minute first blood gets shed and
their mediocre acting is soon counterbalanced by the brilliant portrayals of the ASBO kids, in particular Jack O'Connell as the ring leader Brett. A truly unsettling, terrifying performance it is to witness I assure you.
First time filmmaker James Watkins, handles the violence and escalating terror with an extremely good sense of pace and visual style. He also wrote the script which rarely reduces itself to an inconsequential stalk in the woods thriller. Throughout all the hard-to-watch torture, abuse and violent attacks there is a clear, concise and powerful message at its core. This movie wants to make us think deeply about why Britain's youth is tumbling into this dark abyss of violent behaviour and despondency, and why they have become something to fear. Basically, this story points the finger quite rightly at the environments they grow up in. In other words - the parents. It's about time a story like this got told and placed the blame solely where it belongs. Was the gore necessary in that case to make its point? I don't know. Personally, a little toning down with the graphic content could have made this more accessible to wider audiences, and it would have avoided diluting it's own anti-ASBO message at the same time. But then again that may have diminished the movie's impact. It's a hard balance to get right, but Eden Lake gives it a good stab (if you'll excuse the pun).
My biggest problems with the film were the main characters' slightly stupid decision making at urgent points - particularly Steve's need to confront the kids instead of contacting the police, and Jenny's decision to wait the whole night in the woods rather than going for help (BEFORE the damage gets done). Illogical reactions to intense situations helps create high tension but it can also scoff at an audience's common sense. Those are minor quibbles anyway. The only other detracting aspect of Eden Lake is its determination to emulate `The Descent' which really robs it of acquiring its own identity as a horror piece. Still, it's a claustrophobic, suspenseful, uncomfortable movie experience that has at least two major moments that are of a highly disturbing nature and one death scene that is surprisingly moving in the most tragic of ways. I recommend anyone to see this film, but I myself could not sit through it again.
In any case, the first ever 'chav horror' leaves a lasting impression you won't forget anytime soon.
Honestly, just go see it!
Review date: 2008-10-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
I went to see this film recently with my girlfriend and I must say we both enjoyed it. I felt a little bad for my girlfriend when it finished as the ending was certainly not a happy ending but all the same a shocking one. I agree with all the points made by the first review, this film really hits hard and oh so easy to realate to given most recent times of street violence, peer pressure and bullying.
The film keeps you gripped throughout and I must say a movie hasn't engaged me this much for a long time, I was literally shouting to the screen hoping the couple were going to get away.
Not to spoil it too much but there is a horrific scene when the guy gets totured and a young lad is burnt alive and the camera is not shy in showing this.
My advice is certainly go see this film, its gripping, scary, and leaves you wanting to watch it again. Can't wait for the dvd release.
eden lake - one of the scariest movies ever
Review date: 2008-10-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
me and my friend went to see this at the cinema recently and both found it to be one of the most scary and thought provoking films of recent times. A young couple leave London for a romantic getaway at a natural beauty spot called eden lake. After they set up camp a group of "hoodies" arrive and disturb the peace with their anti social behavior. When asked if they would turn their music down by the couple a terrifying confrontation begins as the youngsters abuse and torture the couple. This film tackles its subject head on and does not shy away from anything. Many recent real life issues such as knife crime, peer preasure, people useing their phones to record violence and the fact that parents seem to take no responsibility for what their children get up to are shown in an all to familiar way. I highly recommed this film but do not expect a happy ending, just prepare to watch a frightning story that could easily be pulled from the headlines today. Also be warned it is extremely violent.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Bronson Webbe
Thomas Turgoose
Shaun Dooley
Michael Fassbender
Kelly Reilly
Creators:
Michael Fassbender (Primary Contributor)
Bronson Webbe (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5055201805591
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2009-01-05
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 88 minutes