ROGUR RIVER 2011 18 HORROR THRILLER 85 MINUTES USA HHHH

There’s nothing particularly original or even that gruesome about this intelligent, low-budget Horror Thriller, which is surprisingly and brilliant well-acted by the game cast, especially as it’s clear that from the plot that there’s kind of MISERY type vibe going on, as that’s one of the film’s best description. Maybe, just, maybe ROGUE RIVER could be a potential MISERY clone or even a sequel for that matter. ROGUE RIVER is also very tamed compared to the shocking visceral impact of THE WOMAN, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE remake, and other shocking, survivals chillers. On the day she spreads her father’s ashes, Mara (capable newcomer Michelle Page) drives to a remote part of the exquisite Rogue River in Southern Oregon. When Mara’s car is towed away by police, a mysterious stranger Jon (Bill Moseley) offers her a lift and she accepts. Whilst driving into town, Jon stops at his place and introduces Mara to his wife Lea (Lucinda Jenney). It turns out that both Jon and Lea aren’t who they appear as husband and wife seems more psychotic brother and sister or even something much more shocking. Mara becomes trapped inside their house and her worst nightmares has just began. Like what I said before, ROGUE RIVER is equally as disturbing, uncomfortable and just plain sleazy as there’s no real violent scenes of note here just visually unpleasant and nightmarish and surreal images that will cast a spine down the audience’s spine. The frightfully realistic suspense builds far more effective than actual vicious gore, although the gore on display is horrific in equal measures, involving boiling water, a few graphic gun-shot wounds and stabbings, but nothing that ardent Horror fans hasn’t seen before. Despite the film’s short running time (it’s still 85 minutes with the credits rolling), ROGUE RIVER never runs out of stream, as the shock twists come thick and fast, despite the fact that I found the whole climax buffering and confusing, so I can’t give the twist away, as I really didn’t understand it myself. Great performances, all round; Michelle Page makes for a terrific, strong heroine and you actually care about her and you want her to survive the horrific ordeal and cult TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE DEVIL’S REJECTS star Bill Moseley makes for a fantastically nasty and crazed psychotic nutcase that goes way above the usual nasty, psychotic performance and Moseley nails the role perfectly. Many devoted Horror fans may complain about the lack of true novelty and gore, but director Joseph McClure’s deeply disturbing and utterly shocking Horror Thriller is a superbly written, acted and directed Indie Horror Gem.

RICK

DEMONS NEVER DIE 2011 15 HORROR THRILLER 85 MINUTES UK HH

This cliched Brit Teen Horror Thriller does nothing new or particularly interesting in setting up a kind of Brit Slasher SCREAM or FRIDAY THE 13TH, but horribly at the worst of times comes across as SKINS, GRANGER HILL and HOLLYOAKS all rolled into one. DEMONS NEVER DIE has a likeable cast, including HOLLYOAKS Emma Rigby, Jennie Jacques (CHERRY TREE LANE), Jack Dohan (CEMETERY JUNCTION), Jason Maza (SHIFTY, FISH TANK), with Reggie Yeats (RASTAMOUSE, THE BILL) and ex SO SOLID CREW’S Ashley Walters (BULLET BOY) as laughable Detectives. But, despite a small cameo, the film is geared around the fact that N DUBZ singer and THE X FACTOR Judge Tulisa is in it, as she strangely enough appears on the front cover of the film’s poster, which wasn’t a very smart move, as she barely appears, a blink and you miss it scene. When a young girl takes her own life, a group of depressed London teens, led by Irish MISFITS actor Robert Sheehan, who plays Archie, and decides to form a suicide pact to avoid dealing with their frustrations. Unfortunately the teens ends up dying in the hands of a knife-welding, mask wearing Psycho, who obviously got a grudge against the group. Each teen must cope with surviving the horrific terror taking each other’s lives and has to come to the frightening reality that the killer is actually one of them. Brit Hoodie chillers like F, TORMENTED, CHERRY TREE LANE, EDEN LAKE has done the whole Brit Slasher thing so much better and isn’t helped by the fact that shows like SKINS or GRANGER HILL are the main influence, rather than the countless recycled Eighties Horror cliches that lurks in every single corner of debut director Arjun Rose’s wishy-washy shocker. So if you cut out all the limited gore, suspense, Horror, it’s nothing more than a tacky Teen Drama in the worst ADULT/KIDULTHOOD tradition in dire need of originality. It’s not exactly difficult to work out who the killer could be, but then again it’s not really ‘rocket science’ to work out who is a potential victim or who will be left right up to the surprising, but rather ordinary climax, that does promotes a few giggles and even a ‘who cares’ attitude. The photography is very brooding and atmospheric as it adds a very gritty realism to the mostly tedious proceedings. The whole annoying cliched British teen stereotypes starts to grate and loses credibility quite quickly. Neither brilliant nor rubbish, DEMONS NEVER DIE is definitely for a certain audience. Although that audience is not for the hard-cord Horror crowd, as Gore Hounds will be cheated by the true lack of gruesome carnage and gory invention. A near Slasher Horror disaster, with limited entertainment factor.

