THE CABIN IN THE WOODS - Seems typical, it certainly isn't!

This week there were a couple of films that we were quite interested in seeing, but we plumped for the film we have heard is a game changer for the horror genre, The Cabin In The Woods. Game changer it may be but I have to say I would certainly not call this a horror film. It is practically a black comedy and is poking fun at the horror genre, it isn't particularly a horror film. Scream was also a black comedy but it was definitely a horror, and a hundred times scarier than this. That isn't to say though that this film is a bad movie because it's not.

I really enjoyed this film due to the fact it was different, original, funny and had some great performances. On the other hand my girlfriend was less impressed as it was silly, jumpy and really didn't appeal to her as horror is her least favourite genre. You could say I've described two different films there but that is what this film will do to audiences, it will split them. Horror fans will love it, especially if they love old school horror and believe recent horrors are generic, where as if you like new style horror you may hate this film. If you hate horror all together you probably won't understand this film. It is that crazy that you need to see it to believe it. It is a film where I can seriously not explain it to you as without seeing it you won't really understand it.

The acting throughout is very good, and considering it is ripping into the cliched horror genre, the actors are actually a lot better than those who star in the usual generic horrors. Here we care for the characters which helps drive the absurd story. The typical stoner of the group, Fran Kranz, is great in his role and brings plenty of comic relief. However the real stars of the show are those who never enter the cabin. Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford play the controllers of what is going on and their scenes really do steal the show. It is these scenes that show this is not really a horror as when they are on screen it is generally laugh out loud funny. Like I said this isn't really a horror.

The final twenty minutes twist so much that even if I told you the twist you wouldn't believe me. Although this part is a lot of fun, I had to agree with the girlfriend in that it became a little over the top and a little bit silly. It does at times hit the mark where it becomes too stupid but from what I hear in interviews with the writers, that is exactly what they wanted. Unfortunately not all the audience will get it and I heard a few people in the audience claim it was silly, or others who moaned it was too cliched. Some obviously didn't realise it was meant to be cliched.

It is a good film, however it did split us and we can only give it an average score as it will not be to everyone's liking. It is so different and brings a new twist to this sort of movie, but I don't see it changing a genre in the light that Scream did. The writing is great, the acting is great, the humour is at times hilarious, but it won't work if you don't get it or are not willing to let it take you along on it's completely absurd ride.

Pros: Original, tongue in cheek funny and unpredictable as ever.

Cons: A little silly at times which may lose audiences.

5.5 / 10


Top 10 of 2012 so far:


1. The Hunger Games     8 / 10
2. 21 Jump Street     7.5 / 10
3. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol     7 / 10
4. The Grey     7 / 10
5. Safe House     6 / 10
6. The Raven     6 / 10
7. Contraband     6 / 10
8. The Cabin In The Woods     5.5 / 10
9. This Means War     5 / 10
10. Man On A Ledge     5 / 10