(2005/UK)
REVIEW BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-NEIL MARSHALL CAST-SHAUNA MACDONALD, NATALIE JACKSON MENDOZA, ALEX REID, SASKIA MULDER, MYANNA BURING and NORA-JANE NOONE. SOURCE-PATHE DVD UK (PAL REGION 2 / 95MINS / 2006)
There nothing more scarier then being trapped in a small area that is dark and unknown. Imagine being trapped in a area that is seemingly endless in tunnels, caverns and caves that without light are the darkest of the dark. What lurks in that darkness is exactly what 6 adventurous women find out as their search for thrills in a cave system underneath and mountain range becomes quite deadly. They suddenly become trapped as the mountain shifts causing the passage way in which they enter to cave in. As they set out in search of another way out through the vast tunnel system, they soon discover they are not alone. At first from afar, being stocked by a mysterious creature. As they get closer to what they think might be the way out, they encounter this creature up close and much more personal, only to find out that it isn’t the only one.
This movie became a quest of mine to see after I viewed Bruce Hurt’s THE CAVE. A similar film only placed in a series of underwater cave systems. Though the film wasn’t the strongest, it did hold not only a great idea, but some wonderful underwater cinematography. So, as I started mentioning the movie around, someone suggested that I see THE DESCENT. I film in the same vein but only much better. So, the hunt began and when I finally feasted my eyes upon this film, that suggestion was surely the best made in a long time. THE DESCENT was not only a much better film, it also housed some of the best atmosphere in a film that I’d seen in a long time. It generally takes a lot to get me to jump during scenes, but there were a few that had me jolting left and right.
THE DESCENT is truly a step up and in the right direction for director Neil Marshall especially after his very well received DOG SOLDIERS. The whole set up to THE DESCENT was as good as it gets, giving the viewer a real sense of total despair and horror at the same time. Where Sarah, her husband and their daughter are on the road returning to the hotel after Sarah had been white water rafting. With a swift swing the car they are hit head on with an on coming car that is carrying copper piping on the roof. All of which quickly come loose spear head for their car killing Sarah’s husband and daughter. Very traumatic scene indeed and pretty much sets the pace for what one can expect throughout the film.
Now, the scenes and atmosphere in the cave scenes is another thing all on it’s own. The perfect lighting, the perfect situations and just the right amount of suspense create some of the most terrifying scenes in a horror film in a long time. The acting was very good as well especially the likes of Shauna Macdonald and Natalie Jackson Mendoza. The thing about Mendoza’s character of Juno, there is a very secretive side to her, one that is only bright to light slightly. Though much is exposed about her character during the scenes while battling with the creatures, there is still something else that isn’t presented before our eyes, only suggested. For example during the start of the film when her and Sarah are rafting and Sarah’s husband helps Juno out, taking off her helmet, all hinting as if there was something between those two. Of course that could just be me reading too much into a scene, but I’ll bet I’m right. So, if anyone has the chance to as Neil Marshall any questions, ask him that one.
The special effects of the film are pretty basic stuff, the creatures or crawlers better much looks like pure make-up jobs, and great one’s at that. Some cgi bats appear here and there, some blue screen scenes, but for the most part they relay on prosthetics. Of course this isn’t bad thing, something I rather prefer as with much of the film world getting faker and faker with the whole digital realm wreaking havoc, this is certainly something I relish when the choice is given. I must add that the atmosphere owes a lot to the crawling creatures. They truly bring some shivers to the spine as they make their way through the scenes. Especially when feeding on human meat, it’s a sight that really makes you think twice about going into a cave system and exploring too deep.
The PAL region 2 DVD release from Pathe comes in both a single disc and a two disc special edition. I viewed the single disc which has no extras on it. The main feature is great though, presented in a anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1/16x9) and is very clean and color corrected. The audio is also very well presented in an English 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS with subtitles. There is also commentary tracks with Neil Marshall and much of the cast and on another with the crew. Both are the usual commentaries, one who is not for these would easily get bored like myself. So, I would purchase the 2 disc special edition which has a slew of extras to go through.
STORY/FILM-4/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-4/5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-1.5/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-3/5 BITCH SLAPS purchase this From X-Ploited Cinema
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