SAFE HOUSE 2012 15 CRIME ACTION THRILLER 115 MINUTES S-AFR/USA * * *

Ryan Reynolds is definitely up the ladder of success and to even greatness as his terrific performance here shows. The geekie, charismatic actor started his career in Comedies such as JUST FRIENDS, WAITING, VAN WILDER, HAROLD AND KUMAR, DEFINITELY MAYBE, and even Horrors such as BLADE: TRINITY, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR remake, that were all kind of hit-and-miss. Reynolds hits kind of a high after X MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, with claustrophobic Thriller BURIED, last year’s Superhero flick GREEN LANTERN. Now he’s at the top of his game and gives a career’s high, especially as he’s acting with Hollywood heavy-weight Denzel Washington, who also gives a performance that goes way above his usual best, and both actors are equally as mesmerizing on-screen, although not always together.
Set in Cape Town, South Africa, tough, rogue CIA Agent Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) hands himself into the US consulate to escape assassins and is taken to a ‘safe house’ for refuge, run by young, upcoming CIA Agent Matt Watson (Ryan Reynolds) When terrorists attack and blows the ‘safe house’ up, Frost and Watson must work together if they want to survive, but Weston is determinate to bring Frost down, but Frost has another plan and starts to question Weston’s beliefs and his own destiny.
The overall problem with Daniel Espinosa’s slick but mechanical Action Thriller (the script is all over the place) is it takes itself far too seriously and because of that, few thrills are generated (apart from the occasional thrilling car chase). The high-energy gun play and excitement starts when the two appears at the football stadium and the sudden impact of violence and suspense really picks up pace and rarely falters again. It’s a neat idea to set an American Action Thriller in South Africa, as the stunning Cape Town locations and scenery adds a gritty, sunny and tense atmosphere to the slow proceedings, and at times makes it a lot more serious, exciting, Action packed and entertaining than it already is. A later scene in which savvy Reynolds is fighting against another agent in another ‘safe house’ generates the much-needed level of pleasing violence and satisfying gore to keep boredom at bay. SAFE HOUSE is for a certain audience, that sort of grew up watching similar types of gritty Crime Action Thrillers through the eighties and nineties. But, whilst, certain audiences might be new to the new and improved and reinvented Reynolds, Washington stills acts as those he’s young at heart, as he hasn’t lost any of his youth, savviness and conviction he brought to all his earlier roles throughout his amazing career. Despite the mechanics in the plot, and the fact that it takes itself far too seriously, SAFE HOUSE is still a compelling Action Thriller, that exhilarates, excites and entertains from start to finish.

