I'd never gone to a horror movie before and I never would have ventured into My Bloody Valentine 3D without the promise of another great performance from my favorite actor, Jensen Ackles. I was not disappointed. As a fan of Jensen's talent it was great to watch him on the big screen creating another memorable character, but more importantly for this review, I totally enjoyed all aspects of MBV. I knew there would be blood and gore and I don't think they disappoint, but I was somehow able to distance myself from it as movie effects and concentrate on the story and acting. There were many shocking deaths and gruesome ends and the suspense leading up to them was edge-of-your-seat anticipation which should appeal to the die-hard horror buffs.
What most impressed me was the depth of the movie, the strength and cohesiveness of Todd Farmer and Zane Smith's script, and the pacing and vision of Patrick Lussier's direction. You learn all the basic facts of the mine explosion and the resulting deaths in a brilliant opening setup through newspaper headlines and voice-overs. It quickly gives you the information you need in an inventive and visually stunning way before hurling you into the story. The soundtrack throughout the movie helps reinforce the emotions and suspense, punctuating the scenes and making the action even more meaningful.
The movie starts with what I imagine is a pretty standard slasher feel, immersing you quickly into the horror, but then it takes a step back and morphs into a real psychological thriller with a tight script expertly presenting several credible suspects for the pickax-wielding killer. There are the inevitable red herrings, but the script rarely cheats, instead laying out all the clues and then twisting and turning the facts until you honestly don't know who the killer is. This is good, suspenseful storytelling and it pulled me into the characters' lives and made me want to know more about them as I awaited the big reveal.
I enjoyed the movie so much I've now seen it three times, twice in 3D and once in 2D just to see the difference. I think the movie holds up without the 3D special effects, but if given the choice always go with 3D for that extra dimension. MBV is an exhilarating thrill ride with real substance at its foundation. I found it to be intelligent movie making wrapped up in a bloody package with all the bells and whistles to make it fun. Do be aware there is an extended nude scene, but since the woman didn't seem concerned she was out in public in the buff, I quickly dismissed that aspect and focused on her peril. I think it was inserted to add one more first to the movie's credentials, and I do believe this is a movie with staying power. MBV has all the elements to make it a cult classic.
The acting is a major plus with three memorable leads and a fine group of supporting players led by Kevin Tighe and Tom Atkins. Jensen Ackles is the perfect choice to play Tom. Jensen's good looks and easy-going appeal perfectly capture the spirit of the high school golden boy ten years back while his subtle acting expertly conveys the anguish and guilt Tom has felt since making that fateful error. Tom is not Dean Winchester nor any of Jensen's other characters; instead he is a new tormented man living with the ramifications of one tragic mistake.
Anyone who watches Supernatural knows how accomplished Jensen is at conveying everything his character is feeling with just his facial reactions and most especially those eyes. He isn't afforded the screen time here that he's used so effectively on Supernatural to show the depth he's layered into Dean over four years of the Winchesters' saga, but he makes the most of the time he has and steadily reveals Tom to us and he does it through small glimpses that define the man and makes us care.
As rivals for the heroine's affections, Jensen and Kerr Smith, as Axel, the Sheriff, both do admirable jobs with meaningful glances and the inflections they give their dialogue and are stand-outs in a very capable cast. I wasn't that familiar with Kerr previously, but he has a way of drawing you into his character even when the guy is being the typical jerk. Jaime King, as Sarah, Tom's high school sweetheart and Axel's wife, does a commendable job as the small town girl, facing her first love again and all the lost possibilities while living with an imperfect life with Axel. She is real but isn't the damsel in distress. She shows a basic resilience and I love seeing a strong woman on screen, scared to death but still fighting back. All three actors, Jaime, Kerr, and Jensen sell their parts.
No one should know who the killer is before watching the movie and honestly, they could have credibly had several people end up as the killer. The suspense builds to the final climatic confrontation where the viewer is torn trying to piece together the information and determine who the killer is. I love that scene, the acting is stellar, the editing expertly cuts in flashbacks to show how it all came down, and the cinematography and direction enhance the power of the scene. The final reveal is worth the price of admission. Personally, I think they made the perfect choice for the killer and the movie plays out wonderfully.