RICK

GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE 3D 2012 12A HORROR FANTASY ACTION ADVENTURE 95 MINUTES USA HHH

Completely and utterly insane, but in a good way. GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE 3D (those if felt like a 2D film as the 3D was good in parts, despite the really cool 3D STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MEANCE glasses I was wearing) goes way above the usual over the top B Movie trash, and in a way it was trash. But beneath all the negative stuff, there were loads, I can still enjoy outrageous madness and mayhem, even those it’s less Comic Book Movie/Horror Fantasy more Video Game style B Movie, with every fast-editing, jump, freeze cuts, spilt screen aesthetics you can name. Returning Hell-blazing stunt biker Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) hides out in Eastern Europe, as he’s been hired to stop the devil (Ciran Hinds, THE RITE, TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY, THE WOMAN IN BLACK) and rescues a young boy in the process. So Johnny must trust his flaming alter-ego and together with his FlameCyle, sets out to end the devil’s reign of terror and hopefully end his demonic curse once and for all. Blame CRANK, HIGH VOLTAGE, GAMER directors Mark Neverdine, Brian Taylor for that, has neither has any clear signs or directions of making a non-flashy, insane and easy to follow film (the script was written by BLADE: TRINITY director/writer David S Goyer, based on MARVEL KNIGHT, is pretty dire), they’re not that sort of directors, certainly not. Nicolas Cage is his usual self, but mocks his inner geek far to often and often over-acts as if he’s trying to phone in his dismal performances in THE WICKER MAN/BANGKOK DANGEROUS remakes; The scene where he’s trying to turn into GHOST RIDER whilst driving is kind of like Cage’s own sense of bad SHAKESPEARE style acting, you know what I mean), but Cage’s still charismatic enough to carry the film. LIMITLESS actor Johnny Whitworth is fine as the cool villain, but falters slightly when he’s turned into a white-haired decaying demon. Idres Elba (TAKERS, THOR) is entertaining rather than good as he plays a French monk, that’s half French, half Cockney, which is hysterical, if that was intended. HIGHLANDER star Christopher Lambert is wasted in his role as a tattooed monk. Whilst gorgeous flamed red haired beauty Violente Placido (THE AMERICAN) is cool and sexy as Danny’s mum. The CG effects are visually impressive, if slightly chaotic; The Action set pieces and stunts are well-staged and effective, but a little mad as the Video Game style sets in and loses some of the film’s unique style. There’s some hilarious moments of pure intentional laugher, such as Cage (also playing his demonic alter-ego) really PISSING fire, which is a bizarre image, but strangely that scene really works. The striking East European locations and scenery adds a gritty atmospheric sheen to the dull proceedings. Not to everyone’s taste, Mark Neverdine, Brian Taylor’s insane Fantasy Actioner is pure trashy enjoyment.

RICK

THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2012 12A SUPERNATURAL HORROR THRILLER 95 MINUTES UK HHH

EDEN LAKE’S British director James Watkins’s long awaited return to the Horror genre is a very welcome surprise indeed. Watkins has done a fine job of making his second feature as director (Watkins wrote, co-wrote GONE, MY LITTLE EYE, THE DESCENT 2), which is completely gore-free, but surprisingly and efficiently very scary indeed. A young grieving Lawyer Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) travels to a eerily remote community on a business trip, finds himself being haunted by the spirit of a recently deceased woman who lived in a remote house somewhere in the village, that also connects the deaths of three young girls who also died there. Arthur soon discovers sinister secrets at the centre of the spooky mystery and something truly frightening awaits for him that will haunt him for entity. STARDUST, KICK-ASS, X MEN: FIRST CLASS’S scripter Jane Goldman’s (Mrs Jonathan Ross) enthralling and absorbing script is adapted from Susan Hill’s original, popular novel (that forms the basics of the long running, West End stage hit, of the same name), and makes great and unique use of the established HAMMER HORROR staple of the Golden Age of seventies Horrors (HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR produced this, as well as THE RESIDENT, LET ME IN and WAKE WOOD), with every single atmospheric cliche intact; An Old Dark House, creepy fog, Supernatural ghost children/figures, faces, fingers at windows, sinisterly worrying locals. Okay, THE WOMAN IN BLACK is very basic, but never ordinary or cliched, because it’s so stunning to look at; The beautiful production design, creepy Supernatural sheen and exquisite photography is sublime. Also the effective sound effects deserves lots of praise, especially as there’s virtually a half-a-hour sequence with no dialogue, which is a very difficult trick to pull off, and the eerie sound effects and efficient jolts really set the tone and overall makes the second hour of the film much more creepier, suspenseful, scary and above all mesmerizing. Virtually gore-less, THE WOMAN IN BLACK goes the same way as the far superior INSIDIOUS did in extremely scary Horror filmmaking without any gore, which I suppose is a good thing and on some levels, I’d wish they were more gore-less horror films around. The main reason why I think THE WOMAN IN BLACK doesn’t deserve a full on four-stars, is because of Daniel Radcliffe’s performance. He certainly not wooden, but has a fairly likeable enough presence, but it’s so hard to take him fully seriously as he doesn’t look older enough to have a four year old child (he was 20 when he made the film), but will eventually and (hopefully) over time grows and matures into a highly talented young British actor/superstar I’m sure Radcliffe is capable of achieving. That being said, Daniel Radcliffe is the sheer driving force of sheen quality in this visually impressive Supernatural Horror yarn.

RICK

CHRONICLE 2012 12A SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY ACTION ADVENTURE 90 MINUTES USA * * *

This year’s I AM NUMBER FOUR? Not quite, although it came close to succeeding as a potential JUMPER clone! Anyway, Josh Trank’s directorial debut (Max Landis who wrote the script is son of John Landis, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON) combines most hand-held camera/found footage films (minus PARANORMAL ACTIVITY), including CLOVERFIELD, GODZILLA, TROLLHUNTER, with a hint of UNBREAKABLE and FINAL DESTINATION thrown into the fast and furious proceedings. CHRONICLE centres on three American High School Teens (Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B Jordan), who whilst investigating a cave, are blessed and possessed with extraordinary powers and abilities, and use their new gift for fun and soon learns that having superpowers isn’t all its cracked up to be and becomes potential superheroes with great ‘responsibility’ in the process. CHRONICLE is an intriguing and satisfying concept that does surprisingly work for the majority of the time and it’s a really good film to begin with, but the bizarre-ness of the craziness and the not very convincing performances or cardboard characterizations or cliched thrills let’s it down. A shame as it could’ve been in the running for best Sci Fi/Fantasy teen movie of the year. Whilst the premise is pure Superhero, there’s no real influence of any recent Superhero movies, although the whole ‘with great powers, comes great responsibility’ is clearly copied from Spider-Man. Sure the CG effects, particularly the flying sequences, which are truly dazzling to watch, but the fast, rushed editing and annoying hand-held camera gimmick is annoying and could make some people feel really dizzy, so anyone with phobias of heights, better stay away. Alex Russell who plays Matt and Michael B Jordan who plays Steve gives adequate performances and their characters are likeable enough. But Dane DeHaan who plays Andrew gives an uneven performance and his character becomes hatful and selfish as his charming nerdiness fades and becomes obsessed with his powers and uses them to punish his ‘arsehole’ father. CHRONICLE got great reviews; SFX/EMPIRE/RADIO TIMES gave it four stars, which I came very close to rewarding it; TOTAL FILM gave it five stars, definitely not that good or even that close or honest in my view. CHRONICLE remains an enthralling, fascinating, preposterous, but highly entertaining Sci Fi Adventure, that also slightly descends into Horror territory, when the SUPERHERO concept completely disappears. Unique in its setting up, with a gritty, grungy and occasionally unpleasant, grim Documentary atmosphere, CHRONICLE deserves the most praise for that alone. Despite the film’s many weaknesses, and like DONNIE DARKO, KICK-ASS, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD before it, CHRONICLE is the Cult Teen Sci Fi Movie event of 2012. Well worth watching.

RICK

JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND 3D 2012 PG SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY ADVENTURE 95 MINUTES USA * * *

This sequel of sorts to the dismal 2008 Sci Fi flop JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF EARTH (Brendan Fraser, luckily doesn’t return), is a cheesy but extremely enjoyable diversion. It’s kids and family friendly entertainment all the way, especially as Luiz Guzman who plays helicopter Gabato providing the comic relief with very little style or charm. But overall it doesn’t matter as this is unpretentious Sci Fi Fantasy Adventure very relaxed and pure and simple. Returning Sean Anderson from Journey 2008 (Josh Hutcherson), partners with his mum’s new boyfriend/step father Hank (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson), on a Adventure to find Sean’s grandfather Alexander (aging Brit Michael Caine), who is possibly missing on a mystical island, and soon learns the real secrets and discover the entire truth about the wonderful Fantasy Paradise location. The 2008 version was virtually shot in a cave and had darkness coming at you in every direction (I never saw the 3D version), this is far better, less in your face and the 3D actually suits the film as it was beyond good and some sequences with flying animals and a real scale of danger and excitement comes right up to you from the screen (at one point a spear came through my eye, which was scary and really cool). In terms of acting, it’s not that great; The annoying Guzman aside, Josh Hutcherson is growing up fast (thanks to CIRQUE DU FREAK, and the upcoming THE HUNGER GAMES) but still coming across as cocky and does tend to overdoes the really cheesy Romance with Guzman’s daughter Kaliani (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and SUCKER PUNCH’s Vanessa Hodgens). The Rock or Dwayne Johnson is a far better and charismatic actor and presence than Brendan Fraser and acquires himself reasonably well in both the Comedy and Action department in the colourful and lavish proceedings. Michael Caine gives the worst performance in the entire film and well, plays himself for the hundredth time. JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND is a fun and harmless piece of engaging popcorn entertainment that is just pleasant to watch and sometimes amazing to thrill at, especially the usually visually stunning scenery, exquisite sets and amazing sights; The highlights being when the group are flying on giant bees, being chased by a massive multi-coloured bird and a giant lizard terrorizing the group. There’s nothing remotely new here that kids and their parents alike haven’t seen a thousand times before and will see it as the same use of innovation or gag over and over again, which sometimes can be true here. But forget that, JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND 3D is a satisfying and highly enchanted Sci Fi Fable that does bring author Jules Verne’s vivid, surreal and dazzling imagination to glorious life. Well worth sitting through.