For my first horror movie I found a great one. I've always hated stupid people doing stupid things and getting themselves killed which is how I thought most of these horror movies went, but MBV has proved that to be a false perception. Maybe I'll have to give another horror flick a chance. I hear Friday the 13th is coming.
What most impressed me was the depth of the movie, the strength and cohesiveness of Todd Farmer and Zane Smith's script, and the pacing and vision of Patrick Lussier's direction. You learn all the basic facts of the mine explosion and the resulting deaths in a brilliant opening setup through newspaper headlines and voice-overs. It quickly gives you the information you need in an inventive and visually stunning way before hurling you into the story. The soundtrack throughout the movie helps reinforce the emotions and suspense, punctuating the scenes and making the action even more meaningful.
The movie starts with what I imagine is a pretty standard slasher feel, immersing you quickly into the horror, but then it takes a step back and morphs into a real psychological thriller with a tight script expertly presenting several credible suspects for the pickax-wielding killer. There are the inevitable red herrings, but the script rarely cheats, instead laying out all the clues and then twisting and turning the facts until you honestly don't know who the killer is. This is good, suspenseful storytelling and it pulled me into the characters' lives and made me want to know more about them as I awaited the big reveal.
I enjoyed the movie so much I've now seen it three times, twice in 3D and once in 2D just to see the difference. I think the movie holds up without the 3D special effects, but if given the choice always go with 3D for that extra dimension. MBV is an exhilarating thrill ride with real substance at its foundation. I found it to be intelligent movie making wrapped up in a bloody package with all the bells and whistles to make it fun. Do be aware there is an extended nude scene, but since the woman didn't seem concerned she was out in public in the buff, I quickly dismissed that aspect and focused on her peril. I think it was inserted to add one more first to the movie's credentials, and I do believe this is a movie with staying power. MBV has all the elements to make it a cult classic.
The acting is a major plus with three memorable leads and a fine group of supporting players led by Kevin Tighe and Tom Atkins. Jensen Ackles is the perfect choice to play Tom. Jensen's good looks and easy-going appeal perfectly capture the spirit of the high school golden boy ten years back while his subtle acting expertly conveys the anguish and guilt Tom has felt since making that fateful error. Tom is not Dean Winchester nor any of Jensen's other characters; instead he is a new tormented man living with the ramifications of one tragic mistake.
Anyone who watches Supernatural knows how accomplished Jensen is at conveying everything his character is feeling with just his facial reactions and most especially those eyes. He isn't afforded the screen time here that he's used so effectively on Supernatural to show the depth he's layered into Dean over four years of the Winchesters' saga, but he makes the most of the time he has and steadily reveals Tom to us and he does it through small glimpses that define the man and makes us care.
As rivals for the heroine's affections, Jensen and Kerr Smith, as Axel, the Sheriff, both do admirable jobs with meaningful glances and the inflections they give their dialogue and are stand-outs in a very capable cast. I wasn't that familiar with Kerr previously, but he has a way of drawing you into his character even when the guy is being the typical jerk. Jaime King, as Sarah, Tom's high school sweetheart and Axel's wife, does a commendable job as the small town girl, facing her first love again and all the lost possibilities while living with an imperfect life with Axel. She is real but isn't the damsel in distress. She shows a basic resilience and I love seeing a strong woman on screen, scared to death but still fighting back. All three actors, Jaime, Kerr, and Jensen sell their parts.
No one should know who the killer is before watching the movie and honestly, they could have credibly had several people end up as the killer. The suspense builds to the final climatic confrontation where the viewer is torn trying to piece together the information and determine who the killer is. I love that scene, the acting is stellar, the editing expertly cuts in flashbacks to show how it all came down, and the cinematography and direction enhance the power of the scene. The final reveal is worth the price of admission. Personally, I think they made the perfect choice for the killer and the movie plays out wonderfully.
For my first horror movie I found a great one. I've always hated stupid people doing stupid things and getting themselves killed which is how I thought most of these horror movies went, but MBV has proved that to be a false perception. Maybe I'll have to give another horror flick a chance. I hear Friday the 13th is coming.
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