RICK

A MONSTER IN PARIS (2D) 2012 U ANIMATED FANTASY MUSICAL ADVENTURE 90 MINUTES FRA/USA * * *

Let’s face it, 2011 wasn’t a great year for Animation? CARS 2, GNOMEO AND JULIET, TANGLED, KUNG FU PANDA 2, HAPPY FEET TWO, were good; RIO, MARS NEEDS MOMS, RANGO were average; THE ADVENTURES OF TIN-TIN was disappointing; YOGI BEAR 3D was the worst Animated film of 2011. ARTHUR CHRISTMAS and PUSS-IN-BOOTS were outstanding. Let’s hope 2012 is the year that Animation can really deliver, here’s hoping! Paris, 1910, Emilie (Voiced by Jay Harrison), a shy Movie Projectionist, and Raoul (Adam Goldberg, FRIENDS, STAY ALIVE), a colourful and eccentric inventor, finds themselves embarked on the hunt for a monster terrorizing citizens. They join forces with Lucille, the big-hearted star of THE BIRD OF PARADISE and Raoul’s extremely monkey to save the monster, who turns out to be an over-sized but very harmless flea, from the City’s ruthlessly ambitious Police Chief (Danny Huston, X MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE). Whilst not an Animated masterpiece, A MONSTER IN PARIS (2D) is a good, entertaining, Musically engaging and very unusual, especially the exquisite Paris landscapes, looking like something that the highly talented British Artist LS Lowry drew. But most of all the film presents a monster, a giant flea if you like, called Francoeur that isn’t really a monster, but does slightly cut to cuteness as the monster isn’t particularly cute in any way, but that’s Animation for you, especially as the director is French Animator Bibo Bergeron, who previously directed the endearingly annoying Animated yarn SHARK TALE, back in 2005, featuring the vocal work of Will Smith. A MONSTER IN PARIS is far better and enjoyable and the engaging characters are very likeable, only with Charles the Monkey being the most annoying character or animal in the entire film, so that Raoul appears less irritating in the process. French Singing sensation Vanessa Paradis (Mrs Johnny Depp), lends her breathlessly beautiful talking and singing vocals to absolutely dazzling effect as the colourful surroundings really blends in well and the superb Musical Numbers are truly well-executed and performed, especially by Sean Lennon (son of the late, great BEATLE John Lennon), who captures a true heartbreaking sense of warmth into the trapped, scared soul, as despite his size, isn’t really a monster at all, and emerges as the star of the show, and help Lucille with million of hearts around Paris in the lavish proceedings. A near flawless, funny, slightly scary (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE INVISIBLE MAN a main influence), charming, exciting, quirky and feel-good Animated Fantasy Adventure yarn, that whilst more grounded on kids entertainment, A MONSTER IN PARIS is perfect viewing for the entire family. Well worth watching.

RICK

UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING 3D 2012 18 SUPERNATURAL HORROR THRILLER 90 MINUTES USA/CAN HHH

The fourth entry in the popular UNDERWORLD series, involving Vampires Vs Werewolves/Lycans vs hybrids is the weakest in the series so far. But in the overall scheme of things that really shouldn’t matter as UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D is an absolute blast to sit through, despite the 3D being absolutely rubbish and useless, as it really doesn’t suit the moody, gloomy, dark, gothic look. After the third instalment UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS, with TOMB RAIDER stunt double and DOOMSDAY’S cool actress RHODA MITRA, returning star Kate Beckinsale returns to her trademark Action role she cemented back in 2003 and what a spectacular return for the actress it is. Kate looks absolutely fantastic in tight black leather, sporting an amazing leather jacket, guns and bad attitude to spare. Newcomers to the Franchise, STORM and SHELTER (now that was an awful Horror film, wasn’t it) Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stern does wonders with a film series that was all centred around dark, Gothic sets, intelligent fights between Vampires vs Lycans and superb acting from a mostly British cast that includes Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen (neither of them had returned, neither had Scott Speedman, only in flashback, as Michael) and the result is a trashy, messy, and highly entertaining Horror Action B Movie. Following the same plot of the original, the on going battle against Vampires vs Lycans vs humans still commences, and this time around original Vampire warrior Selene (Beckinsale) awakens from Cryogenic suspension for 12 years, and escapes from the lap of scientist Dr Jacob Lane (Stephen Ray) in search of her daughter Eve (India Eisley) who the undercover Lycans has their eye on and prevent to stop them so they can immune to lethal silver weapons. Selene teams up with cop Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy) and Vampire David (Theo James, THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE). Forget the confusing story, and simply focus on all the trashy, gory, exciting, preposterous bloody mayhem on display and you’ll really have a great time watching. This awesomely entertaining Action Horror is geared around the return of gorgeous British actress Kate Beckinsale, looking absolutely fantastic in shoulder length hair, tight black leather, proving that whilst her acting is strongest best in Romantic Comedies/Dramas, she looks the part and delivers the Action goods in Action/Horror films, that also includes other than the UNDERWORLD films, WHITEOUT, and of course VAN HELSING. The brainless energy is generated from the start and never let’s go, as other than the dazzling Beckinsale, it’s all about the gory violence, and impressive Action set pieces, that’s whilst far-fetched, are well-executed in places, and packs an adrenalin punch when needed. The Lycans effects are pretty dismal, but only adds to the bad fun mayhem and madness on display, in this hugely entertaining Horror yarn.

RICK

THE DARKEST HOUR 3D 2012 12A SCIENCE FICTION HORROR THRILLER 90 MINUTES USA/RUS HHH

The concept of Alien based Sci Fi Horror hybrids like THE DARKEST HOUR 3D is nothing remotely new, but RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR director Chris Gorak at least gives a fresh, fast-paced new spin on a familiar concept and is all the better for it. THE DARKEST HOUR 3D often calls to mind the likes of PULSE (Wes Craven, 2006), SKYLINE and 28 DAYS LATER and is all the more effective for it. For a film that didn’t receive any Critic Screenings in America for fears of the studio not having any faith in the production is soon dashed as it’s nowhere near as bad as it should be and the end result is an enjoyably tacky Sci Fi Horror B movie yarn. Best friends Sean (Emilie Hirsch, SPEED RACER, LORDS OF DOGTOWN) and Ben (Max Mingella, THE SOCIAL NETWORK, THE IDES OF MARCH), are travelling to Moscow on a business deal-breaker and meets up with American Natalie (Olivia Thirlby, JUNO, THE WACKNESS) and Australian Anne (Rachael Taylor, TRANSFORMERS, MAN-THING), and suddenly all the lights and power goes down, plaguing the city into total darkness and cuts off from the outside world. It turns out that invisible pulse life form aliens are at work, with a point three plan for taking over the world and the group must band together to come up with some of the most strangest strategies just to stay alive. The group also includes Skyler (Joel Kinnaman) and Vika (Veronika Ozerova). THE DARKEST HOUR 3D won’t be to everyone’s taste (for completely different reasons, mainly the usual non-noticeable 3D), and most people will absolutely hate it. But with these sort of films you have to take it with a huge pint of salt and looks beyond the negative stuff and there’s some positive stuff to be found, although most people will disagree. THE DARKEST HOUR 3D is effectively well made, makes great use of the isolated, gritty, dusty streets which adds a visual atmospheric sheen to the dull surroundings and the CG effects are impressive, surprisingly considering it does rip off lots of far better ALIEN/WAR OF THE/END OF THE WORLD Sci Fi epics. Whilst I did enjoy it tones and kinds of thinks of it as a guilty pleasure, the lack of any real excitement is a major letdown, as is the cast, who don’t bring much conviction or emotional depth or content to their tedious roles; Rachael Taylor by far gives the worst performance of all, but overall it doesn’t stop the pure enjoyment as you never expect anything less and certainly nothing more with these sort of films, but that really doesn’t matter as I had a real blast watching it throughout. Like I said, if your kind of cliched guilty pleasure is a tension-free, badly acted, and above all tediously overblown mess of a Sci Fi Horror B movie, then THE DARKEST HOUR 3D is for you.

RICK